Chapter 93

Renata's temper flared. She strode over, grabbing the handle of the bassinet.

“Santino, Latisha just had a miscarriage. How could you let her look after Jaden?"

The unspoken question was clear: what if Latisha, seeking revenge, decided to harm the child? It was a telling sign of her own guilty conscience, an acknowledgment of what their family had done to Latisha.

Santino glanced at Renata and offered a placid smile. "I have to go out for a bit. You should get to bed early, don't wait up for me."

"Going out again? You're not coming back tonight?" A flicker of disappointment crossed Renata's face. He was gone from dawn till dusk every day, and she had no idea what he was doing. She'd had him investigated, but there were no other women. He barely interacted with females at all, not even clients. He was so meticulous that she could never find any leverage, yet the uncertainty left her feeling insecure every single day.

"We'll see. Clifford called me."

"Oh." She believed him. Santino wouldn't lie about something like this, and Clifford certainly wouldn't cover for him.

Without another word, Santino turned his gaze back to Latisha. “Latisha, would you like to come with me?"

"Why would you take her?" Renata snapped, her anger rising.

"She has to go home eventually, doesn't she? After I see Clifford, they can go back together.” Santino's smile was gentle, his expression completely open.

Renata's grip on the bassinet tightened, the veins on the back of her hand standing out. She couldn't even force a smile. “She already said she's staying here for a few days."

“Is that so?” Santino feigned surprise. “My mistake, then.”

Latisha quickly signed: *I'll go with you.*

That was the last straw for Renata. She shot Latisha a venomous glare, her composure finally cracking.

This mute had just declared she was staying, and now she was leaving the second Santino asked. What was she trying to prove? Was this a deliberate provocation, or was she just afraid of the trouble she'd be in if she stayed?

Ignoring Renata's murderous stare, Latisha kept her eyes fixed on Santino, as if seeking his final approval.

Santino nodded. "Then let's go together."

Latisha offered a faint smile and signed, *Thank you.*

"Don't mention it."

Renata watched their exchange, her expression a whirlwind of emotions. If looks could kill, Latisha would have died a hundred times over.

Latisha followed Santino out of the villa, paying no mind to the woman behind them whose face was Contorted with age.

Co theme. Just as the car

door was closing, she faintly heard the sound of something shattering in the living room.

She instinctively glanced at Santino, but his face was serene. Either he hadn't heard

or he simply didn't care.

The drive was silent. Latisha wasn't

worried he would try anything; Santino didn't strike her as a man driven by greed or lust. She was afraid of him only because of the way he looked at her-like a predator lurking in the shadows, watching its prey she didn't know what kind of beast was hiding there a wolf, a ̈ fox, or maybe a hawk. It was the fear of this mysterious, unknown threat that unnerved her.

Santino pulled up to the office building. After getting out, he even walked around to open the door for Latisha, but she had already stepped out.

“Latisha,” he said, "are you coming up with me, or would you rather find a place to wait for him down here?"

Latisha scanned the lobby. Most of the employees had gone home for the day. The reception desk was

empty and the dim lighting cast a cold deserted glow over the

expansive space.

She signed: *I'll wait for him in the lobby.*

“Alright. I'll head up, then."

Latisha nodded, watching him disappear around the corner toward the elevators.

Santino went up to the CEO's office and knocked. The door was ajar, so he pushed it open and walked in.