Zoey composed herself, her features hardening into a mask of calm.

"You should leave quickly. Once I've gathered the money, I will come find you. Until then, don't wander around and avoid being seen by the Capital Guard.

Sensing the concern in her voice, Oliver was relieved. Women, no matter how sharp they might be with others, always seemed to lack a certain sense when it came to their husbands.

After all, which woman didn't long for her husband's love?

"You must hurry," he urged, "three days, at most."

Zoey feigned hesitation, as though the request weighed heavily on her. "Given our current circumstances, as you well know, how could I possibly gather 3,000 silver coins in just three days?"

Oliver's eyes gleamed with resolve. "Isn't Courtney a part of the Hell Monarch's household now? I know you have your ways. I'll wait for your word. But remember-three days! And don't tell anyone about it, not even Mom or Viola."

With that, he pulled his hat low over his face and turned to leave in a hurry.

As Zoey watched him go, her face turned icy. She immediately followed him, but when she saw that there were no Capital Guard patrols outside, she held back from calling out, fearing it would alert him. She was also worried he might take civilians hostage and escape, putting innocent lives at risk. If he managed to escape, it would be much harder to track him down later.

She hurried back to Skye Embroidery and found Alana, then pulled the latter aside.

"Ms. Alana, you must go to Lady Carissa at once. Tell her that Oliver is hiding at Glowmere Sanctuary under the alias Reuben."noveldrama

"Understood. I'll go immediately," Alana responded, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Zoey called, stopping Alana for a moment. "Tell Lady Carissa not to make a spectacle of it. Have her send a few people to investigate quietly. I fear Oliver might be testing me."

Although the search was intense now and Oliver had no way out, they still had to be cautious to capture him. This was Zoey's only chance. If the operation was successful, Carissa could request Salvador to reward Zoey. With that, Caspian and Cedric could return to the capital with the Hell Monarch.

"I understand. I know what to tell her," Alana said, nodding before she rushed off.

Zoey returned to her room, sinking into a chair, her mind unable to find peace. Hatred and anger churned within her, tormenting her thoughts.

How dare he come looking for her?!

He really dared to come looking for her!

He was so sure she would care about their marriage and do everything she could to protect him. All the years of maintaining appearances, of swallowing her anger, must have made him believe she loved him deeply deeply enough for him to dare come and trample on her once more.

A knock sounded at the door, followed by Viola's voice. "Zoey!"

Zoey took a moment to steady her emotions before rising to answer the door.

Viola stood on the other side, her face flushed with frustration. "Where have you been? Why are you only just returning? Oliver found me."

Zoey's gaze sharpened. "When?"

"Just today, when I went out to fetch medicine for Mom. He stopped me and asked how things were going with the money."

"What did you tell him?"

"I couldn't say I hadn't managed it. I

told him Khad a thousand silver coins, but that I would need a few more days to gather the rest. promised I'd give him the fulD amount soon."

"Did he say where he's staying?"

"No. He just told me not to tell you."

Zoey's expression hardened. "He came to me too. He wants me to gather 3,000 silver coins for him." Viola paused, taken aback. "He went to you? But he told me not to tell you!"

Zoey's jaw clenched so tightly that her back teeth ground painfully. "He asked you for 3,000 silver coins, and asked me for the same amount. If we actually helped him, he'd have 6,000 Silver coins in his hands. How cruel! We've already fallen solow, and he wants us to sink even further by owing others so much money."

Clever, but not very smart. Oliver didn't realize that when people were

pushed to the edge, they would

discard their grudges with each other and stand united against a common enemy. en

Viola stamped her foot, her voice tinged with fury. "Oliver is trying to ruin us!"

"What's there to be afraid of? We weren't going to give him anything," Zoey snorted.

Viola's eyes reddened with frustration. "We're living in the capital as beggars, and Mom's sick. He must know all of this-how can he be so heartless?"

"Stop with the useless talk," Zoey said sharply. "If he had any real affection for us, he wouldn't have done any of this."

Viola slumped into the chair, melancholy clouding her face. "Even if he doesn't care for us, surely he would think of Mom and his children."

Zoey fell silent, her mind racing. She could only pray and hope that Carissa would be able to find Oliver.