The Heart System Chapter 476

That vivid scene just wouldn't fade from my mind. The way Mana brought her hand crashing down on Chase as if he were insignificant. The crack of bones breaking, ribs giving way beneath the immense force, blood spraying in all directions. It was savage. Sure, the man was a despicable sort, but witnessing a death so vicious was on another level altogether. Meanwhile, a different side of me kept replaying the image of Jasmine and the other girls bound in that chamber, utterly vulnerable, and that side harbored far less remorse over Chase's demise.

Nevertheless, the recollection continued to replay endlessly in my head, rendering any focus utterly impossible.

The documents scattered across my desk appeared as if they were inscribed in some foreign tongue I couldn't comprehend. I gazed at them steadily, my eyes gliding over rows of words without truly absorbing a single one. Though my sight fixed on the files, my mind wandered far away.

Mana's chosen subject. The mightiest goddess of them all.

Precisely what implications did that hold for someone like me?

"Damn," I whispered to myself, massaging my temple. "Is she planning to end me or something?"

The nearby elevator dinged open, and Amelia emerged. She straightened her sleek glasses while approaching my desk, her typical stern look firmly set. Spotting me, she offered a brief nod, and briefly, her features eased a touch.

"Evan," she greeted. "Hey."

"Hi," I responded, easing back slightly in my seat. "What's going on?"

"Are we still set for the driving lessons?" she inquired. "If that timing still suits you."

"Oh yeah, definitely," I affirmed. "When's your break?"

"Right now," she stated. "You?"

"If the boss allows it," I replied while rising from my chair, "then right away too. Hold on a moment."

"Okay."

I headed to Nala's office and pushed the door open. She lifted her gaze from the stack of papers on her desk, evidently poised to reprimand the intruder for barging in unannounced. But upon recognizing me, her face lit up with a smile.

"Evan?" she queried. "What's the matter?"

"I'm heading out briefly," I explained. "Driving lesson with Amelia. I'll return in roughly thirty minutes."

"Of course," she agreed without hesitation. "Go on."

"Thanks," I said. Then I bent forward a bit and dropped my voice. "Love you."

She peeked toward the corridor before murmuring in response. "Shh... love you."

I let out a soft laugh and shut the door after me.

As I returned to Amelia, she glanced at my expression and instantly grasped that Nala had given the go-ahead. She brought her hands together in a single clap, visibly thrilled.

She was genuinely eager to master driving.

Yet I had to concede, this session wouldn't be laid-back. I needed to probe her about the man who'd appeared earlier, pretending to be her dad. The one who'd called himself Jack Hitch. Should he prove to be the K I was hunting, I had to uncover his motives.

"Ready to head out?" Amelia questioned.

"Yep," I confirmed. "Let's move."

We made our way to the elevator, and I hit the button. The doors slid apart with a gentle tone, and we entered. I selected the ground level.

The descent passed in silence, save for the subtle melody emanating from the overhead speakers. Amelia pivoted a tad, inspecting her appearance in the wall mirror, tidying her hair and repositioning her glasses. I remained standing, fingers lightly interlocked before me, staring downward in anticipation.

The elevator arrived, and we exited. We traversed the lobby and passed through the sliding entrance doors.

Outside, the atmosphere seemed milder than the previous day. Gentle snowflakes tumbled leisurely from the sky, swaying in the air, while a soft gust swept across the parking area. It felt serene, the sort of climate that didn't make you second-guess venturing out.

We descended the stairs and arrived at my jeep. I flung the keys to Amelia, and she snatched them deftly. We climbed in.

She drew in a deep breath, set the mirrors properly, and ignited the motor.

"How about taking the main road today?" I suggested. "Solid practice."

"I'm not certain that's wise," she countered, clutching the wheel firmly.

"It'll work out," I assured her. "We'll exit the lot and aim for that traffic circle."

"Okay."

She eased the vehicle forward through the parking spaces, her gaze locked intently on the path ahead. Her fingers squeezed the steering wheel with such force that her knuckles whitened.

"Relax," I instructed steadily. "You're gripping it too hard."

"Oh." She eased her hold somewhat. "Sorry."

"It's typical," I reassured. "Just unwind. I'm here beside you. Should trouble arise, I'll step in."

"O-okay. Thanks."

A faint alert from the system pinged in my thoughts, notifying me of two points gained from the exchange. I had no issue with that bonus. If only Ivy proved this straightforward. After revealing the truth about Chase to her, my score with her plummeted to minus ninety-nine somehow. That girl defied belief.

I dismissed the idea with a shake of my head. For now, my attention had to stay on Jack Kuinn.

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WOMEN - INTERACTIONS

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Jasmine: Interest: 40 / 60★★

Kayla: Interest: 38 / 40★

Tessa: Interest: 40 / 60★★

Kim: Interest: 100 / 100★★★★★

Delilah: Interest: 75 / 80★★★

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100★★★★★

Mendy: Interest: 20 /40★

Nala: Interest: 100 /100★★★★★

Penelope: Interest: 5 /20

Minne: Interest: 38 /40★

Ivy: Interest: -99/20

Eleanor: Interest: 25/40★

Amelia: Interest: 12/20

Esme: Interest: 60/80★★

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Amelia approached the parking lot's outlet, scanned the street, and joined the flow cautiously once it was safe. She proceeded at a measured pace, brimming with eagerness yet tinged with anxiety.

"So," I ventured offhandedly, "do you recognize anyone by the name Jack Kuinn?"

She halted at a stoplight and turned to me, arching one brow.

"No," she answered. "Who's he?"

"A fellow who appeared here several days back," I detailed. "He insisted he was your dad."

"My father?" she echoed, wearing a puzzled expression. "Impossible. He's passed away."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too."

Her brow furrowed a bit. "That's kind of unsettling. Got a picture of him?"

"No," I replied. "Security alerted me because of the inquiries. I descended, chatted with the man, and escorted him away."

"Jack Kuinn..." she murmured softly.

"Spelled with a K," I clarified. "Kuinn."

"Huh," she remarked. "That name rings no bells. Did he present himself that way?"

"No," I said. "He gave his name as Jack Hitch."

She rotated her head toward me gradually, evidently taken aback.

"Hitch?" she probed.

"Yeah."

"That was my father's last name," she revealed.

"What?"

"My mom split from him a few years ago," she elaborated. "He was my stepfather."

I reclined a touch in my seat. "Hold on. Your stepfather showed up here?"

"I suppose so," she conceded.

A chorus of horns blared from vehicles trailing us. The signal had shifted to green, unnoticed by Amelia. I gestured ahead.

"Light."

"Oh." She accelerated promptly, propelling the car onward. "Why on earth would he visit here?" she wondered, eyes fixed ahead. "I don't get it."

"You two aren't close?" I inquired.

"No," she affirmed. "Far from it. Mom ditched him ages ago. Haven't spoken since."

"I see."

She fell silent briefly before looking my way once more.

"So, who's this Kuinn fellow?" she pressed.

"Unrelated matter," I dismissed. "No need to fret over it now."

She inclined her head in acknowledgment.

"Alright," I pressed on, "Jack Hitch. Your former stepfather."

"Not anymore," she corrected.

"Right," I acknowledged. "Not anymore."