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Okay, Julie had definitely known.

As I realized the meaning of her words, confusion spread through me.

How on earth had she ended up in one of the closets?

“Julie,” Emely sighed, and something seemed to occur to her, because she made a face. “But never mind.”

I didn't know how to respond. A sheepish “I'm sorry...” eventually slipped out because I had never intended to betray Emely. But she would never have allowed this to happen.

Now it was too late anyway. I had been caught. Again.

Julian would laugh at me now.

“No need,” she just laughed, and I looked at her in confusion as she walked over to the dresser and opened the top drawer. “Did you find something?”

In disbelief, I watched her rummage through the first drawer, opening file folders and turning pages. Then she looked at me again. With raised eyebrows.

“Don't look at me like I've lost my mind.” She shook her head, put the file back, and took out the next one. “I'm tired of my uncle's secrecy and don't know what I can believe from him anymore.”

If that was true, did she want to team up with me now?

“With you, I never really know when you're joking and when you're serious,” I admitted honestly, still unable to break out of my stupor. A kind of hesitation paralysis that I had picked up at some point as a child.

The annoying itch returned to my wrists, accompanied by the irritating throbbing inside my head, and I pushed the thought aside.

“Do I look like I'm joking?” she replied seriously, waving the black file folder in the air, her eyes glowing slightly.

“Um... no…”

She took the folder back in both hands and continued flicking through it.

“Good. Then that’s settled.”

Somewhat dumbfounded, I turned away from her so that I could still see her and bent down to open the bottom drawer of the desk.

I hesitated, waiting to be pulled away from the desk. Nothing happened. Emely remained silent.

She was really serious.

I cautiously began to lift the papers Alarik kept here and realized with disappointment that they were old insurance policies and hospital bills.

“Just to be clear.” I turned my head to Emely in alarm, expecting a lecture. “I don't distrust you. I might not know what to think of you, but I can't blame you for your chaotic fate.”

Well… how… reassuring?

Having Emely against one was exhausting. I could understand why she clashed with so many people. But if she said that, it must have taken a tremendous amount of effort. After all, it was Emely Copeland.

“I want to be part of your missions.”

I slowly closed the drawer and turned my head to her, still squatting.

Had she really just said that?

Emely continued rummaging as if it were her daily routine.

“Say that again.”

“For God's sake, Bayla!”