Waylen stowed away his phone and responded with a smile, “Please express my gratitude to Mr. Williams. However, I find myself entangled in an important matter in Duefron, leaving me no spare time for a meal with him."

While engrossed in their conversation, Dudley approached.

Dudley Williams, an elegant entrepreneur in his early forties, reached out his hand to shake Waylen's, expressing his enthusiasm.

“Waylen, your performance in court was outstanding. As you have pressing matters to attend to, I won't insist on your stay. Nevertheless, the next time you visit Heron, please do allow me the pleasure of treating you to dinner."

“Absolutely,” Waylen replied gracefully.

Dudley held Waylen in high regard and promptly instructed his driver to transport Waylen to the airport.

Given the considerable delay of Jazlyn's flight, she opted to accompany Waylen back.

Before the plane departed, Waylen made another call to Rena.

To his dismay, her phone remained powered off!

His brow furrowed, and he surmised that something must have transpired.

*

In Duefron.

Rena spent the entire day at home.

She provided unwavering support to Eloise, who was experiencing emotional turmoil.

In the evening, Rena prepared a meal. During the course of dinner, she said softly, "I am meeting someone later. Vera introduced him to me. I believe he might be able to offer us assistance."

Eloise was skeptical.

Rena tenderly held her hand and reassured, “I assure you, I haven't deceived you! I simply want to give it a try."

Perhaps Rena's deception was so artfully executed that Eloise found herself believing it.

Following their dinner, Rena retreated to her room and retrieved a large box, from which she extracted a photo album.

Carefully opening its pages, a photograph of her mother during her youth graced its surface.

Rena caressed it gently, a touch filled with longing.

Her mother had passed away when she was merely ten years old. A year later, her father married Eloise.