Brendan’s other two bodyguards stood behind Sam. They clearly had their own opinions about the entire incident, but even they knew better than to speak loudly between themselves.

“What the hell has been up with Mr. Brighthall lately, man? He’s been acting like he lost his soul and his will to live just because a blind-*ss woman went missing,” one of them whispered. He was wearing a look that was not subtle by any means. “You don’t think… he’s fallen in love with that freak, do you?”

“Bro, you’re really acting like this couldn’t just be the concern and worry of a decent human being,” the other man replied. “Come on, man. Mr. Brighthall and that freak? It’d be like an elf prince marrying an ogress, bro! Hell, I bet there are ogresses who are even more pleasing to the eye. She looks like a pile of shi—”

“Shut uuuuuuup!” Sam suddenly snapped, shattering his self-imposed silence.

His eyes were wild with fury. It was genuinely unsettling to see someone famous for being approachable and