Chapter 6007

Rania stepped close enough for him to catch the faint scent of osmanthus in her hair. Her brows drew together.

“Mr. Fay, you don’t look well. Have the manor duties been working you too hard?”

The comment struck too close to home. Even through the disguise, a dull heaviness lingered in Quentin’s borrowed body. Jared masked the discomfort with a slow breath, quietly impressed by how sharp her instincts were.

He folded his hands into his sleeves and let out a measured sigh.

“Thank you for your concern, Ms. Rania. The City Lord has ordered tighter security, and the clerks keep stacking scrolls on my desk. I’m afraid it’s starting to show. How may I assist you?”

Her gaze softened. Curiosity shifted into excitement, a private idea flickering behind her eyes.

With a subtle flick of her wrist, she dismissed the guards and maids to a respectful distance. Leaning closer so only he could hear, she whispered, half thrilled, half uneasy, “Mr. Fay, the other day I—well—borrowed an ancient fragment scroll from Father’s study.”