Chapter 705

　　Third person's POV 　　Deep within her heart, she knew that if it weren't for Wilmot's relentless efforts to gather the funds and ransom her from that terrifying predicament, she would have been ruined, cast into an endless abyss of darkness from which she would never emerge. 　　"I failed to protect you, Ms. Hartley," Derek's voice was deep and hoarse, tinged with self-reproach. 　　He had been standing there for some time, a thick layer of snow accumulating on his shoulders and hair, making him appear somewhat weary and forlorn. 　　Tabitha walked slowly towards him, each step light and deliberate. 　　Derek watched her approaching figure with an inexplicable sense of unease. 　　His heart was in turmoil, wrestling with uncertainty over whether Tabitha had guessed his true identity and how she might react if she knew everything. 　　Would she be angry and accusatory, or would she leave resolutely, or do something else he couldn't fathom. 　　The silent night seemed to freeze the cold air, with no