Chapter 190: Veiled Concerns

Mariana's suspicions flared like a hornet awakened from its nest. Hailey's sudden desire to spend the night felt like another one of Tiago's manipulative schemes. "Hailey, is this another arrangement by Tiago?" she questioned, her voice laced with concern that edged towards accusation. Hailey's eyes widened like a startled doe caught in headlights. Surprise morphed into unease that flickered across her face. "No, Mariana. Absolutely not," she confessed, her voice tinged with a tremor of apprehension. "It's not that at all. I just... I don't feel comfortable with you being alone in this town, especially with everything going on at the factory, and Sophia's sudden appearance here on top of it all." Mariana's worry receded slightly, like a tide pulling back from the shore, at Hailey's explanation. "Did someone tell you about the factory?" she inquired, a hint of relief softening the edges of her voice. Hailey nodded, her expression serious. "Daphne filled me in. She said there's someth