Closing the Net

A while later, Declan asked, “You can understand?”

“Yes,” Valerie uttered after hesitating for a moment. “I'm not sure why, but I'm interested in medical texts.”

She can lie without a hitch.

Declan stared at her, chuckling abruptly, then reached out to ruffle her soft hair. “You're actually quite smart.”

Valerie didn't know how to retort.

Why do I have a feeling that he wasn't praising me? But it'