Simon Adler took a deep breath. The words "so uncivilized" were on the tip of his tongue, but for so reason, he swallowed them back down.
But flipping him off was one thing; Mia Grant didn’t actually leave.
Simon Adler looked at her. "You’ve had your say. Feel better now? So, are you planning to co with ?"
"I will, but I have one condition." Mia Grant held her head high, seizing control of the conversation once more.
"Na it."
Simon Adler seed to have a great deal of patience now.
Mia Grant stood before him, blocking the light from one side. With his long legs crossed, Simon Adler leaned back into his chair, the picture of leisure.
He tilted his chin up slightly, looking at her.
"What is it you want?"
"I’ll go, but I need you to guarantee my safety."
"Done," Simon Adler agreed readily.
He didn’t hesitate at all. Mia Grant paused, unable to stop herself from asking, "You’re agreeing just like that? Can you really protect ?"
"Once I’m in the Hughes family’s ho, there’s no turning back. How can you guarantee it?"
"I have my thods. Or... what did you have in mind?" ’She’s asking like this, so she must already have a plan.’
’What a little fox. She looks all dazed and innocent, but she’s actually cunning as they co—always calculating.’
’It’s only those guys who see her as a helpless little bunny, completely wrapped around her finger.’
"You find a way to move into the Hughes family’s ho as well. Furthermore, I want your bodyguard, Lee. And I need to sign an agreent with you."
"If anything happens to while I’m staying with the Hughes family, you will be held fully responsible."
"..." Simon Adler was taken aback for a mont before scoffing. "And what’s in it for ?"
"That’s not my problem. You can always refuse. You go back to Portia, I stay here. It’s as simple as that."
"From now on, whether I live or die, whether Silas Grant lives or dies—it will have nothing to do with you."
After a long, tense stare, Simon Adler agreed.
"Fine."
"One more question. I can’t be away from Jynsia for too long right now. When is Silas Grant getting married? I need a specific date so I can plan my return for my exams."
At her words, Simon Adler’s brow twitched, his gaze roaming over her. "Are you really going to let him get married?"
"It sounds like you think your exams are more important than his wedding."
"Is that sothing I can decide?" Mia Grant’s lips twisted into a smirk. "What say do I have in the matter?"
"This is all up to you people, isn’t it?"
On the way back, Simon Adler glanced at the group of burly, intimidating n across the way and chuckled. "Are you planning on bringing them along? That many people make for a conspicuous target. Be careful Silas Grant doesn’t find out."
Mia Grant paid him no mind.
’These n are my ace in the hole. I’m not stupid enough to completely trust Simon Adler.’
’It’s not like we’re close. Even husbands and wives go their separate ways when disaster strikes.’
’I have to leave myself so options.’
"Zelo."
She returned and smiled at Zelo.
He imdiately stepped forward. "Miss Grant, are we heading back now?"
Mia Grant shook her head gently. "A word, in private."
The n exchanged glances, and Zelo followed her. "Alright."
By the window, Mia Grant kept it brief.
"I’m still going to Portia, and I might not be able to return for so ti. So, I need you all to ensure my safety."
"No problem." ’That’s simple enough.’
Zelo didn’t hesitate.
Mia Grant slowly exhaled. "It might not be as simple as you think. The protection I’m talking about will, in all likelihood, be from a distance."
"I’m going to the Hughes family’s estate. I need you all to be stationed nearby, ready to move at a mont’s notice."
"I know it will be dangerous and a huge hassle, but if anything happens to , I absolutely need you to charge in and save imdiately."
After a pause, Mia Grant asked:
"Can you do that?"
Zelo’s eyes flickered, but he nodded without hesitation. "No problem!"
"Just one thing... about the boss. Should you give him a heads-up? We’ll have to report this later, and on second thought, it would probably be better coming from you."
"Okay."
"Also, could you please explain the situation to the n from the Sinclair family and Yates Donovan?"
"Let’s use a different way to communicate."
Zelo didn’t move. After a mont of hesitation, he unbuttoned his jacket, pulled out a burner phone from inside, and then took off his wristwatch. "Keep this phone hidden on you. If it’s discovered, use this watch to contact us."
"Also, last ti... didn’t the boss give you..." Zelo raised his hand and made a gesture.
Mia Grant nodded, then said, "But I don’t have it on ."
’Actually, Yates Donovan took it.’
"I’ll get you another one after we land."
"...Okay."
Before takeoff, Mia Grant sent a ssage to Kian Keller, Yates Donovan, Felix Sinclair, and Ian Sinclair.
She had ant to send a broadcast ssage, but sohow she’d accidentally created a group chat with them.
Mia Grant gasped.
’People always make mistakes when they’re in a hurry.’
’I have to kick them out before anyone notices!’
But Ian Sinclair seed to have nothing better to do and popped up imdiately.
[What’s this group?]
[Babe?]
"..."
The first-class seat was spacious, but Mia Grant was leaning against the window, her hands trembling with anxiety as she typed: [My hand slipped, my hand slipped! Everyone leave the group, quick.]
The mont she sent it, a ssage from Felix Sinclair ca in: [Are you still at the airport?]
Mia Grant’s mind raced. If the Sinclair family also had people watching her, didn’t that an Felix Sinclair could find out she’d been at the hotel all day just by asking?
She sucked in a sharp breath.
And she had told him she was at school.
A vein throbbed in Mia Grant’s temple. There was no ti to explain now.
Because with Yates Donovan’s appearance, the group chat had already descended into chaos.
Fish: [Good evening, everyone~ Have you eaten yet?]
Mia Grant: "..."
’He certainly warms up to people quickly.’
Taking a deep breath, Mia Grant typed, deleted, and retyped her ssage before finally sending it.
[Your n are all with , and they will be accompanying to Portia. For the duration, I need them to be under my command and follow my orders. Acknowledge if you’ve received this.]
CY: [Acknowledged.]
Felix Sinclair: [Okay. Be safe.]
Fish: [Roger.]
Kian Keller was still nowhere to be seen. ’Is he not paying attention, or is he just lurking?’
[One more thing I need to tell you all.]
[This ti, I’m going to the Hughes family’s ho. So, I need you all to keep my travel plans a secret. Don’t tell my brother. Under any circumstances.]
The group chat fell silent for a mont.
The flight attendant was already announcing that phones needed to be turned off. Mia Grant quickly typed out one last ssage: [We’ll talk in detail after I land. Rember, do not tell my brother I’m in Portia, and keep it a secret from the public as well!]
* * *
At one o’clock in the morning, the plane landed at Portia Airport.
After disembarking, Mia Grant followed Simon Adler toward the exit.
As they walked through the VIP passageway, Mia Grant was lightly bumped on the shoulder before she even had a chance to look around.
"Oh, my apologies."
’That voice... it’s Zelo!’
Mia Grant glanced over and saw that Zelo had changed his clothes at so point. At the sa mont, she felt a sudden weight drop into her shoulder bag.
Sothing had been placed inside.
Zelo was already walking away.
Mia Grant clutched her bag, scanning her surroundings.
Travelers rushed past. Zelo and his n had blended seamlessly into the crowd, as if they had never been there at all.
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