"Who are you? No unauthorized personnel allowed here."
The two security guards wore faces full of vigilance and suspicion.
Nora Scott frowned, thinking that there hadn’t been any notification requiring her to verify her identity, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue with them. So she said, "I’m with the project team."
"You?"
The guards gave her a once-over, as if seeing sothing absurd.
The guard next to him, with a cold expression, said, "Even if you’re lying, make sure the lie’s credible. Everyone in the project team is an expert or professor; I’ve never heard of a girl. If you’re really with the project team, call soone to confirm your identity; otherwise, you’ll have to return the way you ca."
Normally, the guards wouldn’t use "girl" to describe Nora Scott.
Today, Nora wasn’t dressed up, her face bare, wearing short sleeves and pants for convenience while assisting Julian Linfield, with her hair tied high and a backpack tossed over a shoulder, looking like a 20-sothing college student full of youthful energy, showing no sign of societal influence.
As soon as she reached the door, she was t with a rejection. Nora, not exactly patient, felt her hands itch.
At this mont, a low voice ca from inside—
"What’s going on?"
The speaker was a man who looked quite young, dressed in a casual suit, tall and slender, with a distinct atmosphere of aloofness and indifference, clearly not the approachable type.
"Captain Ford." One of the guards looked back, imdiately lowered his head to greet him, and explained, "Captain Ford, your timing’s perfect. A girl claiming to be from the project team showed up; would you mind checking if she’s legit?"
Ryan Ford’s thin eyelids fell as sharp eyes swept toward Nora Scott, then he frowned.
Recomnded by Julian Linfield, the high-profile celebrity arrived late, ignoring all calls and ssages after being notified, as if expecting everyone to cater to her.
"No idea who she is." Turning his gaze away, Ryan Ford coldly stated, "If she’s from the project team, have her contact Richard Carter. If she can’t reach him, kindly ask her to leave."
Without a shred of rcy, Ryan Ford headed to the car parked in the courtyard, opened the door, and shortly after drove away.
"Being part of the project team and Captain Ford doesn’t recognize you..." The guard looked Nora over, considering just throwing her out but gave her so face, "We won’t force you out. Go outside and call Assistant Carter. If he cos to get you, you can co in. If no one does, please don’t disturb our work."
Looking down on others.
Nora Scott sneered, her gaze following the departing car.
Just great.
As the guard said, Ryan Ford couldn’t possibly not recognize project team mbers, given that he reviews all personal information handed in. That glance clearly recognized her, his claim of not knowing her was just a way to express his displeasure and give her a hard ti.
Already caught so insight from Richard Carter, didn’t expect as a captain he judged people without scrutiny... just so-so.
As the guards eyed her fiercely, Nora calmly pulled out her phone and dialed a number, imdiately speaking, "Your grandmother has arrived, co out to greet."
The two guards: "..."
The person on the other end: "..."
Hanging up, Nora put away her phone, casually stood to one side, hand in pocket, patiently waiting for the "grandson" to escort her in.
Soon, a man erged from the villa, spotted Nora, and imdiately swore, "Damn, who the hell kept you outside?"
With that shout, the guards were visibly shocked, turning to see a heavyweight from the underworld, tattooed and shirtless, swathed in a tank top and shorts, storming out, the two swallowed hard and unconsciously stepped back half a step.
——They had a distinct impression of this man.
His attire and aura made him stand out among a group of experts and professors, leaving a lasting impression at first glance.
In terms of position, he was equivalent to Ryan Ford. While Ryan Ford was the team leader of the design group, this man was the team leader of the engineering group.
In other words, Ryan Ford’s team was responsible for the blueprint design, whereas this man was responsible for the actual engineering operations. But he was the only one to co from his team because the project hadn’t officially comnced hence bringing a whole practical team was futile.
They didn’t know his na, only heard others call him—Shaw.
"Ryan Ford."
Nora tossed the backpack to him.
"That son of a bitch is inhuman." Catching the backpack, Shaw naturally cursed, fiercely glaring at the two guards, shouting, "Get lost, this is my grandmother, hurt her and I’ll wallop you."
"..."
"..."
The guards instantly stepped far aside.
The man perceived as intimidating by others bent over, humbly inviting Nora into the villa.
As they entered, the two guards exchanged glances, cold sweat trickling down, feeling they’d narrowly escaped calamity.
"This grandmother..." One guard started speaking, realized he was influenced by Shaw, felt montarily awkward, and exclaid, "That girl, she doesn’t seem simple."
The other guard rolled his eyes at him, "Being this guy’s grandmother, how could she be simple?"
"..."
Seems about right.
*
Escorting Nora respectfully into the villa, Shaw, still ingratiating at Nora’s side, turned and grabbed a hired servant, glaring fiercely, demanding, "Where’s Mr. Carter?!"
In the dead of night, suddenly seized by soone like him, the servant felt more distressed than encountering a ghost, his legs shaking, quaveringly asking, "Do you an Assistant Carter?"
Shaw frowned, "Yes."
"He-he-he..." The servant, scared out of his wits, stamred, "Maybe on the second floor."
Releasing his collar, Shaw patted his shoulder, saying, "Go, fetch him over."
"Right."
The servant eagerly nodded, turned, and fled hastily.
Shaw dominated the first floor, rummaging around, asking for drinks and snacks, keeping everyone on their toes. Although he considered himself fairly amiable, his underlying nature was evident; even a flirtatious gaze was twisted into a threatening deanor, his every move revealed a rugged bandit-like aura, a thousand tis more intimidating than Nora’s.
Pushing the drinks and snacks towards Nora, Shaw wore a smile full of charm, intending to chat with her when he noticed she was happily engrossed in her phone.
"Grandma!"
Shaw’s shout was as powerful as Nora’s bamboo flute.
Nora’s hand trembled, she shot a cold look, "Keep your voice down!"
Shaw hurriedly lowered his voice, resembling a thief, "Grandma, I thought you arrived last night, I rushed here a day early. Where’d you go, why just now arriving?"
Taking a sip of orange juice, Nora casually replied, "Visited a friend’s place."
Shaw’s involvent in 1101 was sothing Nora knew long ago. This project was challenging, both in terms of design and implentation. Ordinary engineering teams dared not tackle such projects, due to risks including possible sacrifices.
Shaw, being Nora’s personal craftsman, had countless skilled subordinates, capable of handling the project. But he valued his subordinates’ lives, initially reluctant to accept until he heard Nora joined the project. Thinking Nora’s design drawings wouldn’t fit anyone else—not worthy—he promptly took it up.
This man who complains Nora’s issues are countless but leaps for joy when handed her designs, is just a sucker for pain.
"Oh," Shaw nodded, "I tell you, the other day I took a project, the engineer was incompetent—"
"Captain Smith."
Richard Carter arrived sweating profusely, called out Shaw, then noticed Nora, exclaiming in surprise, "Nora?"
"My grandma’s na is not yours to—"
Nora kicked his calf.
Shaw ceased his remark tily.
"Speak properly," Nora cautioned.
"Right."
Shaw nodded briskly, obediently.
Richard Carter: "..." This world seed a bit fantastical.
Shaw was a troubleso character, competent yet obstinate. Those he disliked, he ignored completely, especially loathing scholarly academic types. He was unnecessarily spoiled, always thinking scholars weren’t real talents unless proven otherwise.
Richard Carter had interacted with Shaw a few tis, each encounter felt like dealing with the underworld, always questioning reality afterward.
Just finished bathing, upon hearing Shaw sought him, he rushed through dressing to co down. Unexpectedly, upon arrival, not only was Shaw there but also Nora.
Wasn’t he hearing Shaw call Nora... grandma?
Oh, and following Nora’s orders so faithfully.
Richard Carter thought he surely was dreaming.
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