"It doesn't matter if it's the Edwards family or not-now that the imposter's in trouble, a lot of people are going to start looking for the real Nicole White. Sooner or later, Alicia's going to be exposed. That puts her in real danger." Yvonne Harrison fell silent for a moment, then looked at Sean Quinn. "Find someone for me. The candidate has to fit all the criteria. We need that unstable patient-the one Brandon White wants deadâto cooperate, just enough to provide a temporary stand-in for Alicia."
Sean nodded. "Honestly, that's probably the safest option we've got right now."
By finding a decoy for the real Nicole, there'd be no need for Nicole herself to step forward and admit anything. Just a single hint, a thread of evidence, and people's attention would shift to the stand-in instead.
The problem was... this was a dangerous game for the decoy.
If Brandon and whoever's backing him set their sights on the decoy, there was no question-she'd be at risk.
"Find a girl who's sharp, someone with strong instincts. Pay her well." Yvonne's tone betrayed a tinge of reluctance, but she knew that for the right price, there were always people willing to take on dangerous work.
The decoy's job would be less like playing the victim and more like acting as a bodyguard-drawing the enemy's attention away from the real target.
"Understood." Sean gave a short nod. "I have someone in mind. She's an orphan- adopted at age five, raised by foster parents in Thailand. Grew up fighting underground matches there. She might look delicate, but she's tough as nails-did a stint as a mercenary, too. A few years back, I saved her during an operation overseas. After I left the service, she came back to England and started working for me. She's my only female bodyguard, and the one I trust the most."
Yvonne paused, considering.
She knew exactly who Sean was talking about-Mae. That was just a codename; no one seemed to know her real name.
Last year, when Yvonne attended a meet-and-greet with her fans, Sean, wary of any threats, had Mae shadow her as protection.
Mae was striking-short, neat hair, and an androgynous air that made her stand out. Her eyes were cold, her face unreadable; you could tell at a glance she'd weathered more than her share of storms.
But as a woman, Yvonne's intuition told her one thing: Mae was in love with Sean.
Mae had been by Sean's side for years. She was one of the few people he truly trusted.
"Is she reliable?" Yvonne asked.
This needed to be airtight. Trust was non-negotiable.
"If she isn't, no one is," Sean replied, certainty in his voice. "Back when I was undercover in Southeast Asia, she discovered who I was. They tortured her for three days, but she never gave me up."
net
Yvonne nodded but pressed further, "You do know that girl's in love with you, don't you?" She was always thorough, never left anything chance. Like the time she suspected Alicia Shelton might be her
niece-she'd yanked at
and
ordered a DNA test on the spot. She wasn't one for guessing games.
"In this line of work, you trust the people you hire or you don't hire them at all. I just want everything on the table. Feelings aren't torture, but sometimes they're the most dangerous thing." When Sean just stood there, speechless, Yvonne continued.
Sean was quiet for a long time. He wasn't the type to pick up on subtle hints. If anyone else had joked that Mae liked him, he'd have laughed it off. But Yvonne wasn't anyone else, and he trusted her judgment.
wno
et
Thinking back, he said, "She's always stuck by me. At first, I thought she was just repaying a debt. Later, I figured it was for the money-l pay her well, after all. But now that you mention it, maybe I should reconsider. She's never overstepped-never crossed any lines. Even when I've had too much to drink, she always brings another guy along to pick me up. She knows how to keep things professional."
That was just Mae-she knew where the boundaries were.
"She keeps her feelings hidden well," Sean admitted. "Even the people who work with us every day have never guessed. How did you notice?"
Sean looked genuinely surprised.
"A woman's eyes give her away when she's in love," Yvonne replied. "Remember when that crazed fan rushed at me? You jumped in front of me but Mae's job that day was to
protect me yet she instinctively shielded you instead. The look in her
eyes-there was no mistaking it. That's when I knew."
Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent)
Chapter 375
Our Her
Switched Maroon
The Confedith We
The Heiress Acts Mischievously, But Her Family Can Read Her Mind
Chapter 347: Administering Drugs
Switched Marriage The Coddled Little Wife
Chapter 538: Unimaginable