Chapter 269

The next morning, Emmett dragged his suitcase into the living room. He saw two people already sitting at the table having breakfast and forced a slight smile. Plastering on a grin, he braced himself and walked up to say hello. “Mr. Chavez, Mrs.

Chavez, good morning. It’s such a lovely day. If you have no other instructions, I’ll head to the airport. You two take your time.

Bye, Yve.” With that, he was ready to make a quick getaway Emmett was dragging her suitcase to the airport early in the morning, all because of that guy, Frankie.

Jeremiah casually handed a dumpling to Yvette and looked up. Watching Emmett as if he were about to take off running. He calmly asked, “Did you create the group chat?”

Yvette was focused on her bowl of dumplings, glancing up at the flustered Emmett.

Last night, Frankie took a screenshot of Emmett’s message in the group chat and sent it to Jeremiah. It worked out well–at least for Frankie–because the result was that Emmett got assigned to take over the gold mine project in Afria, while a was pulled back to Mysonna. If there was ever a perfect example of “brotherly loyalty,” Frankie showed it to the, fullest.

Cold sweat ran down Emmett’s back in an instant. He thought, ‘Isn’t this just adding insult to injury? I swear that the small group chat was only created back then to help save Jeremiah. Who could’ve known that Frankie, that bastard, would use me as a trade to get back to Mysonna?‘ What a heartless move. When Emmett got back from Afria, the first thing he’d do was head to the States and castrate him.

Emmett quickly explained, “Mr. Chavez, I created this group when you went missing in the rainforest to help keep everyone in contact, definitely not to spread gossip. You have to believe me.”

Yvette finished her last dumpling. She shot him a quick glance, tapping her toes. She thought, ‘Isn’t this a self–confession?‘

Emmett clearly hadn’t realized what he said that was wrong yet. His face was full of sincerity. Jeremiah looked at him with a knowing smile and said, “Not bad.” And with that, he waved his hand.

Seeing the situation, Emmett immediately grabbed his luggage and bolted outside. In just a few seconds, he was gone, leaving behind any semblance of his cool demeanor. Forget being aloof; right now, escaping was the most important thing He thought, ‘Didn’t I just see the look in Jeremiah’s eyes, like he wants to stab me? If I don’t run now, when will I?‘

As for what Jeremiah called “not bad,” Emmett only realized how off that sounded after he got on the plane. Something felt wrong about it. When he arrived in Afria, he understood. What was supposed to be three days of work had turned into half a month. Being stuck in that godforsaken place felt like his limbs were about to start atrophying.

Not only that, but the miners there took a liking to Emmett, constantly shouting that they wanted to have his kn without expecting anything in return. Emmett’s body and mind suffered greatly from it, and for quite some time after he returned, he felt a wave of dread every time he saw a woman. When it comes to harsh punishment methods, Mr. Chavez unmatched. After that, the group chat never had any gossip again.

At the dinner table. Yvette’s phone suddenly buzzed. She glanced at it, and it was a message from James. He wanted to take her on a tour of the physics lab. Yvette was silent for a few seconds, then typed the message and sent it. [Okay.

Jeremiah glanced at her. He smiled slightly and softly asked, “Any plans after dinner? Do you want to come to the military base with me?”

Jeremiah was very busy. Even though he was technically on leave, he still had plenty of military duties to handle. At his level, taking a vacation doesn’t really make any difference. He’s been busy with the visit from Ybaulla to Clusia, squeezing out time wherever he can Yvette lifted her gaze, her eyes dark and bright, calm like a deep pool. She thought, ‘Why do people keep wanting to take me to these secret places? The National Physics Lab, the First Military District–is this a place ordinary people can visit?‘

Yvette smiled slightly, her voice was cool and clear. “I can’t go, I have to visit the physics lab with James later.”

Jeremiah’s hand paused for a moment, gripping his cup. His expression deepened, and his voice dropped low. “He’s taking you to the physics lab?”

Yvette nodded freely, “Yeah, I think we’re just going to browse around.”

Jeremiah took a sip of water. He nodded and didn’t ask anything else. Yvette was actually busier than him, not taking a break wouldn’t have brought her to the physics lab.

since she arrived in Betrico. James must genuinely like Yvette, or else b Besides the researchers with clearance, only James has the authority to take someone in.

Jeremiah stopped, gazing at her face, and exclaimed with a sigh, I always feel like you don’t need me.”

If he hadn’t heard it firsthand, it would be difficult to believe those words came from such a strong and cold man like Jeremiah.

Maybe this is the insecurity in love, Jeremiah never thought there’d be a day he would feel this way.

Yvette paused briefly, her brows slightly furrowed, her slender white wrist resting carelessly on the table. She gazed casually at Jeremiah and said, “Jeremiah, I’ve never been the type of woman to wait around. I don’t need to rely on anyone else. True strength is what really matters, and that’s how I’ve lived my life. Being in a relationship isn’t going to change who I am, so stop reading those cheesy romance novels Andrew gives you.”

Yvette’s fingers tapped lightly on the table, her collarbone looking stunning beneath her shirt. She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering with a playful tease. “Saving a damsel in distress? No way. But a damsel saving a hero? That, I might consider.”

Her words were both bold and arrogant, yet no one could find a reason to argue. Yvette was just that strong, with the confidence to back up every word she said.

Jeremiah coughed awkwardly. He thought, ‘How did she discover those novels I had so carefully hidden?‘

Jeremiah looked at her intently. Even in casual clothes, he exuded an air of elegance and nobility. His handsome, calm profile seemed to glow with a soft golden light. His gaze lingered on the slender curve of Yvette’s exposed neck, and his thin lips pressed together slightly. Such a beautiful neck, yet without a mark, it felt incomplete. In a deep voice, he said, “I’m yours.

Whenever you feel like saving me, I’ll be right there, ready for you. However you want to save me, it’s up to you.”

Something about his words felt wrong. Yet Jeremiah’s expression remained completely sincere, as if he were being entirely serious. In reality, though, he was already steering the conversation into suggestive territory.

Yvette sat back in her chair, crossing her legs, a cold glint in her eyes. This old man had become more and more secretly flirty ever since he got a taste. At the slightest disagreement, he’d turn straight to suggestive talk.

**

At the Terrell residence. Ronald Terrell, the patriarch, used to oversee the national finances. However, due to health issues, he has now retired and is enjoying his later years at home. He, along with Jase, James, and Walter Moore, have been fighting alongside each other since their youth, forming a deep bond through their shared struggles. The four of them get together every so often to catch up and reminisce about the past.

At this age, gatherings become less frequent, so whenever they set a date, they make it a point to meet for coffee and chat about their recent lives. Today was one of those scheduled times Jase was the last to arrive; he was the busiest among the four. James sat on the sofa, leaning on his cane, and his expression darkened as he saw Jase come in with Yusef. He couldn’t put on a good face when that brat from the Chavez family had stolen his newly recognized granddaughter. He might as well dream of having a pleasant demeanor.

Jase wore a dark suit that was both elegant and stunning, custom–made just for him. A closer look revealed that all four of them wore outfits made from the same material and craftsmanship, clearly from the same tailor.

Ronald said, “You finally made it, Jase. It’s not easy to see you these days.”

Walter nodded in agreement and said, “That’s right. You need to take it easy with your old bones. Don’t pretend you’re still