Chapter 326: One Month Later
“I didn’t expect Angie to have such a past,” Mila said, feeling a bit down.
“The old lady died from a cold. Yes, just a simple cold. Anywhere else in Country A, it would have been a minor issue, but on Wind Island, she lost her life.”
When Kevin walked in from outside, he saw Paige standing there and addressing Nick, “Nick, if you truly want to pursue her, you can. But you need to figure out what she likes. She doesn’t like perfume; she prefers to stockpile a lot of cold medicine.”
What kind of girl likes to hoard medicine? Hoarding medicine is only for one reason…
Nick, sitting there, slowly lowered the pillow from his head, his face pale. “Paige, I’m serious.”
“…”
Paige remained silent, simply staring at him coldly.
Nick, under her gaze, no longer had his usual playful demeanor. “I get it, Paige. I won’t act so carelessly from now on. I’ll focus on the work, and I’ll do my best to rebuild the slums.”
That way, Angie won’t need to hoard cold medicine anymore.
“Good that you understand.” Hearing his words, Paige felt slightly relieved. She had deliberately mentioned Angie’s past, including her incontinence, to test Nick. Since he showed no signs of retreating, it seemed like there was some genuine sincerity behind his quick pursuit.
“Paige, since you’ve chosen him, I’m sure his character isn’t too bad. You can rest assured,” Kevin said as he walked in with a large bag of medicine, trying to ease the situation. “Since Peak Club joined us, there’s been a lot more laughter in Temple in Heaven.”
Even though rebuilding the slums is tough, there needs to be some joy on the way. People can’t stay too tense all the time.
“Thanks, Kevin, but this time, it’s my fault. Paige was right to scold me.”
Nick accepted the reprimand sincerely and stood up, looking at the medicine in Kevin’s hand. Kevin handed it to him. “Take this up to the severely injured.”
“Got it.” Nick picked it up and headed upstairs.
As Paige watched Nick’s retreating figure, she said softly, “I have to say it-Angie has suffered too much. She can’t afford to get hurt again.”
Angie is serious, rigid, and cold, with a highly sensitive heart. Even one wrong word from Nick could hurt her.
“You, huh? Always trying to protect everyone under your wing. Just how big are your wings?” Kevin teased.
“If I can protect them, I will. Come on, let’s talk business.”
Seeing Kevin reminded Paige of the matter at hand, and as they walked out, she explained to him what the muscle man had confessed.
Under the sunlight, leaves fell from the trees in the courtyard, creating a carpet of dry yellow on the ground.
Kevin leaned against a tree trunk and, after hearing her out, crossed his arms and chuckled. “It sounds like the person behind all this operates a lot like you.”
“But it can’t be about rebuilding the slums. There’s only one motive-self-interest,” Paige said coldly.
“Have you thought of something?” Kevin asked.
“This person needs the Artisans to stir things up, which means their power, or the force behind them, can’t openly appear in public,” Paige explained. “That leaves me with two possibilities.”NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
“Let’s hear it.”
Kevin looked at her calm face.
“First, an external force wants to infiltrate Country A. So, this force needs an entry point-something like the financial groups fighting each other or internal chaos in the country,” Paige said.
Hearing this, Kevin’s expression grew serious. “That’s a pretty major issue, potentially involving international conflict. What’s the second possibility?”
“The second.”
Paige stepped on a fallen leaf, causing it to crunch underfoot. “This force knows that once it shows up in The Capital, it will be seen as a threat. So, it needs the financial groups to tear each other apart before it can enter The Capital openly.”
Something akin to the existence of the slums, but with power far beyond that.
Kevin understood her point. “You want me to investigate?”
“Whether it’s an external or internal force, we need to investigate thoroughly. I won’t feel at ease until it’s eradicated,” Paige said firmly.
No matter what, she had never wanted Country A to descend into chaos. This force’s ambitions were too dangerous and had to be dealt with.
“It might be hard to trace,” Kevin sighed but added, “I’ll fly back later today. I’ll mobilize everyone I can to look into this.”
“This force has existed for at least 24 years,” Paige added.
“So you’ll need to investigate a group that’s been around for 24 years or more.”
“24 years? Is that something the prisoner told you?” Kevin asked, confused.
“No, but my biological parents are likely involved in this group,” Paige said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Kevin was stunned and looked at her in shock. “Then you…”
“Investigate,” Paige said, her tone firm.
Regardless of what role her parents played in this force, she needed to find out.
Seeing her unwavering determination, Kevin knew there was no point in arguing. She always had a plan. He nodded. “Got it.”
…
That day, Kevin returned to the southern region.
The nine members of Peak Club coordinated their efforts, suppressing the various financial groups, while Artisans found themselves engulfed in a scandal over a drug controversy, drowning in public criticism.
A month passed quickly.
On the surface, The Capital remained relatively calm.
The weather was growing colder, but the rare sunshine brought a pleasant mood. Paige was sitting in Enrico’s private villa, soaking in the sun.
Unlike the withering world outside, the villa’s gardens were filled with rare flowers and plants, specially cultivated to bloom even in the cold, making the place a beautiful oasis.
Paige sat on the front steps, basking in the warm sunlight, her eyes half-closed. Eventually, she leaned back against the man beside her, enjoying this rare moment of peace.
“I’m planning to formally take over the Gustin Group financial conglomerate before the presidential election,” Enrico said, sitting beside her, glancing down at her resting on his shoulder.
She had her eyes closed, her face glowing with a soft, golden hue from the sunlight. Her skin was fair and translucent, her long lashes fluttering slightly, and a faint smile curved on her soft lips. She was clearly in a good mood.
“Mhm, that sounds good,” Paige replied softly.
“You’re not against it?” Enrico asked. She had always urged him to take things slowly, but he was feeling impatient.
“I reviewed your latest two project decisions. They were excellent. You even managed to reclaim the port that was originally yours from another conglomerate. You’ve thoroughly assessed your subordinates and employees, replacing quite a few,” Paige said as she leaned against his arm, her head resting on his shoulder. “You’ve got both courage and intelligence. Even if you return to the business world now, no one will dare underestimate you.”
Despite only having memories up until he was nine and not even knowing many English words, he had managed to gain control over the conglomerate in just two months. Though he wasn’t as proficient as before, it was far beyond what she had expected.
Luckily, this was the man she loved.
Otherwise, if they were enemies, she wouldn’t have the peace of mind she enjoyed now.