Winnie gave a terse reply, speaking less than three sentences throughout the conversation.

Xavier and Josiah only heard her uttering “yes” and “okay,” in a foreign language.

Although they did not know the content of the discussion during that phone call, both of them noticed her facial expression had turned more solemn than before.

Xavier was worried about her. “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”

Winnie gazed at him and slightly furrowed her brows.

Although they promised to trust and not lie to one another, she had yet to be able to confide in him entirely.

She scratched her forehead and said, “It’s nothing. I’m just feeling a little anxious because we are about to cross the border.”

“Don’t worry.” Xavier lifted his hand to rearrange Winnie’s stray hair strands and smiled faintly at her. “Even if the sky collapses, the taller people will be there to hold it up, and you will always have my support no matter what.”

“Don’t forget about me!” Josiah made a gesture of comparing their heights and chirped at Winnie, “See? I’m taller than you too.”

She glanced at them and nodded. “Let’s go.”

Soon, they entered a small village in northern Manchernius.

Winnie followed the coordinates provided to her by Lucas and arrived at a local inn.

As that village was near the border of Chanaea, most locals there were fluent in Chanaea. Hence, communication was not an issue there.

Winnie talked to the inn’s owner and confirmed the booking of the room Lucas had placed in advance. Josiah saw that only one room was reserved, so he secured the room next to Winnie’s.

Subsequently, the party moved to the second floor.

They chatted while walking upstairs.

Xavier asked Winnie in an undertone, “Where is the person your friend helped you to find? When will we meet up with them?”

She looked down at her wristwatch. “Soon. They should be here looking for me in approximately half an hour.”

“Half an hour, you say? That’s perfect. I shall go in and take a shower first.” Josiah tugged at the front of his shirt and could not help but grumble, “This place is too hot. I really cannot stand the temperature here. You two can take a stroll here. I want to go back to the room first.”

With that, he jogged ahead.

A few moments later, Winnie and Xavier heard the sound of Josiah unlocking the door.

However, in lesser than three seconds after he pushed the door open and entered the room, Josiah was seen to be gradually stepping back out with his hands raised.

Winnie and Xavier exchanged glances and knitted their brows instantaneously.

The few mercenaries who were dressed like locals beside them swiftly placed their hands around the back of their waists. All of them seemed ready to spring into action at any moment.

Winnie also immediately retrieved a small silver handgun from her boot shaft and hid it in her pocket.

Sensing her intention to move forward, Xavier grabbed her arm at once and pulled her to one side. “You should stay back for now. Let them check out what’s going on first.”

Winnie frowned. “But Josiah is there. I’m a woman, so I’ll appear more approachable. I will check out the circumstances first, and if things turn south, we’ll let the mercenaries handle the situation. We should minimize being caught up in a conflict with others at a place like this.”

She spoke adamantly, and with that, she pushed Xavier’s hand aside and strode forward.

Upon arriving at the doorway, she saw someone pointing a gun at Josiah’s head while the latter was so nervous he did not dare to make a sound.

the gunman’s face, she swiftly let

He was

you are Mason, and I believe you should be familiar with

I’ve seen a photo of you. You’re my boss, Ms. Garland.” said

right.” Winnie understood how a smile could go a long way, so she pointed at Josiah while flashing a grin. “This is a friend of mine who is accompanying me this time. He

to explain, he said, “I received news that you’ll be coming alone, and when I arrive, this room next to yours was

brought along a few more companions prior to my departure. Where is the rest of

current mission is to safeguard and assist you. You don’t have to bother yourself with anything

he also summoned his other teammate

memorize our faces for the time being. My other teammates are staying upstairs.

straightforward person, Mr. Mason. Tentatively, we should meet up half an hour later, but since we’re

He nodded

before turning around

she saw removed a black handbag

said to Winnie, “Mr. Marsh told me to give this to you. Please

proceeded to

sufficient amount of magazines. All the items available

here. I’ll discuss the plan with

in the two phones, and my men will be

left with his

hastily shut the door

out the phones from inside the bag. “These phones come with two systems, one is basic and the other with encrypted mode. The encrypted mode allows us to use the device without being

need it. I’ll use my own phone.” Josiah fathomed Winnie’s concern,

Winnie handed the other device to Xavier at once and taught him the method and password to access the encrypted

guns after both of them inserted their SIM

and Josiah fell silent when they saw how skilled Winnie was in

their unusual behavior, she could not help but turn her head around to glance

for me to be good with guns? Don’t

his glasses. “Anyway, it’s because your movements are too

as a compliment, then. By the

I’ve never lost

eyes at him. “Do you have the time to play games when you’re

the gun in his hand. “There is always

he had to take

a thumbs-up. Then, she asked Xavier,

uttered non-exaggeratedly, “Him! Let’s put it this way. I learned shooting from

A surprised look flashed across Winnie’s eyes

more humble response than Josiah. “But I’ve only practiced in the

there will be a lot of uncertainties, so a person’s state of mind will be highly tested during these circumstances.

gaze darkened as he

countless things on his mind that he

at Winnie, Xavier suddenly grasped her hand

but didn’t resist as she feared she might injure the wound on his

followed him

before she could place the card into the cardholder

you doing—” Before she could finish the rest of her sentence, Winnie felt

a domineering kiss

his large hands,

of her yearnings, and she would never conceal her wants

injury on his arm, she ripped apart his

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255