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Novel Catalog
Chapter_260
The man in the suit, with his sharp, hawk-like eyes, remained calm as he addressed Hera. “I came here to visit my relatives, but this place is so big that I got lost. Could you tell me where Villa No. 9 is?”
His icy gaze sent a chill down Hera’s spine. She could feel the weight of his presence and the subtle tension that lingered in the air. He removed his sunglasses, revealing eyes that seemed to pierce through her, leaving her momentarily breathless.
Hera’s instincts flared. If this man were truly visiting relatives, he would have notified them in advance for authorization, she reasoned. There were clear signs pointing toward Villas 1 through 9, and Villa No. 9 was impossible to miss. Her mind quickly settled on one conclusion: this man had not entered through the main gate.
As if to confirm her thoughts, she heard a voice behind her.
“Hera… Why did you come to the park?” Nash asked, his tone calm yet tinged with curiosity. He had approached silently, and his sudden appearance startled Hera. She turned to face him, a hand instinctively pressing against her chest.
“How do you walk without making any noise? You scared me…” Hera exclaimed, a light laugh escaping her lips despite the unease still lingering within her.
“You were just too engrossed in your thoughts,” Nash replied with a smile. “I tried calling your name, but you didn’t hear me.”
Hera quickly shifted the conversation. “Have Yvonne and Uncle James arrived?”
“They’ve arrived. They’re resting at home now,” Nash answered, his voice warm as he took her hand.
As they made their way toward the villa, Hera recounted her earlier encounter with the suspicious man and expressed her growing concerns. “That man is definitely suspicious! Do you think he could be one of the assassins sent for us?”
Her anxiety crept in, her fingers tightening around Nash’s arm. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something dark was lingering on the horizon. From being kidnapped alongside Skadi to the bombing of the Lewis family estate, and even the targeting of Skadi and Bianca by the Green Bamboo Association, the events surrounding her had become more sinister by the day.
Nash, ever the calm presence, pulled her closer. “You might be a bit sensitive due to recent events. Don’t worry too much; I’m here with you.”
Though he was equally cautious, Nash didn’t want to add to her worries. He wrapped his arms around her in a reassuring embrace, grounding her with his warmth and strength. For a moment, Hera felt the tight knot of anxiety in her chest loosen.
The moment of calm was interrupted when Yvonne appeared at the entrance of the villa. “Hera…” she called out, her voice filled with warmth.
Hera quickly withdrew from Nash’s embrace, turning toward Yvonne with a bright smile. “You must be Yvonne. You’re so beautiful!”
Yvonne, with her usual exuberance, stepped forward and hugged Hera. “Not as beautiful as you, Hera!” she replied with a playful grin.
The two shared a brief embrace before walking arm-in-arm into the villa’s spacious living room, with Nash following closely behind.
When Hera spotted James seated on the sofa, she greeted him with her usual sweetness. “You must be Uncle James, right?”
James’ expression tightened into a forced smile, his voice flat. “Mmhmm. I never thought you’d be married by now.”
Hera blushed, a little embarrassed by his comment. “I’m not that young anymore… Some of my college friends are already expecting their second child!” she replied with a light laugh, trying to ease the tension.
Nash, observing the exchange, couldn’t help but notice that James seemed to have some reservations about Hera’s marriage. There was an underlying coldness in his demeanor—an unspoken expectation perhaps? It didn’t escape Nash’s notice that James seemed to be eyeing Hera with a certain possessiveness, as though she were still within his control.
James abruptly changed the topic, his gaze sharpening. “What do you do for a living, boy?”
Yvonne’s eyes flicked toward Nash, curiosity lighting her features. She was eager to know more about the man who had captured her beautiful cousin’s heart. Surely, he must be exceptional, right?
Hera hesitated, unsure of how to explain Nash’s position. Technically, Nash worked as a security manager at her company, but in reality, he barely stepped foot into the office. He didn’t have a conventional job, not by the standards of someone like James.
“I’m the security manager for Baroque’s branch company,” Nash replied smoothly, not missing a beat. His calm tone belied the complexity of his true position.
Hera quickly added, “He’s just nominally working in my company. In reality, he’s a miracle doctor with extraordinary medical skills!”
While the mention of a security manager at a prestigious company like Baroque might have seemed impressive to some, James didn’t appear convinced. In the world of large families, a position like that—no matter how senior—was hardly seen as noteworthy.
James’ eyes flickered with disdain. “Security manager? At Baroque, to boot?” he remarked, his voice dripping with skepticism.
The subtle disdain in his tone didn’t go unnoticed by either Nash or Hera. It was clear that James didn’t view Nash as an equal. The tension in the room thickened, and it was evident that James had his own set of expectations for Hera’s future—expectations that perhaps didn’t include Nash.
Nash, ever the diplomat, held James’ gaze without flinching. He could feel the invisible barrier that had formed between them. It was one of those unspoken challenges that people like James often laid out to assert control and authority.
But Nash wasn’t one to back down. He had already proven his worth in ways James couldn’t comprehend—and he was ready to protect what was his, no matter the cost.