Sylvia quietly watched Lucille. She stood there silently, her long black hair fluttering in the breeze. She seemed like an outlier in the Presidential Palace, yet astonishingly beautiful.
“Isn’t it more ridiculous that Sabrina fell for my little trick?” Sylvia said.
Lucille’s face darkened instantly. Was she indirectly calling her daughter an idiot?
“Sylvia, I know you’re always sharp-tongued, but trespassing into the Presidential Palace and disregarding its security is a serious offense. I have every right to arrest you,” Lucille said, her eyes flashing with malice. “Imagine the scandal when the daughter of the Hipps Family ends up in jail. I can hardly wait!”
“Secretary of State Lucille, your plan will fail,” Sylvia replied expressionlessly. “I have a pass. According to the Presidential Palace’s security rules, anyone with a stamped pass can enter after security checks. So, on what grounds will you arrest me?”
“That pass belongs to my daughter Sabrina,” Lucille retorted. “It’s not yours.”
“But it’s in my hand now, which makes it mine. It’s not in Sabrina’s possession,” Sylvia said with a hint of sarcasm, her beautiful face calm and unruffled.
“So, I haven’t committed any crime. I have a pass, and I don’t need to explain how I got it to the guards or to you, Secretary of State Lucille.”
Lucille’s eyes flashed with madness. “Enough talk. Here, my word is law. If I say you’re guilty, you’re guilty.”
She waved her hand coldly. “Seize her!”
She had lost all patience and wanted Sylvia arrested immediately.
About twenty or thirty men in black behind Lucille moved towards Sylvia. Just then, a stern voice rang out, “Stop!”
Sylvia looked up and saw a familiar figure striding towards them.
The man was tall and imposing, his sharp eyes scanning everyone present before finally landing on Lucille. “Secretary of State Lucille, this is my residence. It’s not appropriate for you to treat my wife this way.”
“I only know that Miss Andrews is an intruder in the Presidential Palace,” Lucille replied with a harmless smile, her beautiful face betraying no hint of her earlier ruthlessness.
Lucille’s face softened slightly. “I remember you were adorable as a child. I didn’t expect you’d grow into such a formidable man.”
Her red lips curved into an enticing smile. “I recall your mother being very gentle. It’s a pity… she had such a short life.”
Unlike Lucille’s gentle demeanor, Franklin’s expression was extremely cold, and his words were merciless. “Secretary of State Lucille, if you enjoy reminiscing so much, why not join my mother? I’m sure she misses you dearly. I heard the cemetery in South Korea needs a caretaker. Would you be interested?”
He showed no courtesy to Lucille, knowing she was ruthless and treacherous.
Lucille didn’t get angry. Even if someone called her a venomous snake to her face, she wouldn’t be upset.
As long as she could wield power and money in Aettosa, what did it matter what others called her?
She laughed openly. “Franklin, do you believe that what happened to your mother won’t happen again to the women around you?”
She was like a blooming poppy flower, exuding a deadly fragrance.
“It will never happen,” Sylvia said firmly. Though she didn’t know how Franklin’s mother died, she knew she would never let past tragedies repeat themselves because she was Sylvia!
She stepped forward and stood beside Franklin, holding his hand.
Franklin looked down warmly. “Secretary of State Lucille, leave now. This is my wife; she can come and go from the Presidential Palace as she pleases.”
He handed Sylvia a permanent pass. “This is my pass for you.”
Sylvia was taken aback. “What about you?”
“I’ll get another one,” Franklin said with a doting smile. “It’s unseemly for my wife to cause such a commotion just to enter the Presidential Palace.”
He smiled again. “In the future, I’ll make sure you live here openly with me.”
If he had to stand at the top to protect those he loved, he didn’t mind fighting his way there.
Sylvia felt warmth spread through her heart as she held the pass tightly and threw the one she had taken from Sabrina at her feet. “Sabrina, here’s your pass back.”
Sabrina’s face turned red with anger, but all she could do was shout at Sylvia, “You’re too much!”
Lucille’s face was grim. Had she lost this round?
If she forcibly arrested Sylvia, she didn’t care about Franklin or the Hipps Family. But if Franklin allied with the Hipps Family and the Kaur family… She had heard Sylvia was close to the Kaur family recently.
Now was not the time for impulsive actions; careful planning was needed.
Lucille’s eyes narrowed cunningly as she said with feigned politeness, “Since Miss Andrews has returned the pass to Sabrina, we’ll take our leave.”
Sabrina was still indignant but followed Lucille out after receiving a stern look from her mother.
“Mommy, why did you let it go? She’s so arrogant!” Sabrina complained as soon as they left Franklin’s courtyard.
Lucille’s expression turned cold and stern. “Use your brain next time! How could I entrust important tasks to someone who can’t even keep track of a pass?”
Sabrina felt wronged and blamed Sylvia for her mother’s scolding.
Meanwhile, Franklin led Sylvia back to his residence.
“Why were you in such a hurry to find me? I was… busy,” Franklin said, not wanting to tell Sylvia he had been scolded by the President. “Why did you break in?”
“Brayden called me today,” Sylvia explained Jenna’s illness to Franklin. “I tried calling you several times but couldn’t reach you… I was worried something had happened to you…”
She sighed deeply. “I’ve been a bit stressed lately; my mind isn’t very clear.”
“You were just worried about me,” Franklin said gently, kissing her lightly on the lips. “Acute leukemia is no joke; we need to find a suitable bone marrow donor quickly.”
“Yes,” Sylvia nodded firmly. “Since you’re safe, I’ll head back now.”
Franklin suddenly pulled her into his arms, his warm breath tickling her ear. “Why go back?”
Sylvia blushed and pushed him away. “Stop it.”
“Don’t you want to see my bedroom?” Franklin asked teasingly.
Sylvia’s face turned redder. “I’ve already seen it when I treated your eyes before. Let go-”
“I won’t let go. Everyone knows you’re here now,” Franklin said with a playful smile but a serious tone. “At least stay for dinner.”
Sylvia couldn’t resist his pleading look and sighed. “Alright, what do you want for dinner? I’ll cook.”
Franklin’s eyes lit up with joy. “Really? Just some simple home-cooked dishes will do.”
The kitchen in Franklin’s courtyard had some basic ingredients like meat, eggs, and vegetables.
Sylvia made do with what was available and cooked tomato scrambled eggs, stir-fried vegetables, and garlic shoots with meat, along with scallion pancakes.
Franklin helped by making red bean porridge. As they sat down to eat the steaming dishes, Franklin felt incredibly happy.
But their peaceful dinner was interrupted by an unexpected guest.
The President appeared with a stern face while Franklin and Sylvia were eating dinner. He glared at Franklin. “You dared to insult Secretary of State Lucille today? Just for this woman?”
“Do you understand what Secretary of State Lucille represents for the entire empire? You’re too reckless!”
“You’ve become increasingly unruly!”
Franklin listened lazily before glancing at him. “If you’re here for dinner, you’re welcome.”