Nadia Garcia quickly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, adjusted her outfit, and put on her best face to meet Kayden Scott. She never thought she’d meet a man who could captivate her at first sight.
Sure, she wasn’t totally smitten last time, but this time? Yeah, she was hooked. This guy was like some kind of action hero-he could drive, fight, and even take down stubborn old men with the most unexpected methods!
Nadia couldn’t help but be drawn to him. She dropped her usual rich-girl attitude and instead came off as the girl next door-reserved and way more approachable.
“Mr. Scott!” Dario Garcia walked over first, bowing deeply. “Mr. Scott, I want to apologize for my earlier behavior! I underestimated you, and I’m grateful you didn’t expose me in the conference room.”
He lowered his head dramatically, looking like he was filled with regret.
Kayden glanced at Dario, clearly unimpressed, and then shifted his gaze to Nadia. “I let it go because of your daughter. Don’t judge people by appearances next time.”
Then Kayden turned to Nadia. “Were you waiting for me?”
Nadia nodded quickly.
“So, what’s up?” Kayden asked.
Nadia hesitated, then said, “Well, thanks for not being mad at my dad.”
Kayden grinned and shrugged it off. “You look different from the last time we met. Oh, and that outfit-looks good on you.”
“Wait, what?” Nadia gasped, glancing down at her clothes, almost in disbelief.
Kayden reached out and ruffled her hair playfully. “Alright, I’ve got things to do. Gotta run.”
That little gesture had Nadia’s heart racing. She’d been in relationships before, like with Kyler Clarkson, but this feeling-this flutter in her chest-was completely new.
“Mr. Scott, wait!” Dario called out just as Kayden started walking away.
Kayden turned, a little annoyed. “What now?”
“Your talk earlier really opened my eyes! I was wondering if you’d join me for dinner? My daughter will be there too, of course. I’d love to pick your brain on a few things.”
At this point, Dario had nothing but admiration for Kayden.
Kayden chuckled. “No thanks, I’m busy.”
That cold response hit Dario like a bucket of ice water.
Once Kayden was out of sight, Dario sighed heavily, turning to Nadia. “What’s the deal with you two? I can’t figure it out.”
Nadia frowned, staying silent.
Dario muttered to himself, “By the way, do you think he has a girlfriend?”
Nadia was stunned. “How would I know?”
“Well, why didn’t you ask? If you could get close to a guy like him, it wouldn’t just be good for you, it’d be great for your dad’s career too.”
Nadia rolled her eyes at him and climbed into the car.
As Kayden walked down the street, his mind drifted back to Professor Flores’ lecture. That old organization was active again-after disappearing for a century. What were they after this time?
Flood’s death was definitely their doing. They even left their symbol beside his body! Their methods were wild, ruthless-they didn’t just kill, they left their mark behind as a calling card! They weren’t some guardian sects protecting Seclela, as Professor Flores claimed. No, they were troublemakers, stirring the pot for their own gain.
And what about Wood Faulkner? Was the organization causing Wood’s memory loss? Kayden had to get to the bottom of this. The Henderson family acted like they’d never seen the handkerchief Kayden showed them. Lewis Henderson didn’t seem like he was lying, but still…
Wood Faulkner had lost her memory. To wipe out a Zodiac General’s memories? Who could pull that off? The thought made Kayden break out in a cold sweat.
And then there was Liam John and Gold-both still missing! Liam John even pawned his necklace. Was that a good sign or a bad one?
Lost in thought, Kayden suddenly felt something. A chill ran down his spine-a cold, lethal intent.
He hadn’t felt this in years, but now, it was unmistakable. An assassin!
Just as that realization hit, the assassin made their move. Silent but deadly, a bullet was already flying his way.
“Watch out!” Kayden yanked a woman passing by out of the way, his fingers snapping into action at lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, he’d done two things: saved the woman and caught the bullet!
“Sniper rifle!” His eyes scanned the area, quickly locking onto the shooter’s position.
“What the hell?” the woman he saved yelled, shoving him back. But she couldn’t budge Kayden and ended up stumbling several steps.
“You pervert! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She started cussing him out, not realizing the danger she’d just been in. She was an attractive, well-dressed woman, clearly wealthy, in a cheongsam that hugged her curvy figure. Despite being in her forties, she looked no older than thirty.
Kayden frowned. “Take a look at this,” he said, holding up the bullet. “If it wasn’t for me, you’d be dead right now.”
The woman glanced at the bullet and immediately started yelling. “Bullshit! You’re just some creep! Trying to cop a feel in broad daylight and now making up stories? You’re disgusting!”
Furious, she marched up to him, hand raised to slap him, but Kayden caught her wrist mid-air.
With a cold gleam in his eyes, Kayden glanced off into the distance. “Think you can run? We’ll see about that.”
And with that, he flung the bullet back with deadly precision.