“Useless! Go investigate!” EMPEROR cast a cold glance at his subordinates. “What’s the point of having you if you can’t even find out where they went or get the flight information? Worthless!”
“Sir… it’s mainly because…” One subordinate mumbled, trying to explain, but EMPEROR grabbed the IV drip from his hand and smashed it against his head.
With a loud bang, the bottle hit the subordinate’s head, causing blood to flow from his forehead.
The other subordinates quickly rushed over to hold EMPEROR’s hand, which had been pulled out with the needle. “Call the nurse, quick!”
The needle had been forcibly yanked out of the large vein in his hand due to his extreme actions, and blood was seeping out, looking quite alarming.
No one paid attention to the subordinate whose head was bleeding. The nurse rushed in and pressed down on the agitated EMPEROR. “What happened? How did this needle come out?”
When she saw the shattered glass IV bottle on the floor, she was stunned but wisely asked no questions.
She replaced the IV bottle and inserted a new needle.
After finishing, the nurse quickly ran out.
Ridiculous!
The atmosphere in the room was terrifying.
If she stayed any longer, her life might be in danger.
The subordinates were all silent, not daring to speak.
EMPEROR roared, “Get out!”
At that moment, a man hurriedly ran in, gasping for breath as he reported to EMPEROR, “Sir… Sir! We found it! Franklin and Sylvia’s destination is the Middle Evroya region. They seem to be attending the Fire Dance Festival.”
EMPEROR’s cold gaze swept over him. “Follow them closely. If necessary-”
His eyes were sinister, his expression cold.
The subordinate immediately understood and made a throat-slitting gesture. “Yes, sir.”
Middle Evroya region, Presidential Palace.
Conference Room.
This meeting was personally chaired by Isabelle. She wore a professional suit that accentuated her curvaceous figure, with her long hair tied up high, making her look both competent and serious.
It was easy to forget that she was a young woman not yet thirty.
She deliberately dressed conservatively and seriously to avoid revealing her age.
“Every year during the Fire Dance Festival, many people ignore the restrictions on gatherings and set off homemade firecrackers, which are very unsafe and often cause injuries. This is something we must be vigilant about.”
“Additionally, this year we have invited distinguished guests from various countries to attend the Fire Dance Festival. We must strengthen security measures to ensure nothing goes wrong. Especially protecting these distinguished guests, as any mishap could strain diplomatic relations.”
“Our economic development has been rapid in recent years, attracting interest from neighboring regions. This year, several regions have proactively expressed their desire to attend the Fire Dance Festival. Cadence, please announce these regions.”
After covering the key points, Isabelle handed the meeting over to her secretary.
Cadence, a woman in her forties with many years of secretarial experience, handled her job with ease.
The meeting lasted about half an hour before it concluded.
Isabelle walked out of the conference room tiredly, discussing some important matters with Cadence as they walked.
Afterward, she let down her hair, letting it cascade down her back, looking youthful and vibrant.
She quickly grabbed a casual outfit from the wardrobe in the lounge and changed into it. “Cadence, my friend Sylvia’s plane is about to land. I need to pick her up. The rest is up to you.”
She tied her hair into a ponytail and slipped on a pair of white sneakers.
She looked like a girl in her twenties as she hurriedly grabbed her bag and ran out.
Cadence helplessly held her back. “Prime Minister, there’s no need to be so anxious just because Miss Andrews is coming. You don’t get this excited for other important guests.”
“Oh, I haven’t seen her in so long. I miss her!” Isabelle smiled brightly, showing her white teeth. Other people couldn’t compare to Sylvia; Sylvia was her and her daughter Magdalena’s savior.
“Sign these documents first.” Cadence placed two documents in front of her. “I need to get the president’s signature after yours.”
“Alright.” Isabelle glanced at the documents and realized she should have signed them yesterday but had forgotten.
After signing, she dashed out of the office and ran outside.
In the underground parking lot, she saw a black car parked in a spot from afar. A tall man leaned against the car door, smoking a cigarette.
The smoke swirled around his handsome face, making it hard to see clearly.
But Isabelle recognized him at once as her husband Darius.
Hearing her hurried footsteps, Darius looked up and saw her. He extinguished his cigarette and threw it into a nearby trash can. When he looked up again, he had a bright smile on his face and opened the car door. “Get in.”
Isabelle walked over and sat in the passenger seat. Before she could speak, Darius handed her a box of macarons. The cookies were sweet and cute.
She was surprised when she heard him say, “I passed by a pastry shop earlier and saw these in the window. They looked cute.”
Isabelle felt sweet inside as she opened the package and ate one. “Delicious. I’ll share them with Sylvia later.”
“Miss Andrews’ share is here too!” Darius nodded towards the back seat where another box of cookies and a tie were placed.
It was clear that Darius had prepared small gifts for Sylvia and Franklin.
Isabelle felt even more touched. “Honey, you’re so thoughtful.”
Darius thought to himself that he deserved a reward but didn’t say it out loud. He just smiled at her and lightly touched his lips with his finger. “My lips have been dry lately. I wonder if I should apply something…”
Before he could finish speaking, Isabelle kissed him on the lips. “Not dry anymore?”
Darius wrapped an arm around her waist and deepened the kiss.
After a while, he let go of her. “Now they’re not dry.”
Isabelle blushed. “Hurry up or we’ll be late.”
Darius chuckled and started the car.
Middle Evroya International Airport.
Sylvia and Franklin got off the plane and walked towards the airport exit.
Middle Evroya was always hot and uncomfortable regardless of the weather elsewhere, so people here generally had darker skin tones.
The sun was glaringly bright and hot, a stark contrast to Aettosa’s winter.
Sylvia casually put on a pair of sunglasses. With her slender and tall figure, wearing sunglasses made her presence even more striking.
Franklin also wore sunglasses. The two of them standing together looked like agents straight out of a Rovirsa movie with an imposing aura.
Franklin pushed their luggage cart beside Sylvia as he glanced at the scorching sun through his sunglasses.
“Middle Evroya’s weather is always like this year-round. It gets tiresome after a while.”
“Even fair-skinned people get tanned here. Jaime used to have a dark little face here every day; now he’s much fairer.”
Sylvia chatted casually with him while scanning the crowd.
Suddenly, a clear voice called out, “Sylvia! Mr. Maskelyne!”
She looked over to see Isabelle jumping up and down in the crowd waving at her. “I’m here! We’re here!”
Isabelle was petite and barely noticeable in the crowd waiting for arrivals, so she had to jump up and down to make herself seen.
Darius saw how hard she was trying and lifted her up so that she ended up sitting on his shoulders with a surprised yelp.
Now…
Not only could Sylvia and Franklin see her clearly,
but everyone at the airport could see her too.
She looked down at everyone from above,
standing out as she sat on her husband’s shoulders… clutching his head in fear.
Sylvia couldn’t help but laugh at this couple’s antics as she walked towards them with a smile.
“What are you doing? Performing acrobatics or human pyramids?”
Isabelle blushed. “Oh no! Put me down.”
She wasn’t a child… She had only seen children sitting on their fathers’ shoulders at parks when they couldn’t see performances due to their height.
She never thought she’d experience this herself one day.
Embarrassing…
As soon as Darius put her down, she rushed over to hug Sylvia. “Sylvia! I’ve missed you so much! Finally seeing you again.”
Sylvia was much calmer compared to Isabelle’s excitement as she assessed Isabelle’s complexion. “You seem to be doing well! Your face looks fuller and healthier. You seem more lively than before.”
Isabelle blushed again. “Not really…”
Sylvia smiled slightly. “No wonder they say in those short videos that women who are pampered look like flowers while those raised by bad men look like withered grass; only those nurtured by good men bloom like flowers.”
Franklin leaned closer to Sylvia’s ear and whispered softly, “So what kind of flower are you? A rose?”
Sylvia glared at him playfully. “We’re talking; don’t interrupt.”
Franklin’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he fell silent again while Darius glanced between him and Sylvia before handing Franklin a cigarette. “Long time no see.”
Franklin accepted it but didn’t light it up since he only smoked when feeling down usually.
“Staying in Middle Evroya recently?”
Darius nodded at this question while gazing affectionately at Isabelle. “A good man naturally follows his wife wherever she goes.”
Franklin chuckled too. “What about your child?”
“In H Rovirsa for school! The education there is better than here.” Darius whispered so only they could hear: “Two-person world… simply wonderful.”