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Novel Catalog
Chapter_269
The next morning, Emmett dragged his suitcase into the living room and saw two people already sitting at the table, enjoying breakfast. He forced a slight smile and, trying to maintain his composure, plastered on a grin before walking over to greet them.
“Mr. Chavez, Mrs. Chavez, good morning. It’s such a lovely day. If you don’t have any other instructions, I’ll head to the airport. You two take your time. Bye, Yve.”
With that, Emmett was ready to make a quick escape. He was eager to leave, all because of that guy—Frankie.
Jeremiah, without missing a beat, casually handed a dumpling to Yvette before looking up at Emmett, his eyes locking onto him with an almost predatory gaze. He asked calmly, “Did you create the group chat?”
Yvette, her focus still on her bowl of dumplings, stole a quick glance at Emmett, who was visibly flustered.
It turned out that the night before, Frankie had taken a screenshot of Emmett’s message from the group chat and sent it to Jeremiah. This worked out well for Frankie, though not for Emmett. As a result, Emmett was now stuck with overseeing the gold mine project in Afria, while someone else had been pulled back to Mysonna. If there was ever an example of “brotherly loyalty,” Frankie certainly knew how to demonstrate it.
Cold sweat instantly began to bead on Emmett’s back. Isn’t this just adding insult to injury? he thought. The group chat was created to keep everyone in the loop when Jeremiah went missing in the rainforest—not to spread gossip! How could Frankie, that bastard, use me as leverage to get back to Mysonna? What a heartless move!
Determined to avoid further conflict, Emmett quickly explained, “Mr. Chavez, I created the group chat to keep everyone connected when you went missing in the rainforest. It was never meant for gossip. You have to believe me.”
Yvette finished her last dumpling and gave him a brief look, tapping her foot. Isn’t that basically a confession? she thought to herself.
Emmett still didn’t seem to realize what he had said wrong. His face was full of sincerity as he awaited Jeremiah’s response. Jeremiah, on the other hand, gave a knowing smile and simply said, “Not bad.” Then, without another word, he waved his hand dismissively.
Seeing the situation as his cue to leave, Emmett quickly grabbed his luggage and bolted out the door. In a matter of seconds, he was gone, abandoning any trace of his usual aloof demeanor. He thought, Didn’t I just see the look in Jeremiah’s eyes like he wanted to stab me? If I don’t run now, when will I?
As for what Jeremiah called “not bad,” Emmett only realized how off it sounded when he got on the plane. Something felt wrong about it. Upon arriving in Afria, Emmett understood just what that “not bad” really meant. What was supposed to be a three-day work trip had stretched into half a month, and being stuck in that forsaken place felt like his limbs were starting to atrophy.
Not only that, but the miners there seemed to take a liking to Emmett, constantly shouting about how they wanted to have his knuckles—and not in a polite manner. Emmett’s body and mind suffered greatly. After returning, he felt dread whenever he saw a woman.
When it came to punishment methods, Mr. Chavez was unmatched. After that, the group chat was never used for gossip again.
At the dinner table later, Yvette’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it, seeing a message from James, who wanted to take her on a tour of the physics lab. Yvette paused for a moment, then typed out a response: Okay.
Jeremiah, still quiet, glanced up at her and smiled slightly before asking, “Any plans after dinner? Do you want to come to the military base with me?”
Jeremiah was very busy. Even though he was technically on leave, his military duties were never truly on pause. Despite being on vacation, he still had to handle a variety of responsibilities. The recent visit from Ybaulla to Clusia was keeping him on his toes, and he squeezed out time wherever he could.
Yvette lifted her gaze, her eyes deep and calm. Why do people keep wanting to take me to these secret places? The National Physics Lab, the First Military District… are these places that ordinary people can visit?
She smiled slightly, her voice cool and clear as she replied, “I can’t go, I have to visit the physics lab with James later.”
Jeremiah’s hand paused in mid-air as he gripped his cup. His expression darkened, and his voice dropped low. “He’s taking you to the physics lab?”
Yvette nodded freely. “Yeah, I think we’re just going to browse around.”
Jeremiah took a sip of water, nodding slowly, but his expression deepened. He didn’t ask any further questions. Yvette was busier than him—no doubt she had no time for a visit to the military base.
He considered for a moment, then sighed quietly. “I always feel like you don’t need me.”
The words, coming from someone as strong and cold as Jeremiah, sounded unusual, almost vulnerable. It was a rare glimpse of insecurity in love—something Jeremiah never thought he’d experience.
Yvette paused, her expression softening briefly before she lifted her wrist casually on the table. Her eyes met his, calm and unwavering. She responded, her voice steady but with an edge of certainty, “Jeremiah, I’ve never been the type of woman to wait around. I don’t need to rely on anyone. True strength is what really matters, and that’s how I’ve always lived my life. Being in a relationship isn’t going to change who I am. So, stop reading those cheesy romance novels Andrew gives you.”
Yvette’s fingers tapped lightly on the table, and her collarbone was stunning beneath her shirt. She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering in playful tease. “Saving a damsel in distress? No way. But a damsel saving a hero? That, I might consider.”
Her words were bold and confident—no one could argue with her strength and the self-assurance she carried in every word.
Jeremiah coughed awkwardly. How did she find out about those novels I was hiding so carefully?
He looked at her intently, his gaze lingering on her exposed neck, the delicate curve of her collarbone. His voice dropped, sincere but with an edge of teasing, “I’m yours. Whenever you feel like saving me, I’ll be right there, ready for you. However you want to save me, it’s up to you.”
His words felt off, but Jeremiah’s expression was entirely sincere. However, it was clear he was steering the conversation into more suggestive territory.
Yvette leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs, her eyes glinting coldly. This old man has gotten bolder ever since he got a taste. At the slightest disagreement, he always turned things to flirtation.
At the Terrell residence
Ronald Terrell, the patriarch, once oversaw national finances but had retired due to health reasons. Now, he spent his time enjoying his later years with old friends. He, Jase, James, and Walter Moore had fought alongside each other in their youth, and their bond was deep, formed through shared struggles.
These days, they didn’t gather often, but when they did, they made it a point to meet for coffee and catch up. Today was one of those occasions.
Jase was the last to arrive—he was the busiest of the four. James, sitting on the sofa with his cane, scowled as Jase entered with Yusef. He couldn’t hide his displeasure. After all, that brat from the Chavez family had stolen his newly recognized granddaughter. He wasn’t about to make things easier.
Jase, wearing a sharp dark suit, entered the room. A closer look revealed that all four men wore suits crafted from the same material—clearly from the same tailor.
Ronald greeted him, “You finally made it, Jase. It’s not easy to see you these days.”
Walter nodded, agreeing, “That’s right. You need to take it easy with your old bones. Don’t pretend you’re still young.”
