Chapter 123 A Hint of Camping

Surveying the world swathed in a pristine blanket of white, Raymond offered a nod of agreement. "Sure, anywhere you want is fine with me," he said. His acquiescence signaled no objections, leaving Paige free to orchestrate the plans. Without his agreement, her plan would have faltered at the outset.With Raymond's approval secured, Paige promptly directed her staff to commence the necessary preparations. In a stolen moment of solitude with Paige, Sullivan posed a question. "Have they called from the other side? Is the time and place for the deal set?" "Echo Peak, before sunset," Paige confirmed with a nod. Sullivan gestured vaguely towards the upper floors. "Are you really going to hand him over?" Paige reassured him with a firm tone. "Don't worry. Everything is in place. I can hand him over, and I can certainly bring him back safe and sound." Her confidence was palpable, prompting Sullivan to suggest, “Maybe I should go with you, just to avoid any suspicion.” The key person in this intricate plan was Raymond, and Sullivan's identity would remain a mystery if he accompanied them. After a moment's consideration, Paige consented. Once the servants had outfitted the car with snow chains, Paige assumed the role of driver and led the group on their journey. Throughout the drive, Charles excitedly pointed out various scenic spots, their beauty enhanced by the snow. Eventually, Charles turned to Paige, “Madam, which destination do you have in mind?”“I’m holding the steering wheel, aren’t I? Today, I’m taking you guys to a rather unique place,” Paige responded. “Unique? I thought I’d been to every fun place in Country M,” Charles retorted. “Echo Peak,” Paige declared. Charles glanced at Raymond, “Raymond, have you ever heard of Echo Peak around here?”Raymond, in all honesty, hadn't. However, he swiftly pulled out his phone to search for the location. When he couldn’t locate Echo Peak on the standard navigation, Raymond resorted to a special search engine on his phone, utilizing a specific satellite location service to pinpoint the place. Observing Raymond engrossed in his search, Charles asked again, “Raymond, did you find it?”Raymond switched off his phone screen, his face devoid of expression. “No.”Up front, Paige and Sullivan exchanged knowing glances, and Paige let out a soft chuckle. “That’s why I said I’m taking you to a special place.”Paige had chosen to drive herself for a reason. She wanted to be in control, and despite the exhaustion that came with navigating snowy roads, the destination was non-negotiable. Raymond, with his keen sense of direction, had committed the topography of Echo Peak to memory after locating it. He was now rapidly analyzing the terrain in his mind. The distance from their residence to Echo Peak was substantial, and the snow further slowed their progress. It took them half the morning just to cover half the distance. They settled for lunch in a restaurant along the way. While waiting for their meal, Paige retreated to the car for a private phone call. She had been driving cautiously in the morning, but planned to drive at full speed in the afternoon to reach their destination before dusk. The reason for her cautious speed in the morning was to allow some extra time for her people to make their preparations. She wanted to avoid arriving at a place that was already set up by someone else. The sensation was akin to being both predator and prey., With the number of potential traps unclear, one could unwittingly step into someone else's snare at any moment. Paige always ensured her people scouted ahead before she felt comfortable crossing over. After all, she had no desire to bring harm to her dear husband. Moreover, Raymond's distinguished status meant that any trouble could lead to serious complications. Paige didn't intend to betray anyone, she merely planned to use Raymond as bait. After a brief rest post-lunch, the group prepared to hit the road again. Charles stepped forward: "Madam, let me drive. You've been at the wheel all morning. Spend the afternoon resting comfortably in the backseat. You can even catch some sleep if you like."Under normal circumstances, Paige would have gladly accepted the Offer,but not now, and besides, sleep was unlikely. "No need, driving in the snow is pretty fun. I'll keep at it," she declined Charles's offer. However, Raymond noticed Paige's fatigue. If she didn't rest and continued to drive, she'd only grow more tired. "Let Charles drive," Raymond suggested. "Give him the coordinates, it'll be fine. Mrs. Carnegie, why don't you join me in the backseat for a bit of rest?"

Raymond deemed it unwise to allow Paige to continue her weary drive. The reason Paige was so insistent on maintaining control of the wheel was that their mountain destination was not listed on the GPS. Charles, however, seemed blissfully ignorant of this fact. If he were to take over driving, there was no telling where they might end up. Sullivan, seated in the passenger seat, observed this and surmised it was likely the reason Paige was so resistant to relinquishing control to Charles. "Why not let me drive?" Sullivan proposed. "You could switch places with Mr. Carnegie and take a moment to rest."Paige regarded Sullivan with a skeptical gaze. "The roads are slippery with snow. Are you certain you can manage?"Sullivan, who was not known for his driving skills, naturally aroused Paige's concern. "Don't worry, I can handle it," Sullivan assured her, nodding confidently. Paige conceded, swapping her seat to sit beside Raymond in the back. As Raymond held Paige's hand, he mused, "If we had brought a chauffeur and a larger vehicle, we could have traveled in comfort. Why insist on driving to our destination yourself?"Paige responded with a soft smile. "I enjoy driving, you know. It's a shame the snow is so thick. Otherwise, it would be even more enjoyable in a sports car."Raymond chuckled. "It seems my lady has a preference for supercars. Once we return to the States, I'll acquire a few limited editions for you."Paige was taken aback, her expression momentarily frozen in surprise. Return? She hadn't even begun to contemplate what lay ahead, whether their journey would proceed smoothly, or when they would be able to return safely. As Raymond toyed with Paige's fingers, his gaze drifted out the window. "This weather suggests we're in for heavy snow tonight. Heading to the mountains was a splendid idea. I wonder if there's a ski resort nearby. If there is, I'll have Charles teach you to ski."Caught off guard by her own thoughts, Paige blurted out, "I already know how. I'm actually quite good."From the front passenger seat, the usually indifferent Charles twisted around to face them. "You ski? When did you learn?"Paige fell silent. How could she explain that she had learned to ski in prison without it sounding utterly fantastical? After all, most people were sent to prison for... corrective labor.Before she could respond, Raymond shot Charles a fierce glare. Charles immediately straightened up, sitting rigidly and silent like a reprimanded schoolchild, not daring to interrupt again.Paige's thoughts were just beginning to regroup when she managed a smile and said, "It's not that difficult, really. I picked it up quickly. But from what I've seen, Echo Peak doesn't have a ski resort. If we're going to rough it, we can buy some gear once we're there."Charles muttered to himself, "It's Raymond who's really good at skiing."From the back seat, Raymond retorted, "No one will think you're mute if you don't speak."Sullivan drove quietly, glancing over at Charles and pondering the contrast between his stern, cool persona and Raymond's more lively companion. Perhaps it was a matter of complementing each other. After all, it was rare for Raymond to tolerate anyone's company. Three hours later, guided by Paige's directions, Sullivan successfully navigated their way to Echo Peak. Only upon arrival did they realize how the mountain, far removed from the bustle of city life, offered gentle slopes on the side they approached, making it an excellent choice for skiing. Surrounded by a pristine, snowy landscape, the group stepped out of the car just as a group of young people returned from a session on the slopes. Charles excitedly approached them to inquire about local food, lodgings, and places to purchase equipment. Paige, on the other hand, exited the vehicle with a cautious vigilance, scanning the surroundings before checking her phone for various messages she had received, ensuring their chosen path was absolutely safe. By sunset, they had indeed reached Echo Peak, but they found no suspicious characters there. Paige looked around. No suspicious characters in sight – only tourists happily skiing on the wild, snowy slopes. She had to admit, these skiers were top-notch, tackling slopes naturally suited for skiing but with a level of difficulty that was not for beginners - it was no place for amateurs. Originally, Echo Peak had been an unmanaged backcountry ski area, but someone had installed a cable car to make it convenient for the skiing enthusiasts. Paige surveyed the area, noting that it wasn’t exactly deserted. This place hardly seemed suitable for a clandestine meeting. She simply couldn't fathom why they had chosen this location for their deal. Now that she was there, all Paige could do was wait for further instructions.

Charles swiftly returned, armed with fresh intelligence. "I've done some asking around," he informed them, "A little way ahead, there are shops housed in containers and rest lounges. We have the option to rent a room and equipment now, stock up on groceries, and prepare a meal. Those keen on skiing can rent or buy gear, and for those who simply wish to take in the snowy vistas, there's a cable car that goes up the mountain."Paige hadn't anticipated such a commercial setup at the foot of a wild skiing spot, but she had to admit, the facilities were undeniably handy. They could rent a container to wait in. Given the number of people around, it was probable they'd have to wait until evening before Paige could expect a call. She had attempted to reach out to the unknown number, but it was always switched off. Even though she was physically present at the location, she was still restricted to that single line of contact. Firstly, Paige located a parking spot for the car, then she maneuvered Raymond towards the container rooms situated at the base of the mountain. Charles had already forged ahead to rent and procure supplies. Paige and Raymond trailed behind him shortly after. As they rounded a corner, the rows of container rooms came into view. "It almost feels like camping," Raymond observed. Paige privately mused that even now, when they were on the brink of 'selling' Raymond, he was still preoccupied with thoughts of camping. She drew in a deep breath, the crisp air filling her lungs, and abruptly asked, "Raymond, what would you do if I did something to hurt you?"Raymond looked up at Paige, "What could you possibly do to hurt me?"Paige was at a loss. Should she be forthright with him? At this point, she couldn't very well be blunt. That would likely muddle things even more. Thus, Paige chose to remain silent. "Nothing, just asking."Raymond's eyes, which had brightened at Paige's question, dimmed once again as she chose to hold her tongue. He had thought that when Paige had asked him earlier, she was going to be candid with him. However, Paige hesitated and, in the end, said nothing. Raymond quipped, "Ms. Paige, you're not actually planning to sell me off, are you?"Paige retorted, "Would you actually help me count the money?"