Chapter 20 The Woman Who Stayed out All Night
Kim was at a loss for words.
A prenup should really be considered in a secret marriage.
Thinking about Paige and how the future of Universe Group's shares, valued at hundreds of billions, would be hers, Kim gasped in shock.
Nonetheless, he felt compelled to remind her, "Xanthe, it's probably not too late to sign a prenup."
Paige brushed off the concern, "No need, I don't plan on letting him know who I am."
Kim persisted, "But once you sign all this, you're worth billions..."
Paige finally looked up, "Oh, right, once I reclaim my identity, supporting him won't be an issue at all."
At this thought, Paige recalled the face of Raymond.
She had to admit her luck was incredible; a hasty marriage had snagged her an outrageously handsome husband.
Though it was a bit unfortunate that his legs had limited mobility, Paige didn't see it as a big deal.
Hearing Paige dismiss the issue, Kim could only resign himself to silence.
Julian, however, let out a sigh, "Looks like my plan to climb up the ladder has utterly failed."
Paige offered him a light smile, "My mentor says your skills are exceptional, and with you around, I have nothing to fear. From now on, you'll be in charge of my safety."
Julian sighed and nodded in resignation, "Destined to be a bodyguard and not the spouse of a CEO; I was cut out for that life!"
Paige just smiled at Julian's free-spirited nature. Suddenly, she turned to the quiet Cecil West.
"Oh, right, I have a favor to ask of you, Cecil."
Stationed at the ready, Cecil stepped forward immediately at Paige's request.
With his soft, delicate features, Cecil had the look of an obedient young guy, and as he approached Paige, he exuded an air of attentive compliance.
Even his voice carried a gentle shyness, "What do you need me to do, Xanthe?"
Paige handed her cell phone to Cecil, "My mentor says you're the best hacker and a brilliant architect. Upgrade my system, would you? There's a blueprint on my phone that I need you to check out."
Over the years, her mentors had reached a consensus. The clue to the vanished secret funds was hidden right within the confines of this villa.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Paige was determined to reclaim her identity quickly. Every day the Sackler family remained unchallenged was a reminder that her revenge was incomplete.
Accepting the phone from Paige, a slight blush crept upon Cecil West's ears.
Paige wasn't paying much attention to the details. Her focus was solely on the pile of documents before her, as she scrawled her signature on page after page. Just as she was nearing the end of the mountainous stack, Kim hustled over with another hefty batch.
“Xanthe, these are the latest projects from our company,” Kim informed her, dropping the files on the desk. “Take a look when you can.”
Paige knew all too well that coming back would mean an endless to-do list she would have to handle. And Universe Group didn't pause for a second while she was locked up. She had the misfortune of accidentally running into Pearl South, which caused her to look at Cecil West with a haunting resentment.
It could only have been this top-tier hacker who had managed to track her down.
On her first day back at work, Paige had already learned a crucial lesson: never let the staff have too much downtime.
Raymond's business trip had barely started when he got wind that Paige hadn't come home for the night.
When Charles relayed this news to Raymond, the man’s face darkened. His next question was terse: “Where is Louis?”
“Uh...” Charles stumbled, “the young master hasn't returned either.”
In a fit of rage, Raymond slammed the crystal glass he was holding against the door and yelled, "Find him! I don't care where he is, just find him!"
Since learning about Paige and Louis’s former engagement, Charles had been exceedingly careful in his dealings with his boss. It turned out his precaution was well warranted when trouble erupted that evening.
“I’ve already sent people to check,” Charles assured Raymond hastily.
Raymond’s anger hardly subsided, but his command was clear, “Home!”
Charles was flustered. “But... aren’t we still on a “business trip”? If we go back now, and Mrs. Carnegie isn’t even at...”
He trailed off, not daring to finish.
When Raymond said go home they went home. Without a moment's hesitation, Charles arranged for transportation, and the entire party headed straight back to the modest two-bedroom residence Raymond shared with Paige.
Forget the business trip. With Paige's absence, Louis missing, and such a crisis at hand, Raymond's ability to maintain control in the face of such chaos was impressive.
As for Paige, still caught up in her overtime work at the office, she was oblivious to Raymond’s situation. Although thoughts of calling him crossed her mind, her hands never found a moment's rest to make the call.
Even the well-prepared business dinner that Pearl South had put together couldn't be finished. Paige had only picked at her food.
Working overtime until the wee hours, Paige finally stood up and stretched her weary limbs.
The quartet had kept her company in the office the entire night. Although not everyone had tasks to do; as long as Paige was working, they felt they couldn't rest either.
With a glance at her dedicated colleagues, Paige said, “From now on, you don't have to stick around when I'm working late. I'll make time to come back to the office, and you better not show up unannounced in front of me without my consent.”
Pearl gave a nod of agreement, "Xanthe, don't worry, it won't happen again."
Kim chimed in to reassure her, "Rest assured, Xanthe. Once we've formally met and established contact, this won’t be an issue."
Paige nodded, "Alright then, let's call it a night. I've got a ton on my plate tomorrow. See you next time, everyone!"
With that, Paige made a beeline for the elevator.
The quartet exchanged puzzled looks; this wasn't quite what they had expected.
Leaving Universe Group, Paige found the streets nearly empty of traffic. It wasn't too far from her place, so she hopped on a rental bike and pedaled home.
At the last turn before home, she suddenly stopped. A car trailing behind almost didn't brake in time to avoid hitting her.
Without waiting for the car to fully stop, Paige marched right up and rapped on the window.
The window rolled down to reveal Julian's awkward look.
Paige quipped, “Head of the Security Team, and that’s your level of tailing skills?”
Julian replied with a playful smirk, “Xanthe, clearly this isn't tailing. I'm obviously just ensuring your safety. It's late, and you, a lady all by yourself...”
Paige's brow furrowed, “Didn't we agree that until I go public, I wouldn't enjoy any privileges associated with the identity of Xanthe Ellison? Outside Universe Group, I'm just regular Paige. Does Paige need a bodyguard?”
Julian retorted, “Until you go public, I’m still off the clock. I'm watching over you voluntarily. Besides, you've arrived at your destination!”
Paige turned to see she was indeed not far from the entrance of the apartment complex.
It was past midnight and the streets were deserted. She preferred not being seen entangled with an unfamiliar man at such an hour. Plus, Julian's gaze carried an indescribable hint of intrigue.
Paige turned around and continued riding, telling Julian, “I can take care of myself!”
With those parting words, she pedaled into the complex.
Julian, without a pass, couldn't gain entry. His car parked at a distance, he watched Paige's retreating figure with a low chuckle, "He really dared to entrust this hundred-billion-dollar corporation to such a young woman!"
Meanwhile, Paige returned to her home, weary to the bone. All she wanted was to quickly take a shower and collapse into bed, especially with work and a visit to the care facility looming the next day. Her mind preoccupied with the coming day's agenda, she shut the door absentmindedly and reached out to flick on the lights.
The instant the room lit up, Paige was startled by a figure looming before her.
Raymond sat with a stormy expression, as if foreseeing a tempest about to break. "You're back?" he asked in a grave tone.
Just then, his phone lit up with a message from Charles: Louis is home.
