Chapter 51 Husband Above All
Paige's words were measured, but her gaze on Julian left no room for negotiation.
Julian obviously didn't relish the thought of guarding a man weaker than him.
Even Pearl, a woman amid the ranks of Universe, surely had a stronger sense of self-preservation than Paige's disabled husband.
Still, Julian had to heed Paige's words. He got the message loud and clear: Protect Paige's husband by order.
"All right, I understand," Julian said, tamping down his earlier amusement.
Kim chimed in offhandedly, "Isn't ten guys a bit too much and too conspicuous? Having a crowd like that tailing an ordinary man; amateurs might not notice, but anyone with a clue will spot that a mile away. You'd be uncovering your intentions."
Kim had a point. Paige contemplated briefly, "Four will do. Pick out the best four. I want them to regard his safety as if it were my own."
Julian nodded. "The best. I'll make sure of it."
Paige continued, "No need for a heavy detail on me either, not even in the shadows."
Julian's smile returned, "Don’t you worry, Ms. Ellison. I'm worth ten men on my own."
Paige added, "Speaking of which, there is someone I do need you to keep safe for me."
Paige's face brightened with a renewed smile. Of course, after all, she was asking for a favor.
"You're not about to ask me to protect your husband myself, are ya, Ms. Ellison? That would be asking too much."
Paige shook her head. "Not my husband, but my birth mother. I fear that if her identity leaks, The Sackler family could threaten her life or use her to bargain with me. That's why I need you to protect her. When the time comes, I'll get her out."
Deep down, Julian longed to stay close, offering his vigilant protection to Paige. Yet when she voiced whose safety she was seeking, it wasn't for herself but her mother; that was an appeal Julian could not turn down.
It was no secret among them that Paige's stint behind bars was all for her mother's sake.
Julian sighed in helpless resignation, "When do I start?"
Paige offered a slight smile. "Right now!"
Despite his reluctance, Julian set off.
Pearl quipped, "Looks like I'll be taking over the steering wheel for you for a while, playing your chauffeur."
"There's no need for that," Paige replied, "Just prepare a car for me. Starting today, I'll be driving myself to work."
As Paige finished, Cecil interjected curiously, "Xanthe, do you even know how to drive?"
"I should... probably," Paige mused. Her driving experience started with race cars; she had a high-class license for that, although she rarely drove ordinary vehicles. But... it shouldn't be a problem, right?
Above all, Paige reasoned, driving alone would make it simpler to pick Raymond up and drop him off at work. Charles, who had been generously carrying Raymond every day, would have less hardship, albeit occasionally he too may have his own troubles.
Even if it were convenient, it wasn’t proper to always impose on others.
Just then, Pearl proffered a tablet, "Xanthe, these are the cars registered to you at your garage. Take a look, which one appeals to you?"
Flicking through the tablet's images, Paige was astounded.
What was all this? Ferraris and Lamborghinis hardly stood out amid the hypercars, a Lykan and even a Viper Venom.
She looked up at Pearl in disbelief, "You're telling me all these cars are mine?"
Pearl took a deep breath, "Although your grandfather passed a decade ago, well, you know the story, his wealth was vast. The foundation managing his finances has been acquiring valuables, appreciating assets, or simply things he cherished ‘before‘.
And now, with you as Xanthe Ellison, everything has been transferred to your name."
Paige inhaled deeply. Before she was released, Zachary had mentioned this, but she hadn't paid much mind.
Wealth, or extreme wealth, in Paige's mind, there was little difference.
Her mission was clear-cut: leverage her new identity, seek revenge, and use the knowledge and skills honed from years of restless toil, to propel Universe Group to newfound heights.
Isn't there, you know, a more understated car? Paige held her brow. Something discrete, something that seems like the car of an average person? Something that is both really safe and won't attract too much attention on the streets?"
Pearl chuckled, "Of course, I've got that customized cab just for you!"
Paige pondered for a moment and took a liking to the idea.
After inspecting the taxi, she confirmed it was customized, with bulletproof bodywork and tires to boot. Safety was definitely not an issue. But the best part was its look, just an ordinary cab. Without hesitation, Paige decided to take it.
Come quitting time, Paige drove the 'taxi' to the Hawke Corporation building and gave Charles a call.
After answering, Charles promptly made his way to Raymond's office.
Raymond was restless, anxiously clutching his cell phone. He had been waiting for news since Paige vanished from the surveillance cameras that morning. He was expecting either word of her escape, or her initiating a divorce.
But there was no news.
When Charles knocked, Raymond sat back down, his face an enduring mask of calm indifference.
"Raymond, madam just called," Charles reported.
Raymond almost jumped to his feet but managed to maintain his composure, "What did she say?" His voice was cool and detached.
Charles knew the situation well, though he wasn't one to stir up drama, he still dutifully relayed, "Madam called to say she would pick you up after work. She also bought groceries and... invited me to join you both for dinner."
His voice trailed off at the end. Anyone who had tried madam's cooking, even those accustomed to Michelin three-starred chefs, would attest to its deliciousness. Charles was keen on the dinner invite but held back his enthusiasm.
Raymond, however, only caught the gist of Charles' words. Paige was coming to pick him up? His cunning, deceitful wife, Paige, had secured something so crucial and yet hadn't fled. And now she was coming to drive him home?
Was it a ploy to bring him home for a confrontation? Or to push for a divorce?
That didn't seem right.
"What did you say madam bought?" Raymond finally asked Charles.
Charles' spirits lifted. Perhaps there was hope for a feast after all. "Groceries for making dinner, a thank you for me chauffeuring you to and from work. She's planning to pick you up daily from now on."
Raymond Carnegie couldn't hold it in any longer and shot to his feet.
She's picking him up from work? Daily? From then on?
