Chapter 53 Mutual Surveillance
Raymond's expression instantly turned icy.
With his background, there were always shadows tasked with his protection.
Of course, Paige didn’t know his true identity. She had decided to personally drive him to and from work every day, sparing Charles the trouble. What she didn't know was that Charles would still follow at a distance no matter what.
And unexpectedly, Charles's surveillance yielded a significant development.
How long had it been since anyone had actually trailed him?
Quickly responding to the text, Raymond said, "Don't spook them; let them follow for now." Just watch out that they don't discover our residence.
He and Paige were residing in an ordinary residential complex, not one of the high-security villas he owned, which naturally offered a lower level of safety.
Raymond could not let these people find out where he lived. Not only would it be dangerous for his own safety, but Paige's safety would also be impacted.
The link between Paige and the Ellison family was covert for now, but if those who had been plotting against him in the shadows were to find out, both their lives would be at risk.
Raymond had some ideas about Paige's business, but he didn't have the full picture.
He was aware that she was skilled at picking locks, but didn't know if she had other talents up her sleeve.
If danger arose, he wondered if she could defend herself.
Therefore, Raymond couldn't let anyone discover his residence, let alone the fact that he and Paige were married.
The car headed homeward. It had been a while since Paige drove, but her driving skills were impeccable.
The trip from Universe Group to Hawke Corporation took over ten minutes, but she covered the distance in just a few.
She could get home in record time as well, but considering Raymond was in the passenger seat, she dared not showcase her full prowess behind the wheel, lest she scare him.
So, Paige deliberately slowed down as she drove. However, just as she was about to enter the residential complex, her phone chimed with a notification.
With one hand on the steering wheel, Paige grabbed her phone to check the message.
It was from the security team: "Xanthe, we’ve been covertly covering your car, and we’ve spotted someone tailing you."
Paige was startled. Someone was following her?
Of course, she didn’t think anyone would be tailing Raymond.
It had to be her they were after.
Her request to protect Raymond led to the deployment of a security team consisting of four carefully chosen personnel.
And now they had already picked up a tail.
Someone was following her? On the very day she had convened a board meeting as Xanthe Ellison, she was already being tracked?
Who could be so well-connected and yet so impatient?
In her moment of surprise, Paige's foot accidentally floored on the brake pedal.
Raymond, too, was engrossed in his phone, checking on a muted report from Charles about the tail being intercepted far from the residential complex.
Just as Raymond's mouth curled into a smug grin, his body jerked forward and back with the abrupt stopping motion caused by Paige's sudden braking.
Paige put down her phone quickly and apologized, "Oh, sorry, I haven't driven in ages."
Internally, Raymond thought wryly: “I was looking at my phone, but I saw you on yours, too!”
Out loud, he said, "No phones while driving."
Paige defended herself, "I was checking if there was a message from my boss."
Raymond raised an eyebrow, "Seriously? Boss's orders after hours, are they human?"
Paige was at a loss for words.
What a brainstorming! Paige thought she still needed to find the right moment to come clean with Raymond about her identity.
After all, all four of her excellent assistants agreed that Raymond shouldn't be employed in the public settings, afraid in could result in inadvertent security risks.
Paige had initially thought they were being a tad overcautious.
But now, after merely showing her face at a board meeting, she had already attracted a stalker.
Soon, her identity would be going public. Wouldn't that make tracing connections to Raymond all too easy?
Paige didn't reply to the text, but she knew her security team would handle it. If they couldn't manage that much, they didn't deserve to be in Julian's crew.
Stepping into the elevator on their way home, Paige couldn't resist broaching the subject with Raymond.
"Raymond, considering your use of a wheelchair, have you thought about stepping down from work or taking a long break to focus on getting better? It might be the perfect time to check out the best doctors for your leg, you know?"
Paige felt it crude to be blunt about such things, so she opted for a gentler approach to urge Raymond to focus on recovery.
From his wheelchair, Raymond looked up at Paige, "What are you saying? You want me to quit?"
She clarified quickly, "No, Raymond, I'm not trying to control you or anything, I just think, you know, while we're young, why not prioritize getting treatment for your leg? I felt it last night, and I'm over 90% sure that I can get you to walk again."
Raymond remained silent. Bradley had mentioned her medical prowess. So had Paige herself.
But to this extent?
Just last night, for the first time after being married for so long, they had shared their intimacy.
During which, Raymond certainly did feel Paige touching his leg.
Caught up in the passion, he even thought she might have been appreciating his form...
But it turned out to be a medical examination?
And with such brief contact, she was over ninety percent confident she could heal him. How could she?
Raymond took a deep breath. Was his condition not as convincing as he thought? Did she see something he didn't, to be so sure?
Once inside their home, Paige didn't head straight to the kitchen to cook. Instead, she took a seat on the sofa across from Raymond to have a serious conversation.
"Do you want to keep your job?" she asked.
A faint smile curled on Raymond's lips, "If I quit, who's gonna pay the mortgage?"
Paige replied earnestly, "I'll take care of you."
Raymond was struck. This wasn't the first time Paige had said something like this.
The first time, he had laughed it off.
But this time, he could see the sincerity in her eyes.
She wasn't just talking. She was serious about this.
It was almost laughable; Raymond, a billionaire with an empire at his fingertips, was accustomed only to a horde of women chasing after his wealth. Never had there been one who offered to support him. But now, Raymond was starting to believe it; Paige could stand on her own two feet, financially speaking.
She had an undeniable knack for things.
On a whim, Raymond reached out and pinched Paige’s cheek.
It was such a simple gesture, and yet it left Paige momentarily stunned.
Coming back to her senses, Paige protested, "Hey, watch the makeup, will ya? I put effort into it today."
Raymond teased, "So, Paige, mind telling me why you're all dolled up today?"
"I've had an interview for a new job, gotta look the part, right?" Not a far-fetched claim, considering today she did reveal her true identity as Xanthe Ellison at the board meeting.
Raymond nodded, "I see."
Paige continued, "What do you think about my suggestion? Quitting your job?"
Raymond chuckled, "How could I let you shoulder the family responsibilities alone?"
Paige took a deep breath, considering whether to come clean and tell him everything then and there.
