?Chapter 1153:


    “Don’t even tell your parents or sister,” Connor chimed in, his toneced with caution.


    Franco met Connor’s gaze, the seriousness of the situation sinking in. He nodded firmly. “I understand. I’ll keep quiet.”


    While Marissa and Connor were deep in discussion, nning their next steps, Joziah listened without interrupting. Franco didn’t fully understand the conversation, but he sensed they were about to tackle something dangerous.


    After the discussion, Joziah ventured, “Should I reach out to my family for help?”


    Before Marissa could reply, Franco eagerly jumped in. “I can help too. I’m ready and brave. Just tell me what to do.”


    “Thank you, Franco,” Marissa said, offering a gentle smile. “Right now, we don’t need extra hands, but I’ll keep you in mind if things change. Focus on what you’re supposed to be doing.”


    “Sure thing,” Franco nodded, his readiness evident in his posture, especially under Marissa’s guidance.


    Turning to Joziah, Marissa expressed her appreciation. “Thanks, Joziah. You’ve been a tremendous help over the years. I don’t want to drag you deeper into this, or use your family’s resources.”


    Connor thanked Joziah as well and assured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll support her.”


    Once everything was in order, Marissa put on her fake face and left the Daniels Group for the airport. Though her actions seemed secretive, she had intentionally shared all the details with ir.


    g α? ησ ν?? ?s takes you away


    Marissa was en route to the airport on the outskirts of the city when she veered onto a secluded country road shaded by towering trees. Abruptly, a swarm of figures d in ck emerged from the surrounding woods, swiftly encircling her car, with rissa leading the charge.


    Narrowing her eyes, Marissa had anticipated such an encounter and thus remained poised and unmoving.


    Dressed in form-fitting ck, rissa signaled her associates to unlock the car door.


    With the door swung open, rissa approached Marissa in the back seat. “Hi, Dr. Finley. My boss is eager to meet with you.”


    Marissa looked back at her evenly. “Who is your boss, and what do they want with me?”


    rissa’s smile was cryptic. “Dr. Finley, your expertise has drawn us to you, and we’d like to propose a coboration. However, I’m not at liberty to disclose his identity just yet. You’ll meet him soon enough.”


    Marissa cast a brief nce around. “Considering the entourage you’ve brought to intercept me, it seems I have little choice but to follow your lead.”


    Acknowledging with a slight nod, rissa tilted her head. “Dr. Finley, you are astute. The wise invariably discern their best move.”


    “Fine, I’lle with you,” Marissa relented. “But ensure no harmes to my driver. He is an innocent bystander and should remain uninvolved. Without this assurance, I refuse to engage in any discussion of cooperation.”


    rissa observed the driver in the front seat. Though he looked like any other, his impressive height and solid build, paired with hisposed response to the unexpected situation, suggested there was more to him than met the eye. Her intuition signaled that this was no ordinary driver; releasing him could causeplications.


    “I won’t harm him,” rissa said. “However, we can’t let him go just yet. We’ll decide his fate after you’ve met with my boss.”


    With a gesture from rissa, the driver was quickly ushered out of the car and directed towards their helicopter.


    After the driver was escorted away, rissa refocused on Marissa, speaking with respect. “Dr. Finley, if you would please.”


    Marissa said nothing, exiting the car and walking beside rissa as they boarded the helicopter, remaining silent throughout.


    Marissa stepped onto the ne, casting a fleeting nce at her driver before settling into her seat without so much as a nod in rissa’s direction.


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