?Chapter 1576:


    Maia cut straight to the point, her tone cool and blunt. “I need to speak to General Watson right now.”


    A stunned pause. Then, quickly: “Of course—yes, Ms. Watson. He’s right here. One second.”


    Hurried footsteps crackled over the line.


    A momentter, Dominic’s voice came through—older, gravelly, but unmistakably warm with hope. “Maia…”


    A soft, satisfied sigh escaped him. “Have you made your choice? Will you return to Drakmire with me?”


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    “General Watson.” Maia’s voice sliced through Dominic’s hopeful warmth like a de, cool and detached. “I have one question. It touches on military secrets, so feel free not to answer.”


    On the other end, Dominic’s easy smile faltered for a split second. She still sounded as distant and sharp as she had when they first met. He assumed the grudge was still burning.


    His gaze flicked sideways to Cade, who was shamelessly hovering just inside earshot. Dominic’s eyes hardened, turning icy. This was a family matter—between a grandfather and his granddaughter. What was Cade doing, skulking around like this?


    Cade caught the re, flinched, shed a sheepish grin, pointed vaguely toward the hallway, and practically sprinted out.


    The door clicked shut. Only then did the hard lines of Dominic’s face soften. A faint, fond smile curved his mouth.


    “I’m your grandfather, Maia. Why do you talk to me like I’m some stranger on the other side of a negotiation table? Ask whatever you want. I’ll answer if I can.”


    “Fine.” Her tone didn’t thaw. “Are your personnel currently moving toward Tunnel 103 in the northern suburbs?”


    Dominic’s brow lifted. Surprise flickered behind his eyes. That deployment had been ordered less than an hour ago—ck-channel ssified. Even his own granddaughter had zero clearance for that information.


    “Why do you ask?” he countered carefully. “Are you somewhere nearby? Or did you already cross paths with them?”


    He neither confirmed nor denied. Firing off two questions in a row was a textbook sign of defensiveness.


    Maia’s lips curved in the smallest, knowing smile. She didn’t need more.


    “Understood,” she said softly. “General Watson… the people they’re pursuing aren’t enemies, at least not for now. I’m asking you not to act rashly.”


    Before he could respond, she ended the call.


    The beep hummed in Dominic’s ear.


    He stared at the phone, caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief. She had extracted the truth from thin air. He hadn’t given her an answer, and still she had read him like an open file.


    His granddaughter was terrifyingly sharp.


    A sudden bark ofughter escaped him—deep, delighted, proud. “Outstanding! That’s my blood. Pure Watson instinct. With perception like that, she was born to lead.”


    Talent like hers belonged in Drakmire. Military or not, she could elevate the entire family name.


    Still chuckling, Dominic strode out of the room and thrust the phone at the waiting Cade. “Give Maia my direct line. She can reach me herself from now on—no need for you to be the middleman.”


    “Yes, sir!” Cade snapped to attention.


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