?Chapter 1357:


    Still smiling, he checked just as she asked.


    Hurley looked around carefully, then came back and said, “No one’s outside listening. What is it, sweetheart? If something’s bothering you, just say it. I’m here for you.”


    Christina gave a faint smile, her eyes resting gently on him. The lines around his eyes had deepened, and strands of gray ran through his once-dark hair.


    From the reports she’d seen before, she remembered him as a man full of confidence, energy, and sharp wit.


    But since her disappearance, time had not been kind to them. Her parents had aged quickly, and her grandmother’s hair had turned white almost overnight.


    “Dad, is there anyone out there who would want to hurt you? Someone with the money to make it happen?” Christina asked softly.


    She had nned to warn Florrie first, but the DNA test had dyed her. Once she learned for sure that Hurley was her father, she chose to stay silent.


    When she heard he was back in the country, she decided to wait and tell him face-to-face instead of worrying everyone else.


    Hurley frowned, confused. “What makes you think that way?”


    “Because I heard someone offered a billion to hire a hit man to kill you,” Christina said quietly.


    Hurley froze, shock shing across his face as a wild thought struck him.


    Could his tired-looking daughter possibly be the assassin? Killers worth that much money were rare, their identities always hidden, their missions never leaked. Yet Christina was aware of the killing mission.


    “I’ve always treated people well,” Hurley said seriously. “Your mother and your brothers have, too. Gerry can be careless, but he’s not the type to pick fights or misuse our family’s name.”


    “What about business rivals?” Christina asked calmly.


    “Hmm…” Hurley hesitated, frowning. “Maybe someone has a grudge. Business can get rough sometimes, but I’ve never gone to extremes. It shouldn’t be enough for anyone to want me dead.”


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    “You never know,” Christina said quietly. “Jealousy can twist people’s hearts, and sometimes dangeres from those closest to us.”


    People who hired assassins were almost impossible to track, and the more powerful they were, the harder it became to uncover the truth.


    “Got it. I’ll be more careful,” Hurley said firmly.


    “Try to find out who’s behind it as soon as possible,” Christina reminded him gently.


    “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it,” Hurley said, though his brows remained tense. “But for now… you might have to deal with a few inconveniences. I was nning a family gathering for you, but since someone has that intention, I can’t let my guard down. Until I know who’s behind it, I won’t let outsiders know you are my daughter, because I have to keep you safe. I just got you back, Christina… I can’t lose you again.”


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