Chapter <b>499 </b>
“Nina, let’s go. Bowen was asked to stay by the Walton family to discuss some personal matters. Kelvin just messaged me. Looks like they won’t be done anytime soon,” Aubree said, looking down at her phone.
She had interacted with Darius earlier, feigning interest in biotechnology and arranging to talk in more detailter.
Nina agreed without hesitation. Her job was <b>to </b>protect Aubree, so wherever Aubree went, she was right behind.
The two of them left the <b>Walton </b>family estate together.
Carmen watched them go. She didn’t recognize Nina and naturally assumed she was just one of Aubree’s assistants or secretaries. Among Aubree’s group, the only one with any real threat <b>was </b>Vincent. Aubree had already sent him away.
Carmen couldn’t help the joy bubbling inside her and broke into a smile. Aubree, oh Aubree… You’re digging your own grave:
She had originally been thinking of how to get rid of Vincent to ensure nothing would go wrong, but Aubree had done it for her.
“Carmen…” Bryan appeared at her side without her noticing. Carmen quickly pulled herself together. “Daxton, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Daxton frowned. “Just… do you know why Mom and Dad insisted I keep Bowen from leaving the Walton family estate?”
Bowen had been held back by Darius to <b>discuss </b>business. A key <b>reason </b>was that he had mentioned the potential ofbining artificial intelligence with medical applications. The concept <b>had </b>greatly inspired Darius, who was now engrossed in conversation with him.
Carmen’s eyes flickered slightly. “I’m not really sure. Maybe they’vee up with some n to talk Aubree into returning, and having Mr. Turner around makes it inconvenient.”
Daxton nodded, reluctantly epting her exnation. He noticed Casper sneaking around nearby, clearly wanting toe <b>over</b>, and his face darkened. “When are we leaving?”
“Later. Bryan still has some things to discuss with the Walton family,” Carmen replied.
Seeing that Carmen wouldn’t <b>leave</b>, Daxton changed the subject as he noticed Casper getting closer<b>. </b><b>“</b>Carmen<b>, </b>what do you think of Casper<b>?</b>”
Carmen was momentarily stunned. Of course<b>, </b>she knew <b>Casper </b>liked her. He was two years older, and <b>their </b>rtionship, honestly speaking, <b>was </b>just regr friends based on the <b>two </b>families‘ long–standing <b>ties</b>.
“I’ve always seen him as a big brother who’s very nice to me.” Carmen didn’t understand Daxton’s intentions, but she knew well enough how to choose between Casper and Daxton. She gave <b>a </b>safe answer.
“Besides, you know I like Alvin.” At the mention of Alvin, Carmen thought of how he had been actively reaching out to hertely, and her smile turned sweet.
Daxion’s gaze immediately darkened. He was satisfied with the first part, but the <b>rest</b><b>… </b>
He raised his hand and patted her on the head, ncing sideways. The <b>spot </b>where Casper had been trying to sneak closer was now empty.
Aubree and Nina were nearing the Walton family’s parking garage when Aubree suddenly stopped and felt around her body. “I think I left my bracelet at the Walton family’s ce.”
“Is it important?” Nina asked.
“Bowen gave it to me,” Aubree replied.
Nina asked, “Should I tell Mr. Turner and Mr. Malone to look for it when they leave?”
Aubree shook her head. “Nina, you go start the car. I’ll go back and ask the cleaningdies if they’ve seen it.”
got snagged off.
Everyone at this banquet was wealthy or powerful. Theft was unlikely. It was probably just crowded, and the bracelet
Nina figured that by the time she got the car and drove to the estate gate, Aubree would be back. “Alright.”
The Walton family’s private estate was mostly used for entertaining guests, with a specially built underground parking garage. Even with lights, it was quite dim
Nina reached the car, just about to take the <b>keys</b>, when a sharp instinct made her suddenly alert. Her <b>eyes</b>, like a <b>hawk</b>, scanned the area <b>sharply</b><b>. </b>“Who’s there<b>?</b><b>” </b>
The couple hiding in the <b>dark </b>quickly ducked down. “Is it that girl<b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>2:42 </b>PM
“How would I <b>know</b><b>? </b>She <b>was </b>only five back then<b>, </b><b>a </b>tiny kid. Now she’s <b>grown </b>up. How <b>could </b>I <b>recognize </b><b>her</b><b>? </b>But she does look like the woman in the photo<b>.</b><b>” </b>
This little brat is pretty <b>sharp</b>. She <b>actually </b><b>noticed </b>us <b>just </b><b>now</b><b>. </b>The middle<b>–</b>aged man muttered.
“Enough with <b>the </b>crap. No <b>matter </b><b>how </b><b>sharp </b><b>she </b><b>is</b>, she’s <b>just </b><b>one </b><b>person</b>. What <b>can </b>she do? <b>Plus</b>, Mrs. Diamonde arranged <b>people </b>for us. <b>Let’s </b><b>get </b>this done quickly and be done with it<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Mrs. Diamonde said <b>once </b><b>we’re </b>done with this job, <b>we’ll </b>be sent <b>overseas</b><b>. </b>No more hiding <b>from </b>the police<b>.” </b>The <b>woman’s </b><b>eyes </b><b>were </b><b>sinister </b>and
cold.
The man looked Nina up and down<b>, </b>a filthy idea taking <b>root</b>. Their employer said to <b>“</b><b>take </b>care of her anyway. Since she was going <b>to </b>die, he might <b>as </b>well enjoy her before that.
<b>“</b>She’s <b>just </b><b>a </b>little girl. I can handle her <b>myself</b>.” The man <b>sneered </b>and approached with a drug–soaked cloth in hand.
Suddenly<b>, </b>Nina spun around and kicked as he came closer. A beautiful spinning kicknded in his abdomen, almost making him cough up blood. <b>“</b>Who <b>are </b>you?”
“Damn, you’ve <b>got </b>some fire!” The man’s eyes turned vicious<b>. </b>“Don’t remember me? We met when you <b>were </b>five.*
He grinned, revealing <b>yellow </b><b>teeth</b>, and his smile <b>was </b>chilling.
‘Five <b>years </b>old?‘ Nina quickly <b>processed </b>the information. She immediately thought of the kidnapping incident when Aubree was five. Given the <b>current </b>situation, it looked like this man had mistaken her <b>for </b>Aubree.
The woman cursed when she saw the man <b>fail </b>and stepped out of the shadows with <b>other </b><b>ck</b>–d bodyguards arranged <i>by </i>Alice. “What are you babbling about?”
Nina immediately assumed a defensive stance<b>. </b>Her mind <b>was </b>quick. She didn’t know Aubree’s current situation. It was better to y along. She was better able to protect herself than Aubree.
“So <b>it’s </b>you filthy cockroaches. Been hiding all these years, and now you’re done hiding?” Nina sneered, her face full of contempt.
<b>“</b><b>You’ve </b>got a sharp tongue!” The man stared intently at Nina’s exposed skin. Since leaving the Turner family, she didn’t have to do chores but kept up her training. Her perfectly proportioned and toned body was both strong and seductive.
Nina frowned in disgust<b>, </b>quickly scanning the guards approaching her. These people were clearly trained. She couldn’t take them all alone…
She swiftly devised the best strategy in her mind. She was carrying a tracker. Even if she was captured<b>, </b>Bowen would find her. Better to conserve her strength forter. Besides, this couple was likely the same traffickers who had kidnapped Aubree all those years ago. There were clearly more people behind them.
Nina pretended to resist and quickly feigned being overpowered.
Nina smirked. “A bunch of grown men bullying one woman. Shameless.<b>” </b>
“Aww, Missy, you’re not just any ordinary girl!” the manughed smugly<b>, </b>taking out the drug–soaked cloth and pressing it over her nose and mouth.
Nina knew this kind of drug well. She held her breath and pretended to pass out.
<b>“</b>Alright<b>, </b>we’ll take it from here<b>. </b>You guys leave,” the man said with a lecherous grin and reached out to grab her.
The woman’s <b>face </b>darkened, and she pped him. “Get lost. I’ll guard her. Timothy, don’t think I don’t know what you’re nning.”
Knowing he was in the wrong, Timothy <b>Greer </b>didn’t dare argue.
A ck Mercedes drove out of the Walton family’s parking garage.