Meanwhile, in a ck sedan parked just outside Ashbourne Park, Grace''s men kept their eyes locked on the entrance and exit of the neighborhood.


    One of them grabbed the walkie-talkie and spoke up. "Seth, a sedan just pulled into theplex.


    "We didn''t see this car leave this morning. Looks suspicious to me. There are two people inside, but I can''t see their faces."


    When the car didn''t stop in front of Alex''s building and instead drove further into theplex, the man finally let out a breath. "Probably not here for Alex."


    Seth''s voice came through the walkie-talkie. "Keep an eye on it. Don''t do anything reckless. She will be here soon. Report any changes right away."


    "Got it."


    Matthew had already noticed the ck sedan at the gate. He kept driving until they were two buildings deeper into theplex before stopping in front of the unit''s entrance. Reese gave him a puzzled look, and Matthew exined quietly, "That car by the entrance seemed a little off."


    When Reese tried to nce back, Matthew slipped his arm around her shoulders and gently steered her into the lobby, pressing the button for the basement parking. "Don''t look back."


    The apartmentplex was old, and the underground parking always fell short. Visitors usually had to leave their cars above ground, but you could still get to Alex''s building from the basement level.


    As they walked together, Reese caught a faint, clean scent of soap from Matthew. Her ears turned a little pink, and the warmth lingered even after they stepped into the elevator and Matthew let go.


    Upstairs, Alex had been waiting for Reese. The moment he heard a knock, he hurried over, checked the peephole, and opened the door as soon as he saw it was her. "Ms. Meyer, you''re here!"


    His tone was anxious, his eyes searching her face for any sign of news. "Nicole... How is she?"


    Reese walked in and took a look around. The two-bedroom apartment was simply decorated but tidy. Clearly, George had put thought into picking a safe ce to hide.


    "Let''s sit down first," she said,


    settling onto the sofa. She motioned


    for Alex to sit, and he quickly


    the seat across from her, lean


    forward, unable to hide


    his worry Matthew sat down in the armchair nearby, shaking his head a little as he watched Alex. He couldn''t help thinking how lucky Leslie was to have a father who cared so much.


    "I visited Leslie at the National Security Bureau today." Reese''s gaze softened with sympathy, but she didn''t sugarcoat the truth. "She saw your photo and got really emotional."


    Alex tried to smile, but it looked more like he was about to cry. "She... she mes me, doesn''t she?"


    "She''s not doing well. She''s been under a lot of pressure these past days," Reese told him gently. "But she hasn''t been mistreated. They don''t do things like torture anymore."


    "That''s a relief. Really." Alex wiped the corner of his eye, trying topose himself. "Why would she do something like this? She used to be such a good kid. She would never get herself into trouble on purpose."


    Reese paused before answering honestly. “Alex, people change. The environment they''re in, the things they go through it all shapes them. The truth is, Leslie really did steal national secrets. There''s solid evidence. No one can change that nów. She only has two options."


    "Either she gets sent back home, but that would take some serious behind-the- scenes negotiation. Or she stays here and serves her sentence."


    Alex seemed to copse in on himself, but he still nodded. "I understand, Ms. Meyer. Thank you for going out of your way for me."


    "Alex, I know this might sound a bit harsh," Reese said, her voice careful, "but can you tell me now where the recording of your conversation with Grace is?"


    Alex took a deep breath, like he was finally ready to let go of a heavy secret. "The recording from back then... It''s with my cousin, back in my hometown. He lives in..."