Chapter 688

No one knew how long Natalie Castillo had been standing at the door.

The trash can at her feet was already overflowing with sunflower seed shells.

She had even dragged a chair over from somewhere and was sitting there, looking like she was waiting to ambush someone.

When Evelyn Ross saw her, her brow immediately furrowed.

She exchanged a glance with Alexander Vance. Both their expressions darkened.

This trip to the border was extremely dangerous.

Rescuing Professor Nathaniel Wright and bringing him home was a classified operation.

It had to succeed on the first try. There could be no complications.

Natalie was a strange person, with a temperament as changeable as the weather.

One moment she was fine, the next she was difficult. Her allegiances were unclear.

How could Evelyn possibly feel comfortable taking her along?

But Natalie had already stood up, brushing sunflower seed crumbs from her clothes.

"Let's go. I'm all ready," she said, her tone light, as if they were just going on a picnic.

Evelyn stared at her. "Ready with what?"

This trip required traveling light.

Natalie patted her small backpack matter-of-factly. "Sunflower seeds! How long is the drive from here to the border? It would be so boring without something to snack on."

"..."

Evelyn's eyes turned cold. "Natalie, I'm not taking you."

Natalie smiled. "Then I'll just tell the other heirs—you're going to rescue someone."

She paused, then added, "Or, I could tell Aldoria directly. Professor Wright is planning to betray them, right?"

Evelyn stepped forward, reaching out to restrain her.

Natalie hastily retreated, but her skills were far inferior to Evelyn's.

Evelyn was faster, instantly grabbing her wrist and twisting it behind her back.

"Ow, ow, ow! Let go, Evelyn!" Natalie cried out.

Evelyn didn't release her.

Natalie tilted her head to look at her. "I set up a timed email. If you restrain me now, it will automatically send in two hours. It only stays safe if I go in regularly to cancel it."

She blinked. "Even if you kill me, the message will still get out."

Evelyn: "..."

Natalie smiled like a cunning fox. "So, the best solution is to take me with you. You can keep an eye on me the whole time. Isn't that more reassuring?"

Evelyn took a deep breath and let go.

Alexander stepped forward. "Let her come."

Evelyn looked at Natalie.

They were supposed to be competitors, yet she sensed no malice from Natalie.

In fact... she found it hard to truly dislike her.

"On this trip—" Evelyn began.

"I'll be obedient!" Natalie immediately raised two fingers. "I swear!"

She looked like a well-behaved rabbit.

Evelyn sighed in resignation and turned to walk downstairs with Alexander.

Natalie skipped along behind them, cracking sunflower seeds as she went.

In the parking lot, Evelyn and Alexander chose the car with the best performance.

Alexander looked at Evelyn. "We have enough time. I'll drive."

"Okay."

Evelyn got into the passenger seat, placing her backpack at her feet.

A rustling sound came from behind.

She turned to look and froze.

Natalie was pulling out an inflatable mattress, efficiently turning the back seat into a bed.

Then she produced a bedsheet, a duvet cover, and even a small side table from who-knows-where.

Within minutes, the back seat had become her cozy little nest.

Natalie lay down, leaned against a soft pillow, and poured herself a glass of water.

"Eating too many sunflower seeds really makes you thirsty," she said, taking a sip. She looked at the front. "Why are you staring? Let's go."

Evelyn: "..."

Alexander: "..."

This didn't look like a mission. It looked like a vacation.

Alexander gave a slight smirk and started the car.

Not long after they set off, Evelyn heard steady breathing from behind.

She turned. Natalie was actually asleep.

She was curled up with a blanket, sleeping soundly.

Completely unguarded.

Evelyn watched her for a long moment, then suddenly looked at Alexander. "Is she so confident because she's sure I won't harm her?"

Alexander kept his eyes on the road, a slight smile on his lips. "Evelyn, do you know? On the surface, you're cold. But your heart is actually very soft."

"What?" Evelyn was taken aback.

Alexander chuckled softly. "She has you figured out."

Evelyn: "..."

They drove at high speed.

Twelve hours later, they reached the border.

Evelyn and Alexander cautiously got out of the car and brought Natalie onto a boat.

The boat headed toward the Aldorian border.

Their mission was to ensure Professor Nathaniel Wright's safe passage home—to provide an escort.