<span style="">Chapter <span style="">56 <span style="">Mr <span style="">Harris <span style="">Slept <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">Sofa
<span style="">“<span style="">Adults <strong>can </strong><span style="">consume <span style="">alcohol<span style="">. <span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <span style="">feel <span style="">free <span style="">to <span style="">drink <span style="">as <span style="">much <span style="">as <span style="">you <span style="">like<span style="">, <span style="">just <span style="">remember <span style="">to <span style="">drink <span style="">in <span style="">moderation <span style="">for <span style="">the <strong>sake </strong><span style="">of <span style="">your <span style="">health<span style="">,” <span style="">said George<span style="">.
<span style="">He <strong>was </strong><span style="">such <span style="">a <span style="">gentleman<span style="">, <span style="">and <span style="">it <span style="">made <span style="">her <span style="">feel <span style="">a <span style="">bit <span style="">self<span style="">–<span style="">conscious<span style="">,
<span style="">Rumours <span style="">had <span style="">it <span style="">that <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris <span style="">never <span style="">engaged <span style="">in <span style="">the <span style=""pany <span style="">of <span style="">women<span style="">. <span style="">Is <span style="">he <span style="">a <span style="">man <span style="">of <span style="">integrity<span style="">, <span style="">or <span style="">is <span style="">he <span style="">just <span style="">too <span style="">selective<span style="">? <span style="">Or <span style="">perhaps<span style="">… <span style="">he <span style="">has <span style="">some undisclosed <span style="">condition<span style="">?
<span style="">With <span style="">this <span style="">thought<span style="">, <span style="">Isabelle’s <span style="">eyes <span style="">roamed over <span style="">his <span style="">body<span style="">, <span style="">lingering <span style="">particrly <span style="">on <span style="">his <span style="">handsome <span style="">face<span style="">.
<span style="">If <span style="">he <span style="">did <span style="">have <span style="">a <span style="">condition<span style="">, <span style="">it <span style="">would <span style="">be <span style="">such <span style="">a <span style="">waste<span style="">.
<span style="">George <span style="">noticed <span style="">her <span style="">gaze<span style="">. <span style="">Seeing <span style="">the <span style="">look <span style="">of <span style="">pity <span style="">in <span style="">her <span style="">eyes<span style="">, <span style="">he <span style="">felt <span style="">a <span style="">bit <span style="">puzzled<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">What’s <span style="">wrong<span style="">?<span style="">” <span style="">he <span style="">asked<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Nothing<span style="">. <span style="">I’m <span style="">going <span style="">to <span style="">take <span style="">a <span style="">shower<span style="">.<span style="">” <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">walked <span style="">to <span style="">the <span style="">sofa<span style="">, <span style="">picked <span style="">up <span style="">her <span style="">clothes<span style="">, <strong>and </strong><span style="">said<span style="">, <span style="">“<span style="">Thank <span style="">you <span style="">for <span style="">the <span style="">clothes<span style="">, <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">Then <span style="">she <span style="">went <span style="">into <span style="">the <span style="">bedroom<span style="">.
<span style="">The <span style="">top <span style="">floor <span style="">of <span style="">the <span style="">hotel <span style="">was <span style="">calm<span style="">.
<span style="">But <span style="">the <span style="">lower <span style="">floors <span style="">were <span style="">in <span style="">turmoil<span style="">.
<span style="">A <span style=""rge <span style="">number <span style="">of <span style="">people <span style="">were <span style="">infiltrating <span style="">the <span style="">hotel<span style="">.
<span style="">Fortunately<span style="">, <span style="">Dn <span style="">had <span style="">brought <span style="">enough <span style="">people <span style="">to <span style="">tightly <span style="">guard <span style="">the <span style="">top <span style="">floor<span style="">. <span style="">The <span style="">reinforcements <span style="">had <span style="">also <span style="">arrived <span style="">outside <span style="">the <span style="">hotel<span style="">, <span style="">effectively <span style="">controlling <span style="">the <span style="">entire <span style="">building<strong>.</strong>
<span style="">The <span style="">people <span style="">in <span style="">the <span style="">shadows <span style="">were <span style="">ready <span style="">to <span style="">make <span style="">a <span style="">move<span style="">, <span style="">but <span style="">at <span style="">this <span style="">moment<span style="">, <span style="">the <span style="">scout <span style="">noticed <span style="">something <span style="">amiss<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">Don’t <span style="">act <span style="">rashly<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">Sure <span style="">enough<span style="">, <span style="">soon <span style="">after<span style="">, <span style="">the <span style=""rades <span style="">outside <span style="">the <span style="">hotel <span style="">sent <span style="">a <span style="">message<span style="">: <span style="">The <span style="">people <span style="">from <span style="">God’s <span style="">Armament <span style="">have <span style="">arrived<span style="">. <span style="">Tell <span style="">the <span style="">others <span style="">not <span style="">to <span style="">act <span style="">rashly<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">God’s <span style="">Armament<span style="">? <span style="">How <span style="">did <span style="">their <span style="">people <span style="">get <span style="">here<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">After <span style="">spending <span style="">half <span style="">a <span style="">day <span style="">in <span style="">the <span style="">desert<span style="">, <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">felt <span style="">refreshed <span style="">after <span style="">taking <span style="">a <span style="">shower<span style="">. <span style="">However<span style="">, <span style="">her <span style="">good
<span style="">I <span style="">didn’t <span style=""st <span style="">for <span style="">a <span style="">minute<span style="">. <span style="">After <span style="">getting <span style="">dressed<span style="">, <span style="">she <span style="">looked <span style="">down <span style="">at <span style="">her <span style="">chest <span style="">and <span style="">was <span style="">speechless<span style="">.
<span style="">The <span style="">clothes <span style="">fit <span style="">perfectly<span style="">–<span style="">even <span style="">better <strong>than </strong><span style="">the <span style="">ones <span style="">she <span style="">bought <span style="">herself<span style="">. <span style="">When <span style="">she <span style="">had <span style="">suggested <span style="">buying <span style="">clothes<strong>, </strong><span style="">George <span style="">had <span style="">subtly <span style="">measured <span style="">her<strong>, </strong><span style="">which <span style="">hadn’t <span style="">escaped <span style="">Isabelle’s <span style="">notice<span style="">.
<span style="">His <span style="">eyes <span style="">are <span style="">sharp<span style="">!
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">gritted <span style="">her <span style="">teeth <span style="">in <span style="">annoyance<span style="">.
<span style="">Coming <span style="">out <span style="">of <span style="">the <span style="">bathroom<span style="">/<span style="">she <span style="">saw <span style="">the <span style="">man <span style="">sitting <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">sofa <span style="">in <span style="">the <span style="">bedroom<span style="">, <span style="">dressed <span style="">in <span style="">a <span style="">bathrobe<span style="">, <span style="">looking <span style="">every <span style="">bit <span style="">the <span style="">gentleman<span style="">. <span style="">His <span style="">long <span style="">legs <span style="">were <span style="">crossed<span style="">, <span style="">and <span style="">he <span style="">was <span style="">looking <span style="">at <span style="">his <span style="">phone<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <span style="">do <span style="">you <span style="">like <span style="">the <span style="">clothes<span style="">? <span style="">Do <span style="">they <span style="">fit <span style="">well<span style="">? <span style="">George <span style="">looked <span style="">up <span style="">and <span style="">asked<span style="">.
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<span style="">Chapter <span style="">56 <span style="">Mr <span style="">Harris <span style="">Slept <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">Sofa
<span style="">“<span style="">They <span style="">fit <span style="">well<span style="">, <strong>and </strong><span style="">I <span style="">like <span style="">them<span style="">!<span style="">” <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">replied<span style="">.
<span style="">George <span style="">seemed <strong>to </strong><strong>sense </strong><span style="">a <span style="">chill <span style="">in <span style="">her <span style="">tone<span style="">, <span style="">and <span style="">he <span style="">looked <span style="">at <span style="">her <span style="">clothes <span style="">in <span style="">confusion<span style="">.
<span style="">He <span style="">wondered<span style="">, <span style="">Does <span style="">she <span style="">not <span style="">like <span style="">them<span style="">?
<span style="">Seeing <span style="">Isabelle’s <span style="">indifferent <span style="">expression<span style="">, <span style="">George <span style="">thought <span style="">for <span style="">a <span style="">moment<span style="">, <span style="">then <span style="">understood<span style="">. <span style="">He <span style="">had <strong>some </strong><span style="">understanding <span style="">of <span style="">Isabelle’s <span style="">character<span style="">–<span style="">once <span style="">her <span style="">goal <span style="">was <span style="">achieved<span style="">, <span style="">she <span style="">would <span style="">immediately <span style="">drop <span style="">the <span style="">act<span style="">.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
<span style="">It <span style="">seemed <span style="">this <span style="">time <span style="">would <span style="">be <span style="">no <span style="">different<span style="">.
<span style="">He <span style="">couldn’t <span style="">help <span style="">but <span style="">smile<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">That’s <span style="">good<span style="">.”
<span style="">“<span style="">Good <span style="">night<span style="">, <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">.<span style="">” <span style="">Isabelle<span style="">, <span style="">drying <span style="">her <span style="">long <span style="">hair<span style="">, <span style="">walked out<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Wait <span style="">a <span style="">moment<span style="">.” <span style="">George <span style="">stopped <span style="">her<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Is <span style="">there <span style="">anything <span style="">else<span style="">?<span style="">” <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">turned <strong>around</strong><span style="">, <span style="">drying <span style="">her <span style="">hair <span style="">as <span style="">she <span style="">looked <span style="">at <span style="">him<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <span style="">are <span style="">you <span style="">nning <span style="">to <span style="">sleep <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">sofa <span style="">outside<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">nced <span style="">at <span style="">the <span style="">sofa <span style="">he <span style="">was sitting <span style="">on <span style="">and <span style="">thought<span style="">, <em><span style="">I’m </em><span style="">not <span style="">sleeping <span style="">outside, <strong>does </strong><span style="">that <span style="">mean <span style="">I’m <span style="">sleeping <span style="">inside<span style="">?
<span style="">“<span style="">I’m <span style="">not <span style="">picky<span style="">. <span style="">If <span style="">it <span style="">weren’t <span style="">for <span style="">you<span style="">, <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">, <span style="">I <span style="">might <span style="">be <span style="">sleeping <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">streets <span style="">tonight<span style="">, <span style="">not <span style="">knowing <span style="">if <span style="">I’d <span style="">be <span style="">alive <span style="">tomorrow<strong>.</strong><strong>”</strong>
<span style="">That <strong>wasn’t </strong><span style="">sincere<strong>.</strong>
<span style="">George <span style="">said<span style="">, <span style="">“<span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <strong>you </strong><span style="">should <span style="">sleep <span style="">in <span style="">the <span style="">bed<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">In <span style="">bed<span style="">?
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">looked <span style="">at <span style="">the <span style="">luxurious <strong>and </strong><span style="">soft <span style="">bed<span style="">, <span style="">her <span style="">delicate <span style="">eyebrows <span style="">slowly <span style="">raising<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Although <span style="">this <span style="">bed <span style="">is <span style="">big <span style="">enough <span style="">for <span style="">five <span style="">or <span style="">six <span style="">people<strong>, </strong><span style="">it’s <span style="">already <span style="">scandalous <span style="">for <span style="">a <span style="">man <span style="">and <span style="">a <span style="">woman <span style="">to <span style="">share <span style="">a <span style="">room<span style="">. <span style="">If <span style="">we <span style="">sleep <span style="">together<span style="">… <span style="">As <span style="">an <span style="">ordinary <span style="">person<span style="">, <span style="">I <span style="">don’t <span style="">care<span style="">, <span style="">but <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">, <span style="">you <span style="">have <span style="">a <span style="">big <span style="">family <strong>and </strong><span style="">many <strong>subordinates</strong><span style="">. <span style="">If <span style="">this <span style="">gets <span style="">out
<span style="">George <span style="">smiled <span style="">and <span style="">exined<span style="">, <span style="">“<span style="">If <span style="">you <span style="">sleep <span style="">in <span style="">the <span style="">bed<span style="">, <span style="">I <span style="">will <span style="">sleep <span style="">on <span style="">the <strong>sofa</strong><span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">sleeping <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">sofa<span style="">? <span style="">That <span style="">doesn’t <span style="">seem <span style="">right<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">Hearing <span style="">Isabelle’s <span style="">words<span style="">, <span style="">George <span style="">knew <strong>that </strong><span style="">she <span style="">was <span style="">up <span style="">to <span style="">something <span style="">again<span style="">. <span style="">He <span style="">was <span style="">genuinely <span style="">being <span style="">polite<span style="">, <span style="">but <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">might <span style="">not <span style="">be<span style="">.
<span style="">This <span style="">girl <span style="">is <span style="">really <span style="">interesting<span style="">.
<span style="">“<strong>I’m </strong><span style="">a <span style="">man<span style="">, <span style="">and <span style="">I’m <span style="">sturdy<span style="">. <span style="">I <span style="">should <span style="">sleep <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">sofa<span style="">.<span style="">” <span style="">George <span style="">put <span style="">down <span style="">his <span style="">phone<span style="">, <span style="">stood
<span style="">stood <span style="">up<span style="">, <span style="">and <span style="">crouched <span style="">down <span style="">in <span style="">front <span style="">of <span style="">the <span style="">TV <span style="">cab<span style="">.
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">watched <span style="">his <span style="">back<span style="">, <span style="">seeing <span style="">him <span style="">open <span style="">one <span style="">cab <span style="">after <span style="">another<span style="">, <span style="">not <span style="">knowing <span style="">what <span style="">he <span style="">was <span style="">looking
<strong>for</strong><strong>.</strong>
<span style="">ust <span style="">as <span style="">she <span style="">was <strong>about </strong><strong>to </strong><span style="">ask <span style="">she <strong>saw </strong><span style="">that <span style="">he <span style="">seemed <span style="">have <span style="">found <span style="">it<span style="">.
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<span style="">Chapter <span style="">56 <span style="">Mr <span style="">Harris <span style="">Slept <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">Sofa
<span style="">Then <span style="">she <span style="">saw <span style="">him <span style="">close <span style="">the cab <span style="">and <span style="">stand <span style="">up<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">The <span style="">temperature <span style="">difference <span style="">between <span style="">day <span style="">and <span style="">night <span style="">here <span style="">is <span style="">quite <span style="">significant<span style="">. <span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <span style="">you <span style="">should <span style="">dry <span style="">your <span style="">hair <span style="">before <span style="">going <span style="">to <span style="">bed<span style="">, <span style="">or <span style="">you <span style="">might <span style="">catch <span style="">a <span style="">cold<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">looked <span style="">down <span style="">at <span style="">the <span style="">hair <span style="">dryer <span style="">he <span style="">had <span style="">handed <span style="">her<span style="">.
<span style="">Then <span style="">she <span style="">looked <strong>back </strong><span style="">up <span style="">at <span style="">him<strong>, </strong><span style="">silent <span style="">for <span style="">two <span style="">seconds<span style="">, <span style="">and <span style="">then <span style="">smiled<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">, <span style="">you’re <span style="">good <span style="">at <span style="">taking <span style="">care <span style="">of <span style="">people<span style="">. <span style="">After <span style="">saying <span style="">that<span style="">, <span style="">she <span style="">took <span style="">the <span style="">hair <span style="">dryer <span style="">and went <span style="">into <span style="">the <span style="">bathroom <span style="">to <span style="">dry <span style="">her <span style="">hair<span style="">.
<span style="">When <span style="">she <span style="">came <span style="">out <span style="">with <span style="">her <span style="">hair <span style="">dry<span style="">, <span style="">she <span style="">saw <span style="">that <span style="">there <span style="">was <span style="">a <span style="">nket <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">sofa <span style="">where <span style="">George <span style="">was <span style="">sitting<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <span style="">you <span style="">should <span style="">go <span style="">to <span style="">bed<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">“<span style="">Well<span style="">, <span style="">I <span style="">won’t <span style="">be <span style="">polite <span style="">then<span style="">.”
<span style="">George <span style="">smiled <span style="">and <span style="">nodded<span style="">.
<span style="">Isabelle <span style=""y <span style="">down <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">bed<span style="">, <span style="">feeling <span style="">so <span style=""fortable <span style="">that <span style="">she <span style="">wanted <span style="">to <span style="">stretch<span style="">.
<span style="">In <span style="">this <span style="">second <span style="">life<span style="">, <span style="">it <span style="">was <span style="">the <span style="">first <strong>time </strong><span style="">she <span style="">had <span style="">slept <span style="">in <span style="">such <span style="">a <span style=""fortable <span style="">bed<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">, <span style="">you’re <span style="">so <span style="">gentlemanly <span style="">and <span style="">considerate<span style="">. <span style="">I’m <span style="">sure <span style="">many <span style="">girls <span style="">like <span style="">you<span style="">.” <span style="">Lying <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">soft <span style="">bed<span style="">, <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">conscientiously <span style="">didn’t <span style="">forget <span style="">to <span style=""pliment <span style="">him<span style="">.
<span style="">You <span style="">tter <span style="">me<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">turned <span style="">to <span style="">her <span style="">side<span style="">, <span style="">propping <span style="">her <span style="">head <span style="">up <span style="">with <span style="">one <span style="">hand<span style="">, <span style="">looking <span style="">at <span style="">the <span style="">man <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">sofa<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">Do <span style="">you <span style="">have <span style="">many <span style="">women<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">“<span style="">Cough<span style="">.<span style="">” <span style="">George <span style="">was <span style="">taken <span style="">aback <span style="">by <span style="">her <span style="">sudden<span style="">, <span style="">bold <span style="">question <span style="">and <span style="">looked <span style="">at <span style="">her<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">What<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">raised <span style="">an <span style="">eyebrow<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">Such <span style="">a <span style="">big <span style="">reaction<span style="">. <span style="">Have <span style="">you <span style="">been <span style="">single <span style="">all <span style="">this <span style="">time<span style="">?”
<span style="">“<span style="">You’re <span style="">making <span style="">fun <span style="">of <span style="">me<span style="">, <span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">.”
<span style="">“<span style="">Do <strong>all </strong><span style="">you <span style="">wealthy <span style="">people <span style="">talk <span style="">like <span style="">this<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">“<span style="">Hmm<span style="">?<span style="">” <span style="">His <span style="">voice <span style="">rose <span style="">at <span style="">the <span style="">end<span style="">, <span style="">indescribably <span style=""zy <span style="">and <span style="">charming<span style="">.
<span style="">nind<span style="">. <span style="">I <span style="">was <span style=""plimenting <span style="">you<span style="">.”
<span style="">George <span style="">blinked<span style="">. <span style="">Was <span style="">that <span style="">a <span style=""pliment<span style="">?
<span style="">White <span style="">Owl <span style="">sent <span style="">her <span style="">a <span style="">message <span style="">asking <span style="">her <span style="">where <span style="">she <span style="">was <span style="">and <span style="">if <span style="">she <span style="">was <span style="">safe<span style="">.
<span style="">White <span style="">Owl <span style="">told <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">that <span style="">they <span style="">had <span style="">learned <span style="">from <span style="">some people <span style="">at <span style="">the <span style="">duel <span style="">tournament <span style="">arena <span style="">that <span style="">the <span style="">Hurricane <span style="">Mercenary <span style="">Corps <span style="">way <span style="">nning <span style="">to <strong>attack </strong><span style="">them<span style="">.
<span style="">He <span style="">was worried <span style="">about <span style="">Isabelle<span style="">/<span style="">afraid <span style="">that <span style="">the <span style="">people <span style="">from <span style="">the <span style="">Hurricane <span style="">would <span style="">harm <span style="">her<span style="">.
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">calmly <span style=""posed <span style="">a <span style="">message<span style="">: <span style="">“<span style="">They <strong>are </strong><span style="">downstairs<span style="">.”
<span style="">White <span style="">Owl <span style="">was <span style="">startled <span style="">and <span style="">was <span style="">about <span style="">to <span style="">wather <span style="">ewi <span style="">ne <span style="">to <span style="">find <span style="">Tabelle <span style="">when <span style="">he <span style="">received <span style="">another
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<span style="">11:03 <span style="">Tue<span style="">, <span style="">4 <span style="">Jun?<span style="">?
<span style="">Chapter <span style="">56 <span style="">Mr <span style="">Harris <span style="">Slept <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">Sofa
<strong>message </strong><span style="">from <span style="">her<span style="">: <span style="">‘<span style="">No <span style="">need<span style="">. <span style="">I <span style="">have <span style="">backup<span style="">”
<span style="">To <span style="">the <span style="">Hurricane <span style="">Mercenary <span style="">Corps<span style="">, <span style="">White <span style="">Owl <span style="">and <span style="">the <span style="">others <span style="">were <span style="">not <span style="">a <span style="">threat<span style="">. <span style="">The <span style="">one <span style="">they <span style="">wanted <span style="">to <span style="">eliminate <span style="">was <span style="">Isabelle<span style="">, <span style="">who <strong>had </strong><span style="">a <span style="">high <span style="">chance <span style="">of <strong>helping </strong><span style="">the <span style="">ckwater <span style="">Mercenary <span style="">Corps <span style="">regain <span style="">their <span style="">former <span style="">glory<span style="">. <span style="">Therefore<span style="">, <span style="">Isabelle <span style="">was <span style="">not <span style="">concerned <span style="">about <span style="">White <span style="">Owl <span style="">and <span style="">the <span style="">others<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">. <span style="">I’m <span style="">turning <span style="">off <span style="">the <span style="">lights<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">didn’t <span style="">nce <span style="">at <span style="">George<span style="">, <span style="">but <span style="">she <span style="">responded<span style="">.
<span style="">With <span style="">a <span style="">“<span style="">click<span style="">.” <span style="">the <span style="">room <span style="">was <span style="">enveloped <span style="">in <span style="">darkness<span style="">,
<span style="">George <span style=""y <span style="">on <span style="">the <strong>sofa</strong><strong>, </strong><span style="">a <span style="">thin <span style="">nket <span style="">covering <span style="">his <span style="">waist <span style="">and <span style="">abdomen<span style="">. <span style="">He <span style="">stared <span style="">at <span style="">the <span style="">ceiling <span style="">and <span style="">asked<span style="">, <span style="">“<span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <span style="">are <strong>you </strong><span style="">always <span style="">this <span style="">fearless<span style="">? <span style="">You’re <span style="">travelling <span style="">alone <span style="">to <span style="">Melfrey<span style="">. <span style="">Aren’t <span style="">your <span style="">family <span style="">worried<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">Tm <span style="">just <span style="">here <span style="">for <span style="">a <span style="">vacation<span style="">, <span style="">but <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris <span style="">is <span style="">here <span style="">for <span style="">business<span style="">. <span style="">It <span style="">should <span style="">be <span style="">more <span style="">dangerous <span style="">for <span style="">you <span style="">than <span style="">for <span style="">an <span style="">ordinary <span style="">person <span style="">like <span style="">me<span style="">. <span style="">Is <span style="">your <span style="">family <span style="">worried<span style="">, <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">It’s <span style="">not <span style="">easy <span style="">to <span style="">extract <span style="">information <span style="">from <span style="">her<span style="">.
<span style="">George <span style="">took <span style="">a <span style="">cue <span style="">from <span style="">her <span style="">and <span style="">replied <span style="">vaguely<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">The <span style="">business <span style="">world <span style="">is <span style="">like <span style="">a <span style="">battlefield<span style="">. <span style="">Danger <span style="">lurks <span style="">everywhere<span style="">.
<span style="">“<span style="">I’m <span style="">a <span style="">light <span style="">sleeper<span style="">, <span style="">Mr. <span style="">Harris<span style="">. <span style="">Do <span style="">you <span style="">snore<span style="">?<span style="">”
<span style="">The <span style="">topic <span style="">changed <span style="">abruptly<span style="">, <span style="">leaving <span style="">George <span style="">at <span style="">a <span style="">loss<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">No<span style="">, <span style="">I <span style="">don’t <span style="">grind <span style="">my <span style="">teeth<span style="">, <span style="">talk <span style="">in <span style="">my <span style="">sleep<span style="">, <span style="">or <span style="">sleepwalk<span style="">. <span style="">Miss <span style="">Jenkins<span style="">, <span style="">you <span style="">can <span style="">sleep <span style="">peacefully<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">“<span style="">Really<span style="">? <span style="">I <span style="">can’t <span style="">make <span style="">the <span style="">same <span style="">guarantee<span style="">. <span style="">If <span style="">I <span style="">disturb <span style="">you<span style="">, <span style="">please don’t <span style="">me <span style="">me<span style="">.<span style="">” <span style="">It <span style="">was <span style="">clear <span style="">that <span style="">she <span style="">was <span style="">dissatisfied <span style="">with <span style="">George’s <span style="">attempt <span style="">to <span style="">pry <span style="">information <span style="">from <span style="">her<span style="">.
<span style="">George <span style="">chuckled <span style="">silently<span style="">. <span style="">“<span style="">It’s <span style="">fine<span style="">.<span style="">”
<span style="">After <span style="">that<span style="">, <span style="">the <span style="">room <span style="">fell <span style="">into <span style="">silence<span style="">.
<span style="">Isabelle<span style="">, <span style="">a <span style="">former <strong>assassin</strong><span style="">, <span style="">was <span style="">always <span style="">a <span style="">loner<span style="">. <span style="">She <span style="">wouldn’t <span style="">feel <span style="">safe <span style="">even <span style="">if <span style="">there <strong>was </strong><span style="">a <span style="">cat <span style="">next <span style="">to <span style="">her <span style="">when <span style="">she <span style="">was <span style="">sleeping<span style="">, <span style="">let <span style="">alone <span style="">a <span style="">person<span style="">.
<span style="">Only <span style="">corpses <span style="">posed <span style="">no <span style="">threat<span style="">.
<span style="">Especially <span style="">when <span style="">the <span style="">person <span style="">sleeping <span style="">beside <span style="">her <span style="">this <span style="">time <span style="">was <span style="">the <span style="">legendary <span style="">George <span style="">Harris<span style="">.
<span style="">ldn’t <span style="">be <span style=""pletely <span style="">calm<span style="">.
<span style="">Isabelle <span style="">tossed <span style="">and <span style="">turned<span style="">, <span style="">listening <span style="">attentively<span style="">. <span style="">There <span style="">was <span style="">no <span style="">movement <span style="">from <span style="">the <span style="">sofa<span style="">, <span style="">only <span style="">the <span style="">faint <span style="">sound <span style="">of <span style="">breathing-
<span style="">In <span style="">the <span style="">middle <span style="">of <span style="">the <span style="">night<span style="">.
<span style="">Soft <span style="">footsteps <strong>brushed </strong><span style="">past <span style="">the <strong>sofa</strong><span style="">.
<span style="">A <span style="">figure <span style="">slipped <span style="">out <span style="">of <span style="">the <span style="">bedroom<span style="">, <span style="">and <span style="">then <span style="">the <span style="">door <span style="">was <span style="">gently <span style="">closed<span style="">.
<span style="">The <span style="">man <span style="">on <span style="">the <span style="">sofa <span style="">silently <span style="">opened <span style="">his <span style="">eyes<span style="">.
<span style="">4/5
<span style="">Resurrecting <span style="">the <span style="">Genius <span style="">Within