Hayden stared in disbelief at the phone that had just been hung up on him. Pa White had actually hung up on him! This was not normal. Tina also felt surprised; she had a vivid memory of what Pa White was like before. This time, she had actedpletely out of character. Hayden let out a deep sigh and then went to the western district with Jared and Tina.


    Inside the viplex, Pa White was waiting at the door. Seeing Tina approaching, she greeted her warmly, “Serena, long time no see.”


    “Long time no see,” Tina greeted back.


    Pa White opened the door. “Come in, it’s just me at home.”


    Tina and Jared walked in side by side, with Courtney following closely behind. Just as Hayden was about to follow them inside, Pa White suddenly closed the door and said sternly, “Didn’t you hear me? I’m home alone, do you really think you can just barge into ady’s room?”


    Hayden was nearly speechless, pointing incredulously at Jared, “What about him then!”


    “He’s Serena’s fiance, practically a brother-inw, of course he can enter,” Pa White said matter-of-factly, raising an eyebrow at Hayden, “And you are?”


    With a bang, the door closed.


    Hayden was left alone, disheveled in the wind…


    Pa White’s home was not like that of a typical girl; it was rather quaint with mahogany furniture everywhere, and in the center of the living room stood a tea table.


    The only out-of-ce item was a Husky figurine on the tea table.


    Tina sat down, not bothering with why Hayden was not allowed inside, and got straight to the point, “Miss White, we came today because we need your help with something.”


    Pa White skillfully poured tea for everyone and asked, “What is it?”


    Jared took out a model of a new type of bomb, “Can you analyze the principle and structure of this bomb and develop a detector that can detect it? Are you interested?”


    Pa White’s eyes lit up.


    As a top-level weapons enthusiast and expert, she was naturally interested.


    “Is this the new type of bomb that’s hard toe by in the ck market?” Pa White asked.


    Tina nodded, “Yes.”


    She looked at Pa White and added, “You know about it?”


    Pa White took the model of the new bomb and examined it carefully, “Of course, I know. This device, it stole my idea.”


    “Your idea?” Tina was momentarily stunned.


    Pa White nodded and took out an unfinished paper, “This was my idea three years ago. Once, myputer was hacked, and I found this paper had been copied, so I knew someone would giarize my idea.”


    Tina briefly scanned the paper; indeed, the content on it coincided with some features of the new bomb.


    “How did you find out about this thing?” Tina asked calmly.


    Pa White smiled, “I have my ways. Let’s talk business, Serena, I agree to coborate with you on this, but I have one condition, a necessary one. As long as you agree, I will research it for you free of charge.”


    Tina’s interest piqued, “Does it have to do with Hayden?”


    Pa White didn’t deny it, “Yes, him.”


    Tina smiled coyly, “I agree.”


    Pa White was taken aback, “I haven’t even said-”


    Before she could finish, Tina interrupted her, “It doesn’t matter!”


    Outside the door, Hayden thought: Serena, are you really selling me out like this?


    Pa White alsoughed, stated her condition, and then discussed the coboration with Tina and Jared.


    After sitting in Pa White’s home for about ten minutes, the coboration was settled, and the new bomb was left with Pa White. Hayden had been sitting in the car, feeling uneasy about everything. He couldn’t understand Pa White’s attitude toward him that day. Nor could he figure out what had gotten into her. Why was she targeting him all of a sudden? Hadn’t he already said that as long as her old man agreed, he would go and register their marriage? If the old man didn’t agree, why take it out on him?


    While he was pondering this, Tina and two others opened the car door and got in. Hayden quickly turned around, “Serena, did she agree?” Tina nced at him and simply said, “Yeah.” Hayden was stunned; knowing Pa White, she wouldn’t have agreed so easily. “Did she set any harsh conditions? Did she make things difficult for you?” Hayden pursed his lips, a look of resigned determination on his face, “Did she want me tomit myself to her? Serena, you didn’t agree to that, did you!”This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Before Tina could speak, Hayden hurriedly said, “I really didn’t do anything to her. It was just youthful foolishness when I kissed her once on the cheek. I didn’t even know what marrying meant back then. Besides, our family’s old man would never agree. Serena, I really want to work on that bomb, but I can’tmit myself like that!”


    Hayden rambled on. Tina and Jared looked at him as if he were a fool. Courtney didn’t even try to hide her disdain. Confused, Hayden scratched his head and turned to Courtney, “Courtney, what exactly happened?” Courtney looked at Hayden deeply and slowly said, “Miss White did indeed make a condition, and it is the only condition, and yes, it involves you.”


    “I knew it, she wants to marry me? Impossible!” Hayden said earnestly. Courtney rubbed her temples, “Miss White’s requirement is that during the research period, you must not appear in front of her, not even to deliver a document. To put it precisely, you need to disappear from her sight.”


    Hayden almost bit his tongue. “What did you say!” He couldn’t believe it. It was unreasonable! Totally unreasonable! This was so unlike Pa White! Tina and Jared casually nced up. Courtney sighed, “Let’s just drive properly, Mr. Self-centered Husky.”


    Hayden, now even more doubtful about life, left Pa White’s house with Tina driving him and Courtney back to the Reed family, and himself dropping Jared back at the Farrell Residence. He went home alone, continuing to doubt his existence. In the middle of the night, he still couldn’t understand. Had Pa White taken the wrong medication?


    Unable to sleep, Hayden picked up his phone and opened the group chat with his ten brothers. Hayden: “Guys, Pa White wants to cut ties with me.” Dexter: “??” Damian: “Weren’t you always annoyed that she was after you?” Philip: “Youin when she chases you, you’re confused when she doesn’t. What’s your brain made of?” Hayden: “I just feel she’s not acting normal, it shouldn’t be like this. Is it because I told her to talk to the old man? It didn’t hurt her, did it? Our old man doesn’t agree to the marriage, but he still likes her a lot. It shouldn’t have hurt her, so what’s the reason?”


    Tina: “Cheap.” The brothers: “Serena, you’re here!!!” Tina: “Go to sleep, noisy.” *click click click*, the brothers went offline. Hayden was left alone, staring at the silent group chat. Well, with Serena speaking up, he had no one left to talk to.