Chapter 22
Noel hadn’t expected that she was actually still alive. “My lord, what if you’ve mistaken her for someone else?” Noel thought it was more likely Julian had gotten the wrong person than that the girl had really survived.
Julian said firmly, “There’s no way I’m wrong. Even if she were reduced to ashes, I’d still recognize her.”
Noel got a little excited. “My lord, can I meet her? I didn’t get a good look at her face at the mall today. She might’ve been kind of out–there, but she did save my life. I want to thank her in person.”
Julian replied in a low voice, “She doesn’t remember me, and there’s no way she remembers you. What happened back then wasn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. Don’t bring it up and make her relive something that awful.”
Noel said, “Then I won’t talk to her or anything. Can I just take a look from a distance? I want to see what my savior looks like as an adult.
“If I don’t even know what she looks like, what if I end up crossing her one day without realizing it?”
Julian nodded and told him to come along next time and catch a glimpse from afar.
Just then, an agent messaged Julian: [Six p.m. Target has separated from the group and is walking alone on Ember Street.]
Ever since they left the Federal Police Bureau, Julian had arranged for two trusted agents to follow Olivia around the clock in shifts, just in case something happened to her.
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Even though Julian had ordered a lockdown on anything linking Olivia to him, he still worried that word might leak, and if one of his enemies caught wind of her existence, they might go after her. So, he’d stationed people to protect her in secret.
The agents would check in every hour with an update on Olivia’s whereabouts.
Seeing that she was finally alone, Julian immediately put aside what he was doing, ready to go to her.
Olivia hadn’t expected the luxury boutique manager to actually send her $15 million. Staring at the long string of zeros in the bank alert, she felt like she was dreaming–none of it felt real.
In a great mood, Olivia decided to treat herself for once. She spent a hundred bucks at a roadside shop on a light green maxi dress, then headed to a beauty salon to get soft curls and a full face of makeup.
She’d always liked looking nice, but with massive debt hanging over her, her mind had been filled with nothing but paying it off. Dolling herself up just never made the list.
But today, the windfall had landed in her lap without any effort at all, so Olivia finally allowed herself to spend just a tiny bit on herself.
“Oh my goodness, you look incredible, like a supermodel straight off a magazine cover. The salon owner personally did her makeup and hair, and then spent ten full minutes gushing over her beauty until Olivia felt a little embarrassed.
Olivia quickly paid the bill and stepped out of the store.
At that moment, Julian had just arrived nearby. He glanced around but didn’t see the familiar figure anywhere, so he texted his agent: [Where is she?]
The agent replied: [About 60 feet straight ahead. Green dress, loose curls. That’s her.]
Julian looked up. The moment he saw her, his heart skipped a beat. In the noisy, crowded world, it felt like she was the only one left.
Just then, Noel’s voice broke through beside him, completely missing the mood. “My lord, didn’t you say you’d recognize her even if she were reduced to ashes? She’s right there, and you still had to ask the agent?”
Julian reined in the fire in his eyes and said calmly, “Ashes, yes. Makeup, no.”
In truth, Olivia didn’t look that different with makeup–just more polished, more striking. But she’d changed her outfit and look so suddenly that he’d instinctively been searching for the version he’d seen in the morning, which was why he hadn’t recognized her right away.
Noel was instantly speechless.
Julian was about to walk over, but suddenly paused. He turned to Noel and ordered, “Find me a stylist. I need to look good. She’s got me completely hooked–I’ve gotta turn the tables and make her swoon.”
Noel’s mouth twitched. “Look at you–down bad and pathetic.”
