Chapter 55 Assessing eyes
Taking out her mobile phone, Heidi dialed Max’s father and informed him that they could proceed with bringing the Smith girl over.
The response on the other end was immediate excitement.
They showered her with praises so much that Heidi almost felt embarrassed.
Then they made another request.
…
At the Smith’s home.
“I think something is wrong with Olivia.”
It was Laura, Olivia’s mother who voiced the concern.
She and her husband lay side by side on their bed, preparations already complete to send their daughter under Max’s protection the following day.
They had received the call from Max’s parents earlier and had informed Emma that she would be leaving the next morning.
To them, every additional day their daughter spent in the same city as those criminals felt like torture.
What unsettled them was Emma’s reaction.
There was no resistance.
Instead, eagerness.
She looked like she couldn’t wait to leave.
The calmness in her eyes was unfamiliar, nothing like before.
They were relieved… yet uneasy.
In the past few days, Emma had hardly left the mansion.
She didn’t order the maids around.
She didn’t train her body like Olivia used to.
She didn’t request massages.
She was quiet and obedient.
The night before, she had even attempted to clear the dining table after dinner.
It startled them.
The look in her eyes had been strange, as though she was about to do something deeply familiar.
When her parents questioned her, she apologized immediately and lowered her head.
That was when Laura became truly uneasy.
Smith had noticed the changes as well, but remained calm.
“They aren’t bad changes,” he reasoned. “Maybe she’s trying to adjust her attitude before going to Max’s place.”
Laura nodded, though the unease never left her chest.
…
Meanwhile.
Emma was bored.
She couldn’t leave the mansion as it is the only place she felt safe.
She didn’t dare act like Olivia outside. She would fail instantly.
And if she were attacked?
She wouldn’t survive.
The thought alone made her palms sweat.
Tomorrow was the day.
She would be under the same roof as Max.
It thrilled her being so close to her target, but anxiety gnawed at her heart.
The maids had already packed her belongings. Her parents even suggested ordering new clothes.
Emma refused.
Almost everything in Olivia’s closet was still new.
She didn’t sleep that night.
She didn’t know what to ask Honey anymore.
When she tried to access information about Alicia, Honey refused her.
Alicia is part of the mission, Honey had stated.
Max is the love target. Alicia falls under the “life problems variables.” You’ll handle her yourself.
Time moved too fast.
Morning came before Emma could calm her racing heart.
She bathed, changed, and stepped out just as Via the ai called her name, relaying Laura’s message.
Emma braided her hair and secured it neatly before heading downstairs for breakfast.
When she entered the dining room, her gaze landed on a familiar woman.
The same sexy woman from the charity event.
The one who had been with Max.
Heidi smiled when she saw Emma, her eyes openly sweeping over her figure.
Emma hadn’t found anything modest in Olivia’s wardrobe.
She wore a pink off-shoulder crop top with a Barbie print, revealing her flat stomach, paired with high-waisted white leather trousers that still left too much skin exposed.
Heidi thought, ‘Whatever punishment Max gives me later, it’ll be worth it.’
‘The Smith girl is far too interesting.’
Emma smiled back and moved toward Olivia’s father, who stood up and pulled a chair out for her.
“Good morning, baby,” Laura said.
“Good morning,” Emma replied softly.
They ate quietly, planning to talk afterward.
Heidi didn’t touch the food.
“You aren’t eating?” Emma asked.
“I’ll take mine with me,” Heidi replied. “It’s too early, and I still have things to do. Eating now wouldn’t help.”
Laura smiled. “We’re only eating early because she’s here to pick you up. We wanted breakfast together before you leave.”
Emma nodded in understanding.
When the maids brought cookies, Heidi accepted them instead.
Emma felt Heidi’s gaze on her. A constant, assessing and couldn’t understand why.
After breakfast, introductions were made.
When Laura mentioned that their daughter was skilled in hacking and technology, Heidi’s excitement was unmistakable.
Emma silently prayed that Olivia’s abilities would somehow surface when needed.
When it was time to leave, Emma was enveloped in Olivia’s parents’ embrace. It was warm and sweet.
They whispered apologies, promises, reassurances.
That she would get her life back.
That everything would be fine and safe by the time she returned home.
Emma nodded, thanked them, and got into Heidi’s car.
They waved goodbye.
Unbeknownst to them, Harry had already made his move.
To him, Heidi was merely a new friend Emma had made.
And since he had been tipped off that Olivia’s belongings had been packed the night before, it was obvious she was leaving for somewhere today.
It wouldn't be the first time Olivia was sent on a short vacation to a private destination to give her some peace from press and constant attempts on her life and image.
A new batch of assassins had been dispatched by Harry Smith.
Their target: Emma, who will have a first hand experience of her first assassination attempt since she swap lives with Olivia Smith.