Chapter 31

As for how to negotiate with them, that was Luca's responsibility.

When the three of us started heading back, we saw the car parked at the entrance.

The leader walked over and said a few words to the driver, and the three of us got in the car.

But Luca glanced at the car and suddenly signaled me to stop.

He walked around to my side, helped Vivian, and went directly to the front row of seats.

He pushed me toward a door in the back.

The extended car in front of me clearly had different compartments.

I looked at him in confusion, overwhelmed by the fear of being separated.

I wanted to ask Luca why he wouldn't let me go with them, but the car door in front of me opened, and a voice came from inside.

"Are you getting in or not? Do you want me to come down and carry you?" It was Virio's voice!

I froze the moment I heard that voice. Looking inside, I indeed saw Virio sitting there.

In contrast, he seemed calm and composed, sitting there with his legs crossed. When he saw me, a slight smile appeared on his face.

So that sentence earlier wasn't an illusion!

I hurriedly got in the car, practically throwing myself into his arms.

Virio held me, patting my back, and I couldn't help wanting to cry. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"How could that be? You promised me you'd handle these things with me and help me get the resource connections. If you couldn't see me so soon, what would happen to our deal?"

Hearing Virio joke with me, I shook my head. "I really thought that..."

"When they were chasing me, and when I was kidnapped and brought here, I thought I'd never see you again."

Virio ruffled my hair and gently kissed my forehead.

I gradually relaxed and asked Virio how he found me.

While we were talking, the car had already started moving.

Seeing the scenery outside the window, I realized we were gradually leaving this base and leaving Floridia.

Virio was still holding me, and he simply pulled me onto his lap and held me in his arms.

Then his deep voice came. "Actually, when you were being chased, Luca had already sent me a message right away, and so did Vivian. I brought those two out, so of course, they knew what to do in this situation."

Hearing his words, I shifted uneasily.

I said carefully, "So I was the only one who didn't know what to do, and I cautiously asked you all for help?"

But Virio laughed softly. "It's because you don't know what to do that I need to be with you."

"If you knew how to handle everything, why would I need to send people to protect you?"

But I still pouted.

I had unknowingly held Virio back. I needed to become stronger.

So I said to Virio, "When we get back, I want to join all kinds of training classes. I want to learn combat, learn how to shoot..."

These were all things Killian never allowed me to touch when I was by his side.

Maybe he was worried I might turn against him, or maybe he was worried about what I'd do to the family after discovering the truth.

In any case, Killian never seemed to allow me access to anything related to force.

I softly told Virio my thoughts, and without any hesitation, he nodded at me. "As long as you want to learn, I can find someone to teach you anytime, but you need to guarantee your own safety first."

I showed I understood. "Of course!"

The car drove along the road, with Virio kissing my cheek from time to time.

My tense nerves suddenly relaxed, and after a while, I suddenly felt sleepy.

Leaning in Virio's arms, I remembered another question. "How did you succeed in the negotiation? This negotiation must have been very difficult, right?"

Virio thought for a moment before saying, "It was indeed difficult, but I could only negotiate with the local family. They controlled all the information channels."

"Since they controlled it, so my visit to Anderson was also them..." My voice got lower and lower. I felt myself getting drowsy.

In Virio's arms, I could barely speak anymore.

Virio kissed my ear. "It's just as you think, but everything's been resolved. Don't worry."

I had never heard Virio speak to me in such a gentle voice.

"We'll be home soon. Get some sleep. When you wake up, we'll be there."

This voice lulled me into a sweet sleep.

When I woke up, I found myself in an unfamiliar bedroom.

The scene before me made my scalp tingle. I thought what I just experienced was a dream and that I actually hadn't been rescued!

I sat up in panic, got out of bed and opened the door, only to see Virio in the hallway outside.

Virio and Luca were talking. He turned to look at me and said coldly, "Why aren't you wearing shoes? Go back and lie down."

I glanced at the hallway and recognized this seemed to be Virio's house.

I stuck out my tongue, nodded, greeted Luca, and went back.

Soon after, Virio pushed the door open. Seeing me lying obediently under the covers, a smile appeared on his face.

"Why did you run out as soon as you got out of bed, without even wearing shoes?" Virio said as he walked toward me.

From his face, I could see nothing but concern.

I didn't respond to that topic. Instead, I asked him what he had just said to Luca.

"Nothing much. He came to ask about you and Vivian's condition. I told him you two are fine now."

Hearing Vivian's name, I immediately sat up again. "Vivian is here too?"

I only knew that Virio had threatened the local family controlling the information with force and brought us back.

But I fell asleep in the car and slept until now.

I didn't even know how I ended up here.

Thinking back, I must have been too exhausted.

When I saw Virio, my heart settled down, and I felt completely at ease, which is why...

Virio sat on the edge of the bed and lay down on my legs. "Yes, she's here too, in the guest room. She can leave once she's rested."

Hearing Virio say this, I bit my lip gently. "So you brought me here, and you're waiting for me to rest up before sending me home?"

But Virio shook his head. "I don't plan to let you go back to the Lacey family."

At these words, I looked down in surprise, meeting his eyes.

Even from this angle, Virio's chiseled face was still handsome.

I stared at him in a daze. Thinking about how he came to rescue me again this time, I suddenly felt a bit guilty. "But if you want me to live here, then I have to communicate with Killian."

"No need." Virio moved slightly, propping up his head with one hand as he looked at me.