Chapter 243 The Apprentice Protocol

Chapter 243 The Apprentice Protocol
The group eventually piled into their cars and made their way to the quiet park near the river. The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the grass. Saint led them to a cluster of benches under a large oak, while Baby dropped onto the nearest one with a heavy sigh. Kora, still clutching her fruit basket like a peace offering, hovered nearby, bouncing slightly on her toes.
​Cam immediately sat as far from her as possible, his arms crossed. Cassian and Wong flanked him protectively. Oliver kept a firm hand on Takeshi’s wrist to stop any more wandering hands. Kai settled with Rode half on his lap, while the rest of the group formed a loose circle.
​Saint remained standing, one hand resting on Baby’s shoulder.
​“Alright,” he began, his voice steady. “I know this looks insane. Keeping Kora at the house wasn’t a decision we made lightly.”
​Cam snorted. “Understatement of the year.”
​Saint ignored the interruption. “We’re keeping her for two reasons. First—to keep her safe. From what she’s told us and what we’ve seen, her mother has been manipulating her for years. Pushing her, controlling her, using her. Leaving her out there means Georgia gets her claws back in. Second… if Georgia believes I’ve finally agreed to marry her daughter, she might back off for a while. It buys us time. Time to move against her without her watching our every step.”
​Kora nodded vigorously, smiling a little too brightly. “Exactly! I’m like… a double agent. But cuter.” She held up an apple from the basket. “Want one, bestie?” she asked Baby, batting her lashes.
​Baby pinched the bridge of his nose. “For the last time—stop calling me that.”
​“Okay, almost-bestie,” she corrected cheerfully, still holding out the apple.
​Takeshi muttered, “She’s exhausting.”
​Oliver gave a short nod of agreement. Cassian and Wong exchanged skeptical looks. Cam’s expression remained pure suspicion.
​“You really expect us to buy this?” Cam asked, leaning forward. “She’s been a problem for years. Suddenly she’s reformed and living under your roof? Sounds like another one of Georgia’s plays.”
​Wong spoke up quietly. “It’s risky. If she’s still under her mother’s influence…”
​“I don’t trust it either,” Oliver added. “Too convenient.”
​Kai stayed silent, but his arm tightened slightly around Rode.
​Rode, who had been watching Kora carefully, finally spoke. His voice was calm but firm.
​“I don’t doubt her.”
​Everyone turned toward him.
​Rode shrugged, his eyes distant for a moment. “I know what a parent can be like. The way they get inside your head. The way they make you do things you hate and still call it love. Sometimes the only way out is to run and hope someone lets you stay long enough to breathe. I’m not saying she’s pure or that we should trust her completely… but I believe the part about wanting to get away. That fear feels real.”
​Kora’s playful expression softened. She looked at Rode with something almost like gratitude, then quickly masked it by offering him a piece of fruit instead.
​“See?” she said lightly, trying to regain her teasing energy. “Rode gets it. The rest of you are just mean. Especially Cam. He’s still mad I called him out for sharing.” She winked at him again.
​Cam’s eye twitched. “I swear—”
​“Enough,” Saint cut in. “We’re not trusting her blindly. She’s watched. She stays in the guest room. She doesn’t leave the house without one of us. And the second she steps out of line, she’s gone. Clear?”
​Kora raised both hands in surrender, still smiling that annoyingly bright smile. “Crystal clear, Captain. I’ll be the best-behaved almost-best-friend you’ve ever had.”
​Baby groaned and dropped his head against Saint’s side. “This is going to be a long week.”
​Saint squeezed his shoulder, looking around at the reluctant faces of their friends. The plan was far from perfect, but for now, it was the one they had.
​"You think she's lying?" Oliver asked Takeshi as they decided to take a walk away from the guys.
​Takeshi shrugged, glancing around the park.
​Oliver chuckled. "That's not a yes or a no. I need to know what you think," he said.
​Takeshi gasped and suddenly stopped walking, turning to Oliver with shining eyes.
​"What?" Oliver asked almost reluctantly; nothing good comes from Takeshi getting that excited.
​Takeshi smiled and stepped close so only Oliver would hear him. He placed his chin on Oliver's shoulder and whispered.
​"Behind that tree... it's lonely, shaded. I'll be quiet... I promise." He placed a lingering kiss on the side of Oliver's neck and blinked up at him.
​Oliver smiled, gesturing for him to come closer so he could whisper back in his ear.
​Takeshi leaned in, biting his lip in anticipation.
​"You're crazy," Oliver smirked, gently shoving Takeshi out of the way and walking ahead.
​Takeshi stood there with a disappointed frown and a wounded ego.
​"Oh, Oliver... you'll pay for this," he murmured and followed Oliver.
​"And I told you, I'm not lying. How many times do I have to repeat myself?" Kora's voice rang out as Oliver and Takeshi approached the table their friends were occupying.
​"For as long as you live, Kora. You might buy them over, but not me," Cam insisted.
​Kora rolled her eyes at Cam. "Whatever, red," she mumbled.
​"How dare you call me that?" Cam glared at her.
​"But Cassian called you red—"
​"You're not him... not even the same gender, so—"
​"Can you guys stop... you're disturbing the nature," Baby deadpanned.
​Kora immediately turned away from Cam, smiling at Baby. "Sorry, bestie—"
​"Cousin... is that our aunt?" Kai asked slowly from the corner, letting Rode pluck the cigarette from his lips.
​Oliver frowned hard, turning in the direction Kai was pointing.
​Oliver turned toward the entrance, and indeed, Sloane was walking into the park, looking so out of place in a tailored white suit and high heels.
​Her expensive shades caught the sun, making people turn and stare.
​"Not here for me. Either she's here for little Einstein or her golden boys. Black sheep don't count." He looked away from her, lacing an arm around Takeshi.
​"Did we leave practice too early?" Saint whispered.
​Baby shook his head. "Chill, babes. I don't think she's here for us," Baby replied.
​"Do you want me to scare her away?" Kora asked Baby.
​Baby scoffed. "You can't."
​Anticipation grew amongst them as the beautiful, cold lady walked toward them.
​Sloane approached calmly, stopping a few feet from them.
​"Nice practice, Saint, Baby..." she said, pulling off her shades.
​"Thank you," Saint replied, feeling relieved.
​"THC is looking forward to the game next week. Everyone's counting on you two," she stated.
​"Um, we know that, Sloane..." Baby cleared his throat, ignoring Saint, who was secretly tapping his back to stop him from talking further.
​"What we do not know, and are dying to know, is what you're doing here," Baby asked calmly, narrowing his eyes at Sloane.
​Sloane didn't flinch at the question. Rather, her eyes slowly took in the group, taking in the two jewelry members.
​"I see you have new collections," she looked from Kora to Takeshi.
​"Um, excuse you, lady. The name is Takeshi, but my boyfriend calls me Take. And, you're welcome," Takeshi corrected.
​"What he said," Kora added.
​"You're Takeshi, too?" Sloane asked with a straight face.
​Cam scoffed with laughter. "Ignore her, she's just dumb."
​"You're dumb," Kora mouthed to Cam.
​"May I speak with your boyfriend, Take?" Sloane asked.
​Kai smirked. "Looks like the sheep is important after all."
​Oliver furrowed his brows and glanced at Sloane. "If you're here to remind me how finishing school would have added to my prestige and honor, I'm going to give you the same answer... I'm perfectly fine without the useless degree... you drive one of my cars," he stated quietly.
​"His garage is quite cool. We even—"
​"Take," Oliver called in a warning tone.
​Takeshi bit his lip and giggled, wrapping his arm around Oliver's.
​Sloane looked unpleased as she slid one hand into her pocket.
​"Speaking of cars, mine's got an issue," she said.
​Oliver shrugged. "You know the drill, aunt. Call the company, they'll bring it over, and we'll fix it," Oliver answered.
​Sloane shook her head gently. "Not a big issue... something someone can simply come over to my place and fix... your apprentice?" She cleared her throat, her eyes darting around the park.
​Oliver paused, then, very slowly, he turned to Baby, both of them sharing a knowing look.
​"What? Tell me," Saint murmured, but Baby only chuckled.
​"My apprentice? Which one? I've got tons..." Oliver asked, his voice teasing slightly.
​"Jae," Sloane answered smoothly.
​"Jae?" Wong spoke up. "As in... Jae?" He narrowed his eyes.
​"Did I stutter, Wong?" Sloane questioned.
​Wong frowned. "No. I'm just curious, why do you need it to be her?" he asked.
​"My place, in less than an hour. I need to use the car ASAP," Sloane said to Oliver and turned away, completely ignoring Wong.
​Oliver watched Sloane leave, then he turned to Baby and smirked.
​"It worked," he chuckled.
​"It worked," Baby threw his head back and gasped dramatically. "It worked... Sloane wants some," he laughed.
​"What worked?" Kora asked in confusion.
​"Yeah, what worked?" Cam looked from Baby to Oliver.
​Wong was left to wonder exactly what his sister had gotten herself into with Sloane.
​Sloane only interacted with people based on their value. What value had she spotted in his sister?