Gunner stood in the hallway, his usually gentle features now clouded with anger. Deanna and the others noticed and exchanged worried glances before approaching him with concern.
"Master, what happened? Why do you look so upset?" Deanna asked.
"Did Hank come to cause trouble?" Lionel added, reminding the others who all turned to Gunner for answers. Even Lance furrowed his brows.
Gunner looked at their concerned faces but didn't immediately explain. His gaze swept over the shopping bags they held. "Put your things down first and come to my room," he said in a low voice.
Hearing this, Deanna and the others quickly went to their rooms to drop off their items and then gathered in Gunner's room. Gregory and Chloe, sensing the adults had serious matters to discuss, did not follow.
Within minutes, the spacious living room was filled with people. Deanna couldn't hold back her worry any longer. "Master, what exactly happened?" she asked.
Gunner's eyes scanned them before he slowly spoke. "We've caught the attention of Abla's high-ranking officials. For the next few days, Julia and Lance, you shouldn't go out alone. It's best to have bodyguards with you."
"How did we alarm Abla's high-ranking officials?" Julia asked, her eyes wide with fear. Images from movies flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but voice her concern. "Will we be ambushed or kidnapped?"
Deanna, Lance, and Lionel all grew serious at her words. They remained silent, waiting for Gunner to continue. Fortunately, Gunner didn't keep them waiting long and recounted the afternoon's events.
"We're safe during the Chopel awards ceremony. But once it's over, those people might take action. Although I've contacted high-ranking officials in Chiaz, we're in their territory, so we better be cautious. In the meantime, you should find a way to send Gregory, Chloe, and Julia back."
He then shared the plan he had been mulling over all afternoon.
The reason he didn't mention Lance was that he knew Lance would never leave Deanna behind. And indeed, after Gunner finished speaking, Lance had an idea. "I'll contact people back home and spread news that Deanna's grandmother is critically ill. Julia can take the kids back to care for her."
"That's a good plan. Deanna is a key member of this award event and can't leave easily. Asking a friend to go back is a legitimate reason," Gunner agreed.
He then turned to Lance and asked, "How many people can you mobilize here in Abla? Do you have any weapons?"
Lance understood Gunner's intent and replied without hesitation, "I can mobilize around a thousand people. Since there are no weapon restrictions here, everyone is armed."
Gunner pondered for a few seconds before muttering to himself, "A thousand people, plus the guards I've called from home, should give us over two thousand. That should be enough to protect us during our retreat."
His words made Julia turn pale with fear. She clung tightly to Lionel's arm, deeply worried. She wanted to suggest that Lionel leave with her but couldn't bring herself to say it. She wasn't naive; she knew from the conversation that Lionel, like Deanna, was a target for Abla's high-ranking officials. She also knew that even if she asked Lionel to leave, he wouldn't go.
Later, after discussing their plans, Deanna and the others left with heavy hearts. Back in their room, Julia could no longer hold back her emotions. She grabbed Lionel's arm nervously. "You must come back safely. Remember, our baby and I will be waiting for you."
"I know. Don't worry. Mr. Martinez and Lance will make sure everything is handled well. As long as I stay close to them, I'll be safe," Lionel reassured her, holding her close and gently patting her back.
Julia seemed to remember something and suddenly perked up. She pulled away from Lionel's embrace. "Right! How could I forget? I can ask Deanna to arrange two bodyguards for you."
She hurried towards the door to find Deanna. Watching his fiancée leave in such a rush, Lionel wanted to stop her but was too late. He quickly followed after her.
Meanwhile, Deanna was talking to Gregory and Chloe about going back.
"Gregory, Chloe, Mommy just got a call from your grandmother saying your Great-grandma isn't feeling well today. Mommy is worried but can't leave here right now. Can you go back and check on Great-grandma for me?"
"Is Great-grandma's condition getting worse?" The kids immediately showed worried expressions.
Deanna couldn't tell them the truth and nodded instead. "It might be getting worse, but Mommy can't leave here right now. Can you go back with Auntie?"