Chapter 378

James was done dealing with Luna.

After leaving the rooftop of the Smith Group building, he headed straight to the hospital.

James knew Armando had been rushed to a nearby hospital.

Upon arrival, he checked in at the emergency room.

The nurse said, "Are you here for the guy with glass in his back? He just took off."

The two nurses were in awe of Armando.

They were still chatting about him.

"The glass bits on his back were packed in tight, some real deep ones, but he didn't flinch a bit when they were cleaning him up."

"The head nurse wanted him to stay for observation, but he was like, 'Why hang around for these minor cuts?' He just slapped on some ointment, wrapped it up, and split. Tough guy."

"I saw his wife, looking devastated, almost in tears. Heard a lamp fell at home, and he got hurt trying to shield her."

"I wish I had a man like him. Real gems like him are rare nowadays. Who else would risk it all for their partner? And he's a looker too."

"I'm envious of his wife too. Have you seen how sweet she looks? They're a perfect match."

As James overheard the nurses gossiping, his expression darkened.

It felt like a weight was crushing his chest, making it hard to breathe.

James left the hospital and dialed Emily.

She answered promptly.

"Where are you?" James's voice was devoid of emotion.

Emily replied, "Just hanging out by the street. Grabbing noodles with Armando. I'll ping you my location, swing by in ten minutes."

Emily swiftly shared her location with James.

It wasn't a noodle joint.

James checked the address and realized it was less than a mile away.

He drove over right away.

In no time, he parked on the side of the road.

It wasn't a fancy spot, just a food truck parked by the curb.

James parked his car across the street.

Though not far, he had a clear view from about fifteen feet away.

In the dim streetlight, the food truck owner was bustling inside.

A few small tables and chairs were set up nearby.

Despite the late hour, business was brisk.

Most customers were university students from the nearby campus.

Nearly every table was taken.

James soon spotted Armando and Emily in the crowd.

The owner served two bowls of spaghetti Bolognese to their table.

Armando dug in, savoring his meal.

Emily wasn't hungry; she had indulged in desserts at the banquet earlier.

She was eating to keep Armando company.

Watching Armando enjoy his food, Emily speared a poached egg from her bowl into his. "I'm good, you have it."

Emily looked remorseful and worried. "You've lost a lot of blood, who knows how long it'll take to bounce back."

Armando glanced up at Emily's concerned expression and rare smile. "I've broken a few bones from my boxing days, and you weren't this fretful. This little cut is nothing."

Emily retorted, "Back then, you were just a kid. Bones heal fast at that age. But now that you're older, you need to take better care of yourself. Can't be reckless like a teenager anymore."

Armando jokingly flicked Emily's forehead. "Hey now, don't age me like that."

They teased each other while slurping noodles.

James observed them, feeling uneasy.

He never meddled in Emily's affairs, but Armando was an exception.

James grasped Armando's motives.

Emily remained clueless.

Even if James spilled the beans, she wouldn't buy it.

There was an unspoken, impenetrable barrier between Emily and Armando, a line James couldn't cross.

This burdened James deeply.

The more Emily defended this divide, the more troubled James became.

James stepped out of the car and approached them.

Emily looked surprised. "Why'd you come so soon?"

James rested a hand on Emily's shoulder.

He gave her a faint smile. "I was at the hospital when I called you, so I came straight here."

Seeing James dusty and worn out, Emily offered, "Hungry? Let me whip up some noodles for you."

James sat beside Emily without hesitation.

She had barely touched her food.

Eyeing Emily's bowl of noodles, James inquired, "I'm actually famished. You still eating?"

Emily replied, "I'm done. I'll ask the owner to fix you a bowl."

James waved it off. "No need. I'll have yours."

He grabbed a fork and dug into Emily's noodles.

Emily warned, "They're cold."

But James was already munching away.

Armando, observing this, furrowed his brow briefly, then resumed eating quietly.

After James had arrived, Armando swiftly finished his meal and settled the bill.

James, utensils in hand, proposed, "Mr. Gomez, need a lift home?"

"No, my driver is on the way."

True to his word, Armando's driver pulled up shortly after.

Armando bid Emily goodbye. "I'm off. See you at the office tomorrow."

Emily nodded. "Armando, need a few days off?"

"No."

Emily couldn't do much about it. "Just remember to change your bandages on time when you're back."

Armando departed.

James leisurely savored his noodles.

The noodles were plain, sans sauce.

Emily brought the bowl over. "Quit eating."

Then she took the bowl to the owner. "Can you add some broth and another serving of Bolognese, please?"

James's voice chimed in from the table. "And another poached egg."

Emily ordered more soup and settled next to James, keeping him company.

After finishing the soup, Emily inquired, "Luna was behind the chandelier, right?"

Initially, Emily hadn't suspected Luna.

But when James skipped the hospital visit and went to Luna's, Emily's thoughts wandered.

James's expression darkened slightly. "She's from Zephyria State, but her family is a mystery. Tough to dig up. Elite families can train top-notch agents who are skilled in plotting."

"She put in a lot of effort. Must've planned this for a while."

Emily wasn't overly shocked by this revelation.

James's gaze turned intense. "It ties back to Marcus, but beyond Marcus, I'm in the dark."