Chapter 99

Chapter 99

The Crimson Brotherhood, Luminous City Branch.

Liam bowed slightly, his voice rapid as he reported, "Mr. Stuart, we've completely cleared all thirteen of Fiery Cross's strongholds in Luminous City."

"Jacques's twenty-three core lieutenants have all been dealt with according to protocol. The remaining small fries either pledged allegiance or have been driven out of Luminous City. Not a single one slipped through the net."

"The three arms smuggling channels he controlled, plus the two dock warehouses along the Seine, we've taken over everything. All the managers have been replaced with our own people."

"As for the Luminous City police, I've greased the right palms as usual. The estate incident won't trace back to us."

Liam finished his report in one breath, head bowed as he waited for Damien's instructions.

After five years of war with Fiery Cross, they'd finally pulled out this thorn in their side completely. In Luminous City's underworld, no one would dare challenge The Crimson Brotherhood again.

This was all thanks to Damien's capabilities!

He waited for what felt like ages, but received no response.

Liam couldn't help but steal a glance upward, only to see Damien leaning back on the sofa, clearly lost in thought.

This was extremely rare.

What was going on today?

Liam's mind raced with questions, but he didn't dare interrupt.

After another long moment, Damien finally spoke.

"Has she left?"

Liam froze, his brain failing to process the question immediately.

Left? Who left? Fiery Cross's remnants? Someone from the police?

He opened his mouth, utterly confused. "Mr. Stuart, who do you mean...?"

Damien glanced up at him, his smoke-blue eyes devoid of warmth.

Just one fleeting look, and cold sweat instantly broke out on Liam's back, his scalp tingling.

In a flash of realization, he understood who Damien meant by she.

Who else but Beatrice!

He wanted to slap himself.

"I... I don't know. We haven't followed up on Ms. Sinclair's situation yet. Mr. Stuart, should I go find out immediately?"

Damien said nothing, merely watching him coldly.

Liam instantly shut his mouth, not daring to ask another word.

He fled the study as if escaping.

Outside the door, Liam finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief, raising his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

He didn't dare delay. Immediately pulling out his phone, he called one of his subordinates, rattling off instructions at lightning speed—find out everything about Beatrice's party's movements, every last detail.

Less than three minutes later, the phone rang back. His subordinate reported everything they'd discovered.

Liam hung up and immediately returned to the study, bowing once more. "Mr. Stuart, we've got the information!"

"Ms. Sinclair's party hasn't left yet. They're still at the downtown hotel arranged by the competition organizers, though they've moved from the original scenic suite to the presidential suite on the top floor."

He paused, then added, "Also, we found out that John had already booked return flights, hoping to persuade Ms. Sinclair to leave immediately. But Ms. Sinclair refused."

"She said she's staying to compete in the international design competition finals in two days. She won't withdraw."

Hearing this, Damien's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of barely perceptible surprise crossing his smoke-blue eyes.

He'd assumed that after yesterday's brush with death, this woman—no matter how brave—would immediately return home to safety.

He never expected she'd dare remain in Luminous City, much less continue competing.

Just as he'd suspected. She looked soft and delicate, but deep down she was more stubborn than anyone—like a white rose that refused to bend even in the wind.

"What's the hotel's security like?" Damien's fingertips tapped lightly on the sofa armrest.

"That hotel is an established luxury establishment in Luminous City. Security isn't bad, but it's a public venue in the city center with high foot traffic. Can't guard against someone determined." Liam quickly replied.

"Jacques may be dead, but Fiery Cross still has scattered remnants wandering Luminous City. Can't rule out someone holding a grudge and going after Ms. Sinclair."

Damien's frown deepened. After several seconds of silence, he issued his orders, "Deploy two elite teams. Twenty-four-hour watch around the hotel perimeter."

"Set up surveillance inside and out. Don't let any suspicious individuals near them, and absolutely no repeat of yesterday's incident."

He paused, then added, "Keep it discreet. Don't let her notice, and don't interfere with her competition preparation."

At these words, Liam froze in place, eyes widening as if he'd heard something utterly unbelievable.

In all his years serving Damien, he'd never seen him this concerned about any woman.

Forget assigning round-the-clock protection—even proactively asking about a woman's whereabouts was a first.

Never mind a chance encounter. Even the daughters of families allied with The Crimson Brotherhood didn't warrant a second glance from Damien, who found them tedious. Yet now, for Beatrice—someone he'd only met twice—he was going this far?

Liam stood frozen, unable to respond for several beats.

"Well?" Damien looked up at him. "Can't you hear me?"

Liam shuddered, snapping back to attention. "Yes! I heard you! I'll arrange it immediately! I guarantee nothing will go wrong. We'll absolutely protect Ms. Sinclair's safety without disturbing her!"

With that, he didn't dare linger another second, quickly turning to leave the study and arrange the personnel.

Outside the main building, Liam finally released a long breath, patting his racing heart.

He understood now. Beatrice was different to Damien. From now on, anything involving her required his absolute attention—not a single slip-up could be tolerated.

He immediately assembled two elite squads—twelve men total, all veterans who'd fought alongside The Crimson Brotherhood for years. Every one of them was skilled, with deadly accurate aim.

"You six, guard the hotel's main entrance and underground garage. The other six, split into three shifts—twenty-four-hour watch on the top floor corridor and hotel perimeter. Keep eyes on everyone entering or leaving the presidential suite floor." Liam's face was stern as he gave orders.

"Priority is protecting Ms. Sinclair's safety. Anyone foolish enough to approach gets detained first, then reported to me."

"Remember—covert operation. Absolutely cannot let Ms. Sinclair's party detect our presence, and definitely can't interfere with her normal life or competition prep. Understood?"

The subordinates chorused their acknowledgment, but one young man who'd served under Liam for years wore a look of utter confusion. He couldn't help but lean in, lowering his voice, "Liam, this... this doesn't add up!"

"Since when does The Crimson Brotherhood worry about outsiders? Especially some fashion designer from back home? Mr. Stuart's having this many of us provide round-the-clock protection?"

He scratched his head, face full of gossip-hungry curiosity. "Liam, Mr. Stuart protecting this Ms. Sinclair like this—does he... have feelings for her?"