Chapter 149
The assistant balanced his laptop on his knees, fingers flying across the keys as he noticed a tail on their car. Without hesitation, he tapped into the Sentinel Network, efficiently tracing the vehicle’s origin.
Selene inwardly cringed.
Seriously? What’s wrong with you, ex–husband?
Leo’s dark eyes glittered with a trace of amusement, though his lips barely moved.
“Your ex–husband is really keeping tabs on you,” he remarked, as if Harrison were a complete stranger, not his own nephew.
“He’s unbelievable. Totally unhinged.” Selene struggled to keep from badmouthing
Harrison outright in front of Leo.
Leo turned to his assistant. “Let him follow if he wants.”
The sleek black car glided smoothly into Leo’s private estate.
Once their car crossed into the five–mile perimeter of the property, satellites began to track every movement from above. Security outposts were stationed all around, and in the final mile, the checkpoints were so frequent it felt like sentries every few yards.
From her window seat, Selene could spot patrol vehicles passing by at regular
intervals.
Their car entered the underground garage without a hitch.
Before Leo could say a word, Selene’s eyes shone with anticipation.
“Professor, does bringing me here mean you’re inviting me to join the Draco Research Institute?”
She was already picturing herself inside Leo’s grand home, standing before a flag and swearing an oath: Never betray, never reveal secrets.
“No,” Leo cut her off, popping her bubble of hope in a heartbeat.
“But I won first prize!” Selene protested, refusing to back down.
“Winning a mere competition isn’t enough to unlock the doors of Draco.” His words were calm, almost dismissive.
Selene instantly wilted, her spirits deflating like a punctured balloon. She bit her
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upper lip and blew a stray lock of hair off her nose.
In the dim light, Leo watched her closely, genuine curiosity flickering in his gaze. Even he didn’t realize how much gentler his eyes had become when he looked at her.
“You can come over often to read through some files,” he said.
Those last three words–read through some files–made Selene perk up immediately, her disappointment forgotten.
Right now, she wanted nothing more than to throw her arms around Leo’s leg in gratitude.
To her, his library was a treasure trove, a sea of knowledge she could drown in.
The car doors opened. Selene, with Daph in tow, hopped out eagerly.
4
She turned just in time to see the assistant helping Leo, still seated in the luxury car, into his wheelchair.
Her gaze lingered on Leo’s immobile legs, a wave of sadness welling up inside her.
Leo rolled past her, his expression cool and remote.
“Save your pity,” he said flatly.
But Selene didn’t feel her concern was misplaced. She’d seen Leo at his best–charismatic, untouchable, towering above everyone else. It was only natural that seeing such a brilliant mind confined to a wheelchair would break her heart.
“You don’t have to accept my sympathy, but I can’t help the way I feel,” she replied, keeping pace with his chair, unaware of how quiet he’d suddenly become.
“In my mind, you’ve never changed. Every beautiful word in the world could be used to describe you, but none of them are truly worthy,” Selene said softly.
Daph let out an impressed “Wow!” Her gaze toward Leo grew even more admiring.
“Stop buttering me up,” Leo retorted, his tone cold and dismissive.
The special forces assistant pushing Leo couldn’t suppress a low chuckle.
If Leo truly disliked Selene’s words, he wouldn’t have responded at all. The fact that he pushed back only showed he’d heard her loud and clear–especially with the way his ears had turned pink.
Selene followed Leo. into the elevator.
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When the doors slid open, a row of uniformed staff stood at attention, clearly waiting for their arrival.
“Hey!” Altair piped up, uncharacteristically standing with the others. Usually, he avoided crowds like the plague.
The instant he spotted Selene, his almond eyes lit up. He stomped his feet in excitement, then dashed toward her at full speed.
