Chapter 28: What can you do?
Country A had its own distribution of power, with the Lautners enjoying authority in the southern border regions. However, Wind Island was a border island under the highest national-level control. Anyone wearing an electronic bracelet there found it easy to enter but difficult to leave.
The Lautners had always adhered to a rule of neither making friends nor enemies, preferring to stand alone. Saving Paige openly violated these rules, and Kevin had attempted covert means to help her escape, all of which were thwarted.
Paige tossed a bottle of makeup remover into the nearby trash bin and glanced up at him calmly, “I don’t blame you. There’s no need for you to feel guilty.”
Kevin was accustomed to her demeanor, uninterested in most things, never relying on anyone, only on herself. He admired her for that.
Seeing her now with delicate skin, clearly doing well, he couldn’t help but ask curiously, “How did you manage to escape? Won’t the people on Wind Island be devastated when you’re gone? You’ve been their backbone for three years.” Having spent three years on Wind Island, Paige had become the backbone of the slum dwellers. Without her, how would they survive?
Paige’s eyes hardened at Kevin’s words. “There’s nothing there, no resources, just people barely surviving. If it weren’t for my hatred for the Clarkes, I wouldn’t have made it this far.” She shrugged. “Even if I stay, they’ll find ways to end themselves, jump into the sea, slit their wrists…”
Kevin sighed heavily, propping his head on one hand. “True. Only by establishing yourself in this country can you ever hope to help those in the slums.”
The hope of Wind Island rested solely on her.
Paige uncapped a perfume bottle and wrinkled her nose at the scent before casually tossing it aside.
“Enough of that,” Kevin said, concerned that the topic might overwhelm her. He smiled, changing the subject. “Now that you’re out, you’re free. With less scrutiny, I can finally repay you for saving me. I’ll send someone to the capital to fetch you. Anything you want, just name it.”
“I’m afraid that won’t work,” Paige replied calmly, sweeping all the cluttered makeup off the vanity into the trash.
“Why not?”
“I’ve attracted Enrico’s attention.”
Kevin’s face fell, standing abruptly from his chair. “What? How did you get involved with him?”
“He’s the one who got me out of Wind Island,”
Kevin was even more astonished, slowly sitting back down. “So it was him. In Country A, only he could have pulled you out openly like that. Is he helping you?”
“He’s just using me as a substitute,” Paige said, pacing the dressing room. She picked up a macaron from the coffee table and nibbled as she asked, “Your family’s intelligence background… how well do you know Enrico?”
“He’s a rare ruthless character, once-in-a-century,” Kevin said. “His father, Jeremy Gustin, used to be a formidable figure until Enrico effectively pushed him aside at gunpoint. If he treats his own father that way, imagine how he treats others.”
Paige swallowed the macaron.
“There’s also this rumor about the Gustins having some inherited family illness, but with such massive corporations, they wouldn’t let something like that leak out. So, I’m not really sure.”
Kevin asked with concern, “What matters is, are you and Enrico allies or enemies?”
“For now, we’re coexisting peacefully. The future is uncertain.”
Paige couldn’t read Enrico. Hence, she believed the best plan was to find an opportunity to safely leave Rose Estate.
“Well…” Kevin tried to help. “Paige, with your skills, escaping from Enrico shouldn’t be too difficult. Once you’re out and within the Lautners’ influence at the border, I can ensure your temporary safety from Enrico.”
“I haven’t finished settling my scores; I can’t go to the border.”
“Paige, I…” Kevin was feeling guilty again. Despite having a large family, he couldn’t rescue her from danger.
“I’ll handle my own affairs. You’ve repaid your debt today.” Paige clapped her hands and stood up from the couch.
…
Meanwhile, Molly and the others waited anxiously. Nancy stood nearby, praying fervently, “May she not be the savior of the Lautners. Please, please.”
Finally, Paige emerged.
Jaden mingled in the crowd, watching as Paige walked towards them. The embroidered roses on her skirt swayed like delicate blooms in full bloom.
Manager Cole followed closely, bowing throughout.
Seeing this, everyone understood. Paige wasn’t lying about being Mr. Lautner’s savior. This favor was significant.
Paige sat down in front of the six-tiered cake, where the chair originally belonged to the birthday girl, Molly, adorned like a princess throne.
Molly seethed with anger. had smashed her Barbie doll and now occupied her seat-how shameless!NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
Nancy and the others hesitated to intervene. Unable to contain her frustration, Molly spoke up, “That’s my seat.”
Paige sat back, adjusting her high heels, then lifted her eyes to provocatively challenge Molly, “Yes, your seat. I’m sitting here now. What are you going to do about it?”
“You…” Molly fumed, turning to Manager Cole. “Manager Cole, please don’t be deceived by her. She’s not Mr. Lautner’s savior at all.”
Manager Cole stood to the side, glaring coldly at Molly. “Miss Clarke, do you know better than me whether Miss Lautner is Mr. Lautner’s savior?”
“Of course, I do!” Molly exclaimed loudly. No one knew better than her that Paige was adopted by the Clarkes-a worthless person who should have died in the slums!
“Oh?” Paige leaned back in the birthday chair, smiling slyly at Molly. “Then what do you know?”
“I…” Molly couldn’t reveal the truth and hesitated before accusing, “You must have done something sneaky. What about your electronic bracelet? How did you manage to get rid of it? You filthy slum rat, what have you done?”
Paige scoffed coldly, “So this is how Senator Clarke’s daughter behaves.”
Seeing Paige’s displeasure, Manager Cole intervened sharply, “Security, restrain this delusional woman.”
Two security guards immediately moved forward, each grabbing one of Molly’s arms and forcing her down.
Nancy quickly backed away, afraid of being implicated.
Everyone watched in silence, not daring to speak.
Molly panicked, forgetting all grace as she struggled in vain against their grip. She shouted, “Manager Cole, have you lost your mind? Are you really listening to this liar? I’m Senator Clarke’s daughter, I’m your guest!”
“Ridiculous. Would Senator Clarke dare to offend the Lautners while seeking support from various factions?” Manager Cole’s voice turned icy. “Besides, there are surveillance cameras here. Who deceived whom is clear for all to see. Even if this goes to the President’s office, Miss Clarke, you’re clearly in the wrong.”
Molly was rendered speechless by the retort.
Suddenly, there was a loud “bang.”
Nancy rushed forward and knelt on the ground, “Miss Lautner, I was blind and foolish. I’m sorry. It was all because of Molly’s influence. I didn’t mean to question you. I apologize and admit my mistake.”
Nancy’s humble background made her wary of offending the Lautners. She had indeed stirred up a catastrophe this time, getting involved with such a prominent family. Kneeling on the ground, she looked terrified as she gazed at Paige.
Paige lounged lazily, chuckling softly as she looked down at Molly. “Miss Clarke, your friend has already set a great example for you. Follow suit?”
“Keep dreaming! You’re not the Lautners’ savior at all. You think I’d kneel to you? Who do you think you are?” In Molly’s eyes, Paige had always been someone she could trample on. Asking her to kneel before Paige was like demanding she sacrifice every inch of her pride and dignity. She couldn’t do it!