Chapter 553
“Are you even serious?” Dominick snapped at her, his voice rising in disbelief. “Your face is already exposed, and you want to assist my Beta? Don’t infuriate me, and do what I’ve ordered. Kavin will make an arrangement to send you to the capital immediately.” He briefly glanced at Kavin, who stepped up and bowed in acknowledgment.
“They will come for me,” Jeniva insisted, holding his gaze steadily.
“What do you mean?” Dominick frowned, the certainty in her voice catching his attention.
“I’ve signed a contract with them. Your Highness, if I simply leave now, things will get complicated for you. They will become more alert and suspicious of your investigation here in Gridlock. Now that you’re personally here, they already might be planning to clear their names and cover their tracks, so that you won’t ever catch them,” she explained, implying her disappearance would trigger a major cover-up.
“Why are you so adamant about helping me? First, you ended your cover by taking the attack and jumping into the pool. Now, you want to enter the lion’s den willingly. Are you an idiot, or are you pretending to be one?” Dominick questioned, his brows furrowing sharply, trying to understand her true motives and assessing the risk she represented.
“I reconsidered our conversation from last night. I acknowledge that I created a significant vulnerability by dropping my cover. That is why I have decided to allow them to take me to the estate of the Alpha I was sold to. Once I am inside, you can easily identify the principal figure behind this operation and make a direct arrest. That individual, under pressure, will then undoubtedly yield the remaining names. How does that sound as a tactical plan?” Jeniva suggested, her eyes glinting.
Dominick did not outright reject the premise, but neither did he embrace it. The maneuver carried an unacceptable level of risk. Should anything go wrong, Jeniva would almost certainly forfeit her life. And with his personal presence currently in Gridlock, Dominick was absolutely unwilling to allow such a mishap.
Jeniva watched the prince, wondering what was rendering him so suddenly silent and contemplative.
“I actually don’t believe Miss Jeniva’s proposal is without merit, Your Highness,” Kavin offered his advise.
Jeniva flashed a quick, grateful smile toward Kavin. “Your Highness, I will proceed to my house then. I will ensure my phone’s GPS remains active and shared with you. I will transmit my exact location the moment I realize something is amiss. You can then initiate an immediate pursuit. What is your assessment of that modification?” she put forward, seeking a definitive agreement.
“Did you purchase a phone?” Dominick asked.
“Yes, on the way here,” Jeniva replied.
“How? You didn’t have any money for a purchase like that,” Dominick observed pointedly.
“The shop owner is also an undercover agent,” Jeniva disclosed simply.
“I see.” He shifted his gaze to Kavin. “Give her your private number. She will contact you the moment anything unusual occurs, and you will inform me immediately p>
Kavin nodded once and swiftly exchanged contact information with Jeniva.
“Now, you are dismissed,” Dominick stated.
“Won’t you invite me to join you for breakfast? I’m quite hungry,” Jeniva countered, raising an eyebrow.
“I will not be inviting you to breakfast,” Dominick said straightforwardly, making no effort to soften the refusal before he rose abruptly to his feet and quickly departed from her sight.
“Please, follow me this way, Miss Jeniva,” Kavin said humbly. She nodded and stood up before following him out.
Sage was happily signing documents at his executive desk when Aiden announced Katelyn’s arrival.
“Is she already in the outer office?” Sage asked, setting his pen down with sudden haste.
“Yes, Sir,” Aiden confirmed.
Before Sage could even move to greet Katelyn himself, his nostrils were instantly struck by her distinct scent. His eyes abruptly shifted color as his inner wolf roared with joy. The office door opened moments later, and Katelyn walked in, her face brightened by her usual delightful smile.
Aiden offered Katelyn a brief wave, which she warmly returned.
“I will take my leave now,” he murmured respectfully to Sage and quietly exited the office, closing the door behind him.
Sage swiftly moved to her side and wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I told you explicitly to inform me the moment you boarded the flight from San Ravendale. I would have met you at the airport myself p>
“I decided I wanted to surprise you,” Katelyn murmured, holding him just as tightly.
They eventually pulled back from the embrace, taking a moment to look at each other.
“You should head straight home and rest. You can officially join the work schedule starting tomorrow,” Sage instructed gently.
“Hmm. Will you manage everything here without me for the rest of the day?” Katelyn asked, tilting her head playfully.
“Of course! Things have been manageable lately; I only have a few important projects requiring review, nothing demanding your immediate attention,” Sage assured her.
“Alright then p>
Katelyn started to take a step back, but Sage was quicker; he gently grasped her wrist and pulled her immediately back against him.
She inhaled his cool, minty breath just before their lips met in a soft, tender kiss. Katelyn quickly placed her palms against his chest, halting any deeper escalation. “Focus on your work, Director,” she whispered, her eyes shining with a playful glint.
“You are such a cruel tease, Kate. You deprive me so easily,” Sage murmured huskily. “But I just love you,” he added, inhaling her scent as he rested his chin on her shoulder, pulling her into a prolonged, possessive hug once more.
“Tonight… I’ll wait for you,” Katelyn promised. She stepped away first this time, deliberately avoiding his gaze. She moved quickly toward the door and hurried out of the office, eager to prevent Sage from detaining her or pressing her with any more questions.
“What exactly is she planning for tonight?” Sage murmured to the quiet room, his heart already hammering in his chest as he contemplated the exciting possibilities.