Chapter 499

“Nina, let’s go. Bowen was asked to stay by the Walton family to discuss some personal matters. Kelvin just messaged me. Looks like they won’t be done anytime soon,” Aubree said, looking down at her phone.

She had interacted with Darius earlier, feigning interest in biotechnology and arranging to talk in more detail later.

Nina agreed without hesitation. Her job was to protect Aubree, so wherever Aubree went, she was right behind.

The two of them left the Walton family estate together.

Carmen watched them go. She didn’t recognize Nina and naturally assumed she was just one of Aubree’s assistants or secretaries. Among Aubree’s group, the only one with any real threat was Vincent. Aubree had already sent him away.

Carmen couldn’t help the joy bubbling inside her and broke into a smile. Aubree, oh Aubree… You’re digging your own grave.

She had originally been thinking of how to get rid of Vincent to ensure nothing would go wrong, but Aubree had done it for her.

“Carmen…” Bryan appeared at her side without her noticing. Carmen quickly pulled herself together. “Daxton, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Daxton frowned. “Just… do you know why Mom and Dad insisted I keep Bowen from leaving the Walton family estate?”

Bowen had been held back by Darius to discuss business. A key reason was that he had mentioned the potential of combining artificial intelligence with medical applications. The concept had greatly inspired Darius, who was now engrossed in conversation with him.

Carmen’s eyes flickered slightly. “I’m not really sure. Maybe they’ve come up with some plan to talk Aubree into returning, and having Mr. Turner around makes it inconvenient.”

Daxton nodded, reluctantly accepting her explanation. He noticed Casper sneaking around nearby, clearly wanting to come over, and his face darkened. “When are we leaving?”

“Later. Bryan still has some things to discuss with the Walton family,” Carmen replied.

Seeing that Carmen wouldn’t leave, Daxton changed the subject as he noticed Casper getting closer. “Carmen, what do you think of Casper?”

Carmen was momentarily stunned. Of course, she knew Casper liked her. He was two years older, and their relationship, honestly speaking, was just regular friends based on the two families’ long-standing ties.

“I’ve always seen him as a big brother who’s very nice to me.” Carmen didn’t understand Daxton’s intentions, but she knew well enough how to choose between Casper and Daxton. She gave a safe answer.

“Besides, you know I like Alvin.” At the mention of Alvin, Carmen thought of how he had been actively reaching out to her lately, and her smile turned sweet.

Daxton’s gaze immediately darkened. He was satisfied with the first part, but the rest…

He raised his hand and patted her on the head, glancing sideways. The spot where Casper had been trying to sneak closer was now empty.

Aubree and Nina were nearing the Walton family’s parking garage when Aubree suddenly stopped and felt around her body. “I think I left my bracelet at the Walton family’s place.”

“Is it important?” Nina asked.

“Bowen gave it to me,” Aubree replied.

Nina asked, “Should I tell Mr. Turner and Mr. Malone to look for it when they leave?”

Aubree shook her head. “Nina, you go start the car. I’ll go back and ask the cleaning ladies if they’ve seen it.”

Everyone at this banquet was wealthy or powerful. Theft was unlikely. It was probably just crowded, and the bracelet got snagged off.

Nina figured that by the time she got the car and drove to the estate gate, Aubree would be back. “Alright.”

The Walton family’s private estate was mostly used for entertaining guests, with a specially built underground parking garage. Even with lights, it was quite dim.

Nina reached the car, just about to take the keys, when a sharp instinct made her suddenly alert. Her eyes, like a hawk, scanned the area sharply. “Who’s there?”

The couple hiding in the dark quickly ducked down. “Is it that girl?”

“How would I know? She was only five back then, a tiny kid. Now she’s grown up. How could I recognize her? But she does look like the woman in the photo.”

“This little brat is pretty sharp. She actually noticed us just now,” the middle-aged man muttered.

“Enough with the crap. No matter how sharp she is, she’s just one person. What can she do? Plus, Mrs. Diamonde arranged people for us. Let’s get this done quickly and be done with it.”

“Mrs. Diamonde said once we’re done with this job, we’ll be sent overseas. No more hiding from the police.” The woman’s eyes were sinister and cold.

The man looked Nina up and down, a filthy idea taking root. Their employer said to “take care of her anyway.” Since she was going to die, he might as well enjoy her before that.

“She’s just a little girl. I can handle her myself.” The man sneered and approached with a drug-soaked cloth in hand.

Suddenly, Nina spun around and kicked as he came closer. A beautiful spinning kick landed in his abdomen, almost making him cough up blood. “Who are you?”

“Damn, you’ve got some fire!” The man’s eyes turned vicious. “Don’t remember me? We met when you were five.”

He grinned, revealing yellow teeth, and his smile was chilling.

‘Five years old?’ Nina quickly processed the information. She immediately thought of the kidnapping incident when Aubree was five. Given the current situation, it looked like this man had mistaken her for Aubree.

The woman cursed when she saw the man fail and stepped out of the shadows with other black-clad bodyguards arranged by Alice. “What are you babbling about?”

Nina immediately assumed a defensive stance. Her mind was quick. She didn’t know Aubree’s current situation. It was better to play along. She was better able to protect herself than Aubree.

“So it’s you filthy cockroaches. Been hiding all these years, and now you’re done hiding?” Nina sneered, her face full of contempt.

“You’ve got a sharp tongue!” The man stared intently at Nina’s exposed skin. Since leaving the Turner family, she didn’t have to do chores but kept up her training. Her perfectly proportioned and toned body was both strong and seductive.

Nina frowned in disgust, quickly scanning the guards approaching her. These people were clearly trained. She couldn’t take them all alone…

She swiftly devised the best strategy in her mind. She was carrying a tracker. Even if she was captured, Bowen would find her. Better to conserve her strength for later. Besides, this couple was likely the same traffickers who had kidnapped Aubree all those years ago. There were clearly more people behind them.

Nina pretended to resist and quickly feigned being overpowered.

Nina smirked. “A bunch of grown men bullying one woman. Shameless.”

“Aww, Missy, you’re not just any ordinary girl!” the man laughed smugly, taking out the drug-soaked cloth and pressing it over her nose and mouth.

Nina knew this kind of drug well. She held her breath and pretended to pass out.

“Alright, we’ll take it from here. You guys leave,” the man said with a lecherous grin and reached out to grab her.

The woman’s face darkened, and she slapped him. “Get lost. I’ll guard her. Timothy, don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning.”

Knowing he was in the wrong, Timothy Greer didn’t dare argue.

A black Mercedes drove out of the Walton family’s parking garage.