Chapter 189 Framed

He had instinctively sided with Kyla every time, as if he were blind to everything else, as if the truth didn’t matter at all.

“Alright, sir. Please come with us for questioning while we pull the surveillance footage,” one of the security officers said in a tone that brooked no argument.

“Tilda Jenson!”

Snapping back to himself, Howard shook his head violently, almost dizzy with rage. He was furious. How could he ever have compared Tilda to Kyla? Tilda was filthy, deceitful, a liar through and through—not even worthy of touching a single hair of the innocent, kindhearted Kyla.

But the officers already saw him as a pervert. They held him firmly and marched him toward the security office for questioning. With so many witnesses around and uniformed guards on either side, Howard didn’t dare fight back. No matter how hot his temper burned, he wasn’t stupid. Lay a hand on someone here and he’d make headlines, or worse, land in detention for a few days.

“But my flight is boarding soon,” he protested weakly.

“After the investigation is complete, we’ll assist you as quickly as possible,” one officer said flatly.

Howard was then taken away.

As for Tilda, the moment the disgusting man disappeared from sight, she felt the air turn instantly fresher.

By the time the surveillance footage was reviewed and multiple accounts taken, the officers confirmed that Howard hadn’t actually done anything physical. Only then did they release him, though their eyes were still filled with suspicion. After all, the footage clearly showed him charging after Tilda—an imposing man, nearly six foot three, over 170 pounds of muscle barreling toward her. No wonder she had cried for help. Anyone would’ve felt terrified being chased like that; it was as if a bear were hunting them down. If not for the fact that Howard hadn’t actually laid a hand on her, the guards would’ve arrested him on the spot.

It was humiliating. Beyond humiliating. And now, he had even missed his flight. The only option was to rebook for an hour later.

Staring at the plane already climbing into the sky, he clenched his jaw in rage. Tilda, just you wait. Once I’m back in Slosa, you’ll pay for this.

When Tilda finally returned to Slosa, Una had already gotten word and rushed to meet her at the airport.

“Hey Tilda!”

Spotting her, Una practically threw herself into Tilda's arms, grinning from ear to ear.

“Una, it’s been days. Did you miss me?”

“You heartless woman. You ran off to Hetsa without me. Why would I miss you?”

“Come on, I wasn’t off having fun. I had important business to handle.”

The two of them teased each other, laughing as they left the airport side by side. As for Dane, Tilda thought about telling Una the truth, but in the end, she decided against it. His identity was too unusual. For someone like Una, who lived a simple life in the open, knowing too much could only bring danger; it would make her a target.

After agreeing to meet Una later for dinner, Tilda finally made her way back to her apartment. Tilda set her suitcase down, but before she could rest, she flipped open her laptop and logged into the private forum she used to keep in touch with Jarrett and the others.

Tilda asked, “It’s been ten days. How’s the assignment I gave you coming along?”

Jarrett replied, “Take a look at mine! I’ve finished them.”

Theo said, “Me too!”

Astrid and Zach typed the same reply, “Same here!”

After grading their assignments, Tilda pointed out their weak spots and gave some professional feedback. Then she assigned them new tasks.

Long training pays off in the moment of action. For now, there was no threat to national security, but that didn’t mean one wouldn’t come. The four of them were talented, quick to absorb Tilda’s advice and turn it into real skill. Best of all, they were obedient. Whatever she told them to do, they would do it, never once arguing back.

Tilda nodded, satisfied. They were so much better than that damned Dominic.

Howard didn’t make it back to the Jenson Villa until hours later than planned. The humiliation he’d suffered at the airport in Hetsa still burned in his chest.

He cursed under his breath. Damn Tilda. What a curse. If I ever get my hands on her, I’ll kill her.

Wade had already gotten word of his arrival and was waiting at the door. “Howard, why are you so late?”

“Don’t even ask,” Howard muttered.

He didn’t dare badmouth Tilda in front of Wade, well, not anymore. Wade’s attitude toward her had completely changed. When it came to Tilda, the two of them were no longer on the same side. If Howard said a word against her, Wade might actually scold him for it. He wasn’t that stupid. Even if Howard couldn’t figure out what kind of spell Tilda had cast over Wade, he knew one thing for certain: that he would never forgive her. She was a traitor who had stabbed the Jensons in the back. The humiliation she’d dealt him would be repaid, sooner or later.

“Where did Mom and Dad go?” Howard asked.

“After what happened with Dominic, they’ve been a mess,” Wade explained. “And with the lawsuit against Tilda making such a scene, they’ve basically been staying at the company these days, trying to manage everything.”