Ch. 1181..1190: Chapter 1181-1190

Chapter 1181

Billy was secretly a chess fanatic. He could not wait to find out what the manual was called so he could study it in private.

Bonnie's lips curled into a grin. A hint of mischief flashed in her eyes. Then she pretended to ponder deeply, rubbing her chin as she did.

"It's been such a long time since I've read it. I can't recall it off the top of my head. I'm going to need some time."

He waved his hand and said, "It's fine. Take your time. I'm not in any hurry, anyway. Let's continue our game. Then, tell me about what you see as the game goes on. That'll allow me to study chess differently, too."

She feigned surprise and said, "I'm seriously not good at chess, Billy. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be studying chess the way I do. The last thing I want to do is lead you astray."

"It'll be fine. I'll know what to do." He gestured for her to look at the game, that had only gone halfway through. "Come on, keep playing."

"Fine, then." She had been playing reservedly earlier. Now, however, she played much more aggressively.

It only took her three moves to turn the tide.Chapter

He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. However, her next move would continue to shock and awe him.

As she moved her chess piece across the board, he was checkmated. Victory was supposedly within his grasp, too.

His eyes widened in shock as he looked at the chessboard. He even wondered if he was seeing things wrongly. So, he closed his eyes and opened them again. He did it multiple times before he had to admit that this wasn't an illusion at all.

'It's been said that some people could decide the outcome of the match in just one move. The way Barrett moved his chess pieces is probably proof of that!

Billy had to suppress the excitement that rose in his chest. Looking at her with clear admiration, he asked, "Would you please show me how you did it, Barrett?" Billy had never been this humble in his entire life.

"It's quite simple." She proceeded to tell him the core of the principle in an easily understood manner.

In fact, she was long used to the excited look on Billy's face.

After all, she was 'The Shepherd.' To neutralize Billy on the chessboard was like taking candy from a baby for someone like her.

He gave her a thumbs up at once.

"Not only are you great at chess, but your way of thinking is also

impeccable! I could go back in time to the moment when I was the same age as you, but I still wouldn't be half as incredible as you are now!"

Billy had always been an arrogant man. He'd rarely admit that someone else was better than him at something. For him to give her such high praise was proof that he was deeply impressed with her.

She smiled. "You're too humble, Billy. You're managing such a major organization, and that makes you better than a lot of ordinary folks already. I don't think you're inferior to me. On the contrary, I find myself unable to match your success!

"I've always thought of myself as a loser. After all, I couldn't even look after my family well. If it wasn't because something happened to them, I wouldn't have..."

 

Chapter 1182

Bonnie wanted Billy to let down his guard.

'I'm aware that he's constantly worried about me having an ulterior motive for joining his organization. That's why he never let me get in touch with the chip. 'The reason I made up something about my family is because I want him to think that I really am doing this for the money. That ought to lower his guard.'

As expected, Billy stopped in his tracks. He was about to move a chess piece, but he put it down instead.

He asked, "Your family? What happened to them?"

She pretended to sigh helplessly.

"I used to work in another state, leaving my old parents in the village. My mom had some serious health issues back when she was young. So, she was very fragile. I even almost lost her to a high fever a while ago!

"She managed to cling on to life and barely recovered, but the high fever brought on an onslaught of other conditions. She's still receiving treatment in the ICU right now. It burned a hole in my wallet and drained my entire life savings.

"I'm broke now. I was overwhelmed with a huge sense of helplessness when I looked at her, lying on the bed. Just as I was running out of options, I saw that you're hiring. H-How else am I supposed to find a huge amount of money?"

She spoke with such genuine emotion that her eyes even turned red at the end of it.

She didn't make up the whole story. Most of it happened to Welma. Fortunately, she had extensive medical knowledge and abundant money. So, things didn't go as badly as they could have. Meanwhile, Billy looked at her with sympathy after he heard her story. "You're young, but you have an extremely heavy burden on your shoulders."

She deliberately curled her lips into a bitter grin. "I didn't think about anything else. All I know is that my mom gave birth to me and raised me. I don't care what I have to do, as long as I can keep her with us! The admiration in his eyes intensified when he heard what she said. It wasn't just about her skill sets, either. He was more impressed with her character.

'I know I'm not a good guy, but someone as pure-hearted as Barrett is hard to come by these days.

'I also know that I can cultivate an unwavering loyalty with guys like him. I won't have to worry about him betraying me.'

At the thought of it, he reached out and patted her on the shoulder.

"You're all right, young man. I see now why you were able to pass the tests. Not only are you capable, but you're very responsible as well! Now that you're one of us, you're family. You can count on me, Barrett won't let you suffer for as long as I breathe!" Chapter

Feeling his hand on her shoulder, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes. She had to stop herself from gripping his hand and break it with a twist.

She shifted to the side calmly and let his hand fall downward.

"I appreciate it, Billy. Judging by your response, I can tell you're also a man with big feelings and deep sentiments. It looks like I made the right decision by attending the interview."

He noticed her avoiding his hand and smiled as he withdrew it. "Pardon me. I forgot that you don't like to be touched."

"It's alright, Billy. This habit of mine makes me seem a little unfriendly I'm lucky that you understand me." She smiled, but it wasn't a genuine one. Instead, it looked downright creepy.

Billy wasn't ready for it when he met her gaze. He couldn't help but shiver.

'Why do I get the feeling that Barrett is hiding an authoritative and overpowering air in him? It makes me feel like he's some kind of big shot who's as powerful as I am. It feels as if he's way above me...'

He glanced at her with inquisitive eyes again.

 

Chapter 1183

Bonnie resumed her harmless demeanor and made herself look vulnerable as well. There wasn't a trace of the sense of authority and overpowering aura that Billy had sensed from her a second ago. He realized it and frowned, falling into deep thought. 'Did I make a mistake?'

He wanted to confirm again and proceeded to look at her. She was still wearing that harmless expression on her face, the way she did earlier.

After confirming it, his suspicion gradually faded off. 'I must've made a mistake!

'After all, why would he put himself in danger by sneaking into my organization if he really is some big shot who's more powerful and influential than I am?

At the thought of it, he began to treat her with the same attitude as he did before, with adoration and genuine interest.Chapter

"It's only normal for geniuses like you to have some quirky sides. I can completely understand it." With that, he waved at Francesco, who was standing not far from them. "Come over here." "Yes, Mr. Billy," Francesco responded and hurried over.

Billy whispered something to Francesco, who nodded and left the room again.

She watched in silence. For a moment there, she couldn't understand what Billy was doing.

She couldn't resist chuckling and asking, "What's the matter, Billy? Do you have some other matters you need to attend to? You can go ahead and work on it. I'll just go back to my room and wait for you to callme again when it's time for dinner."

She hadn't forgotten that Ivor was still waiting for her phone call. She might've been a little anxious about it, but she couldn't let it show. Otherwise, it'd backfire on her.

"That's not what's happening here."

Billy waved and said, "Furthermore, I didn't tell Francesco about my matters. I asked him to prepare a surprise for you. He's going to fetch it and come back in no time."

She heard what he said and her lips couldn't help but twitch in response.

'Surprise? What on earth is he trying to do now? Is it another test? Is it some kind of trick?'

Billy noticed that Bonnie simply remained where she stood. "Aren't you curious at all, Barrett? Aren't you going to guess what surprise I've prepared for you?"

She brushed her thoughts aside and responded with a smile, "You've overestimated me, Billy. You're such a meticulous person, and I've known

you for barely more than a day How

could guess what you're going to give me?"

He was delighted with the way she complimented him. Throwing his head back, he laughed throatily.

"Hahaha! You're way too modest. You're a meticulous person yourself, too, Barrett."

 

Chapter 1184

Bonnie went along with him and laughed as well. "I appreciate your compliment, Billy, but I can never hope to come close to you." Billy was even happier. "It's alright. You're going to know what kind of surprise I prepared for you soon, anyway."

He shot a glance at the door.

At the next moment, Francesco walked into the room.

She followed his gaze and saw his henchman coming back too, but she didn't grow anxious. Instead, she merely stared quietly.

Extending his hand, Billy said, "Give it to me."

Francesco fished something out of his pocket and handed it respectfully to him.

Once Billy took it, he turned around and walked over to her.

Their backs were turned to her during the handoff. So, she couldn't help but grow slightly alert when she saw Billy heading toward her.

'What on earth did Billy prepare for me? I hope it isn't anything dangerous. Otherwise, I'm going to have to spend more time dealing with him, which means I'll have to keep Ivor waiting longer.' Billy showed her the gift.

She lowered her gaze and looked at it inquisitively. She was stunned when she saw a bank card in the heart of his palm.

"Um... Billy... What's this?"

'I can't believe it. Did he give me a bank card? I haven't even done anything for him. Is he seriously letting me spend his money already? What's the meaning of this gesture?'

She was still in the middle of the

confusion when he explained. "Didn't you just say that your mom needed money urgently for her treatment? There is one million dollars on this bank card. Consider it my gift for you.

swn's

"Take it and solve your crisis. You're going to get so much more than this after you complete the future tasks I have for you."

She pretended to be moved and looked at him in a daze. "W-Why are you treating me with such kindness, Billy?"

Needless to say, Billy's action didn't make her think that he was a kind-hearted man. After all, he was doing this because her value far

exceeded one million dollars as far

as he was concerned.

It just so happened that she said she needed money urgently. So, he deliberately used the money to try to make her feel moved, thereby making it seem like he cared a lot about her. That was his tactic to win her loyalty and make it so that she'd do anything for him, even if it meant giving her life away.

'I have to give it to him. He knows what he's doing when it comes to winning loyalty. If this had been anyone else, they probably would've been duped by Billy.

'It's too bad that he's dealing with me. I'm not going to fall for his trick this easily!'

"It's fine. One million is nothing to me. Now that you've joined my organization, you're a part of my family. It's only right that I lend you a hand with your problems."

A hint of triumph flashed in his eyes when he saw that Bonnie was so 'moved' that her eyes turned red.

'As expected, people like Barrettnoveldrama

would easily feel moved with a little.

reward. I was right about him. He might've been multi-talented, but that doesn't change the fact that he's barely older than 20 years old, not to mention inexperienced in the ways the real world works.

'How is he supposed to hold his own against me?'

 

Chapter 1185

Bonnie didn't miss out on the subtle triumph in Billy's eyes. Her lips curled slightly as a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.

'I knew it. Billy isn't some kind-hearted soul. I should tread more carefully when I'm dealing with him.'

She pretended to be deeply moved when she looked at him. "Thank you, Billy. I mean it. There's hope for my mom now."

He stuffed the bank card in her hand and said, "This is but a tiny favor. Take the money and settle your mom's medical bills. If everything turns out fine, I'm going to hire the most famous doctor in Yale to treat her."

'I'm talking about the tests I've prepared for him, of course. After all, Barrett's talent is priceless. I could spend millions on him and still feel that it's worth it.

'If I so much as sniff out something off about him, then I'll think of the one million dollars as me sponsoring his funeral.'

Bonnie said, "I really appreciate this, Billy. I don't even know where to begin repaying you." She felt goosebumps from disgust as she spoke.

She had never had to say something like this to anyone. After all, she had always stood at the top of the food chain everywhere she went. She needed no pity or mercy from anyone, nor did she have to bow down to anyone.Chapter

"You don't have to repay me or anything. Just show up and do everything I tell you to do when I need it."

"Roger that, Billy. You've done me a huge favor. I promise I will do anything you ask me to do!" She responded firmly.

When she looked at him, her eyes were filled with gratitude, as if she would go to the depths of hell to fulfill his request.

Meanwhile, Billy was very satisfied with her response. "Wonderful. I feel much better after what you said."

'It took merely one million dollars to make Barrett so grateful to me that he'd jump in the lake if I ordered him to. What a sweet deal.'

"Um... Can I be excused back to my room, so I can transfer the money to my mom? She can pay the hospital I'm worried that the doctor will stop all treatment if we drag the payment for too long." She wore an

Ov

expression of worry and urgency as she spoke.

He read her expression and decided she wasn't faking it. So, he agreed to it immediately.

"Alright. I can understand how anxious you are now. So, go ahead and do it now! I'll have Francesco fetch you from your room when dinner's ready."

She relaxed a little and scurried back to her room with the bank card.

Billy watched her leave, a glint of light in his eyes. Francesco saw it and couldn't help but walk over to his leader and ask, "What are you looking at, Mr. Billy? Are you suspecting that Barrett lied to you?"

He shook his head in response. "Barrett doesn't seem like a liar. I'm looking at him because I'm thinking about the best way to maximize his talents. It would be best if he could develop a chip that's better than the one the Nidhogg created.

"If that future should come to pass, then I'll be able to realize my dream of ruling over every international organization someday."

"You're having such high hopes for him, Mr. Billy. What are you going to do if he turns out to have some ulterior motives?" Francesco's voice was thick with concern. Billy gave him a sharp glare.

"Do you think I need your advice in dealing with him? When have I been wrong about a person?"

Francesco hunched and said hastily, "Of course, you've never been wrong about anyone. However—" Before he could finish, Billy cut him off.

"That's enough. I have no interest in listening to your crap. Get back to work now!"

 

Chapter 1186

Francesco hunched and didn't dare to say anything further on the subject. He responded hastily, "O-Okay, Mr. Billy. I'll get back to my work now."

Billy watched him leave and averted his gaze, wearing an inexplicable expression as he did.

'Barrett is such an incredibly talented man. I have to win him over and make him work and die for me willingly!'

The first thing Bonnie did when she returned to her room was connect to the hidden camera in her room and change the setting. That way, she could call Ivor. She tapped on her phone and navigated to the menu, only to find that it was empty.

Realizing this, she couldn't help but frown slightly.

'What's going on? Why can't I connect to the camera? I can't even track its signal. Could they have removed the camera?'

She swept her eyes casually over the hidden camera's spot. That was when she saw that there was nothing there. A hint of joy flashed in her eyes.

'Billy was willing to remove the camera. It looks like he's gradually trusting me. If that's the case, my efforts are well worth it!

'If this keeps up, I'll be able to lay my hands on the chip in no time. Then, I'll be able to go back home and reunite with Ivor.'

As an image of his defined face flashed in her mind, her lips curled into a grin.

'Although we can't see each other now, it would be good to listen to his charming voice. I'm going to call him now.'

Bonnie navigated to the contact list, found Collin's number, and made the call.

Collin answered her call almost immediately, "You're finally calling me, chief! You have no idea how scared I was while I waited for you. I'm worried that Billy will occupy all of your time, and you won't be able to call Ivor."

"He nearly succeeded in wasting my time, but I'm smart enough to trick him and get back earlier." She chuckled. "What's more, I've gained some of his trust. It won't be long before I can get the chip." "Really?" Collin felt happy on her behalf. "That's fantastic! I was so worried that Ivor might check on you when you aren't in Pyralis.

"If that happens, and he finds out you've been doing something so dangerous, he just might lock you up once you're back home. You wouldn't have been able to take a step out of your place anymore." Bonnie felt a headache coming on. "That's what I'm worried most about as well."

'After all, Ivor is easy to talk to most of the time, However, he wouldn't budge when it came to my safety. have no idea what he's going to do if he found out that I traveled to Vale by myself and did all of these dangerous feats. Chapter

"What matters is that we resolve this issue about the chip as fast as we can. If we can do it fast, then we won't arouse his suspicion." Collin was still very worried that this incident would undermine the relationship between Bonnie and Iver.

'After all, it's no easy feat for someone like her to get married. As her assistant, I must preserve her marriage at every turn!

"Okay. Got it." She pursed her lips and said, "I have the time right now. Get my phone and call Ivor now. I'm going to talk to him through your phone."

"Alright, chief." Collin had just pulled out Bonnie's phone and was about to give Ivor a call, but he heard her voice again.

"Remember, don't make any strange noises while I'm talking to him. It would be over if he asked for a video call."

 

Chapter 1187

Given Bonnie's current situation, she could never trick Ivor if he asked for a video call.

"You got it, chief. I promise I'll behave and won't make any noises." She might not have been able to see it, but he raised his hand and swore an oath nonetheless. "Okay." She replied dryly. "Just remember what I said. Also, get my phone and call Ivor now." She missed her husband quite a lot.

Collin heard what she said and couldn't help but make fun of her, "Roger, chief. Would you listen to yourself, though? I can hear the eagerness in your voice." Bonnie rolled her eyes so hard they might pop. "You're just a poor, single fellow. What would you know? Cut your crap and do what I said. Call him now."

"Alrighty." He responded leisurely, his voice thick with playfulness.

Ivor heard his phone buzzing. Seeing Bonnie's name on his phone, a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes.

Floyd stood next to him and noticed that his master hadn't answered the phone call for a long time. He couldn't help but ask, puzzled, "Haven't you been looking forward to Ms. Bonnie's call? Why aren't you picking it up?"

Ivor took a deep breath and barely managed to suppress the indescribable emotions rising in his chest.Chapter

"I can't explain it, but I was a little nervous when I saw her name popping up on my phone. I'll have to compose myself before I answer her call."

Floyd couldn't help but twitch his lips in response.

"You have been married for quite some time now, Mr. Ivor. It's just a phone call. There's nothing to be nervous about."

"You wouldn't get it." Ivor gave him a sharp glance, signaling for him to shut his mouth.

Floyd quickly fell into silence.

'As a matter of that, I have no words

to describe how I feel right now. It's like we've been away for such a long time that I'm back to the moment when Bonnie agreed to be my girlfriend.'

'I'm feeling this nervousness now. I'm might stutter because worried

I'm

edge. I should take.

time to compose myself."

Collin thought Ivor would answer Bonnie's call immediately. Now, however, the phone had been ringing for adong time, but no one was answering.

He couldn't help but frown. "What's going on, chief? Why isn't Ivor picking up the call?"

Bonnie's brow furrowed as well. "Perhaps he's busy or something. It's fine. We'll just wait for a while."

She might've said what she said, but even she was finding Ivor's behavior a tad unusual.

Collin was still trying to figure out what was going on when a bold thought cropped up in his mind.

"Do you think Ivor is already on his way back to Pyralis to check on you, chief?"

 

Chapter 1188

Bonnie's heart skipped a beat. "Probably not."

'Well, I have to say that that would be something Ivor would do. So, I can't be sure about it.'

"What are we going to do if he takes a flight back to Pyralis, but you're not there?" Collin was pacing back and forth, anxious on his chief's behalf. "You're behind enemy lines right now. There's no way you could fly back home now!

"No excuses would work if you're not even in Pyralis! Gosh. What are we going to do?" He was so anxious that he was scratching his ears and cheeks.

"Calm down, Collin. I'll think of something." Bonnie rubbed her brow. She was having a headache.

"I-Is there any way around it, though?" He scratched his head, but he couldn't think of any solution to this predicament.

"I'll just tell him the truth if it comes down to it!"

'I kept this a secret from Ivor because this identity of mine is involved with international organizations, with complicated internal structures. So, I didn't want to drag him into it, thereby putting him in danger. I'll tell him the truth if I really don't have a choice.'

"I don't think it's a good idea to tell him the truth..."

All of a sudden, Collin's eyes widened. He was about to say something, but he saw out of the corner of his eye that Ivor answered the call.

At the next moment, he heard Ivor's charming voice.Chapter

"Hey, Bonnie."

She let out a sigh of relief, cleared her throat, and said, "I'm here. What's the matter? Toby told me

that you're very anxious to talk to me on the phone. Did something

happen with your work trip?"

'If Ivor answered the call, it means that he didn't take a flight back to Pyralis, as both Collin and I presumed. However, this call made me realize something.

'He might've gone on a work trip overseas, but he's far closer to Pyralis than I am. After all, I'm in Yale. He could always take a flight back home anytime he wanted.

'I can't afford to keep this under wraps for long. If I don't retrieve the chip as soon as possible, Ivor might find out about it.'

"So, you do know I'm anxious to talk to you. Why didn't you answer, then?" Ivor's tone was thick with helplessness.

She pretended to respond solemnly,

"You do know that I'm working on a huge project. I intend to finish what started, and I dislike it when people interrupt me, especially when it comes to my research. All it takes is to be distracted for a second, and I might make a mistake."

"Aren't you worried that I'm calling you because something bad happened to me?"

He might've known what she was like, but that didn't change the fact that he was slightly dissatisfied. After all, Bonnie valued her research more than her husband.

His displeasure intensified when he thought about how she didn't answer his call, even though they hadn't met each other for a long time.

Bonnie could tell he was feeling helpless. So, she soothed him. "I know your capabilities well. On top of that, you care a lot about me. So, I'm certain you won't let anything happen to yourself."

"Remember what you said? You

would practically be giving me away if you let anything happen to you. I've taken this to heart. That's why I'm not at all worried about you letting yourself get hurt."

What she said had pleased Ivor greatly. He couldn't have stopped his lips from curling into a grin, even if he tried.

 

Chapter 1189

"Are you saying that you understand me well and that's the reason you chose to finish your research and ignored my call? I'm sorry, but I don't think I can accept that," Ivor said.

Bonnie heard a hint of pride in his voice and couldn't help but giggle. "What's the matter? Isn't it nice that I know you well? Were you hoping that I don't?"

"That's not what I mean." He explained hastily.

In fact, she knew what he meant. She was just messing with him. "What are you trying to say, then?"

"I don't want you to choose research over me. That's all." His tone became humble. "I'm your husband and your darling. If you care more about some research than you do about me, then I'm going to be jealous."

"Jealous?" She grinned as she continued to make fun of him leisurely. "What do you mean? Are you going to be jealous because I spend time on my research?

"The entire Arvandor is waiting for me to develop something. I can't stop conducting my research now, can I?"

Ivor remained quiet and didn't say anything back.

'Bonnie's making a fine point. After all, she's not just any ordinary researcher. The entire Arvandor needs to protect her. It would be too selfish of me to make her slow down her research for my sake.'

She noticed he didn't respond to him after a long time. So, she asked with a smile, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I'm contemplating what you said because it makes a lot of sense." Ivor reflected on his immature grievance. "I gave it a long thought and concluded that I was wrong to say what I said. I won't repeat the same mistake."

Bonnie couldn't resist laughing. "You can be jealous of anything except my research."

He cleared his throat. "It's true. From

time to time, I'd feel awful because you care more about your research than you do about me. However, I'm going to keep this feeling with me and not say it out.

"After all, I'm the science prodigy's husband. I have to sacrifice myself a little for the greater good."

"Pfft!" Collin didn't count on Ivor

being this amusing when he talked

to Bonnie. He almost laughed out loud, but he realized quickly that the latter would hear him. So, he

covered his mouth hastily and stifled his laughter.

He offered a silent prayer, hoping that Ivor did not hear his brief laughter and start suspecting that something was amiss.

After all, Bonnie was having a hard time keeping the whole thing a secret from Ivor. If he ended up ruining the whole thing, she'd surely have his head. Ivor heard the soft laughter, and asked, confused, "Who's snorting there, Bonnie?"Chapter

He didn't think it was Bonnie because that wasn't how she usually laughed.

She realized that too. So, she didn't say that it was her who laughed. Instead, she made up a story and said it was someone else.

"It's one of the new researchers the institute hired. He passed by earlier and couldn't help but laugh because he found our conversation funny."

 

Chapter 1190

"Really?" Ivor didn't trust her fully.

'I'm happy to be able to talk to Bonnie on the phone, but I can't shake the feeling that something is off. I couldn't have dismissed it if I tried.'

"Yeah. Do you think I would've lied to you over something so insignificant?" Bonnie's voice was very calm and unfazed.

He remained quiet for a moment and put up a small request.

"Can you ask him to say hello to me, then? I'm the science prodigy's husband. Your new researchers should know who I am. Otherwise, he might not recognize me when I visit your research institute in the future."

'What on earth is he playing at?' Bonnie thought to herself, 'I'll have to ask Collin to pretend to be the new researcher and have him introduce himself to Ivor.

'After all, Collin deserves it. He's the one who accidentally laughed. Why else would Ivor become suspicious?'

She cleared her throat and pretended as if there was someone next to her. She said, "Did you hear that, Allen? Come over quickly and say hello to Ivor."

Collin had already wiped the smile off his face. He adopted a respectful attitude immediately and talked to Ivor on the phone.

"G-Greetings, Mr. Ivor."

"Mm-hmm." He responded dryly. Then, he asked, "Are you one of the new staff at Bonnie's new research institute? When were you hired? Also, where's the place located?"

'Why would he ask such detailed questions? He should've asked me about it, not my researcher. Dang it. I've underestimated how meticulous he can be!'

"Why are you bombarding him with so many questions? Are you trying to do a background check? How do you expect him to give you the answers?" Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. Realizing that Bonnie was a little upset, he firmly believed that something was wrong. So, he insisted on getting the answers to his questions.

"I just asked him three questions.

Also, aren't these common questions? If he can't even answer

them, that'd make me wonder if he's really someone from your research institute." Chapter

Ivor was being very straightforward now.

'The last thing I want to do is to suspect her. However, there are too many weird things going on for me to ignore.

'I still believe that Bonnie would never do anything unfaithful to me. However, I am worried that she's doing something dangerous and not telling me about it.'

She caught his meaning and scoffed, "Tell me, then. Who else could he be if not one of my researchers?"

"Isn't this what I'm asking him now? I'll only know the answer after he answers me. After all, I'm not with you now. I can only relax after my questions are answered." Ivor asked leisurely. "You don't mind, do you, honey?"

Bonnie heard what he said and fell into deep thought.

'Ivor's very good at speaking. If I tell him that do mind, then it's going to rouse his suspicion more. He just might become so worked up that and takes a flight back to Pyralis and checks on me.

'I'm giving him this call to calm him down, so he can focus on his work overseas. I certainly don't want to unnerve him.'

At the thought of it, her tone grew softer when she spoke.