Chapter 500: Journey to Clearwater
Jared took the document handed to him, a mission briefing issued by headquarters, yet its origin was not disclosed.
The objective-A virus research facility established by GTO in Clearwater!
This document required Jared to proceed secretly, with Christopher Parr overseeing operations from Ashbury headquarters covertly, and the captains of three small squads on standby.
Such an arrangement was utterly unexpected at this time of year.
Jared rubbed his fingers together, “Is someone inside the headquarters helping us?”
Christopher Parr denied it, “I called headquarters this morning. They are still upset about allowing Tina into the combat zone and your casual disclosure of the combat area with Husky. They would never issue such a document.”
Jared narrowed his eyes.
If headquarters didn’t issue the order, then where did this mission come from?
Christopher Parr tapped the desk with his finger, “What is our first rule upon joining the team?”
Jared raised an eyebrow, “Absolute obedience to superior orders!”
“Exactly. Since we have the document, and it’s a top-secret one that doesn’t require reporting to the director or others, we should just carry out the mission.”
Jared and Christopher Parr exchanged a knowing smile; real or fake, the document was now of absolute assistance to them.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
After all, the main office of the X Bureau was in Clearwater!
Jared handed all command responsibilities of the X Bureau to Christopher Parr, quietly informed Nathan to follow, instructed Hayden to strictly guard Paula White’s bomb base, and kept Jason on standby, ready to support Clearwater.
The next morning, without waiting for Jared to pick her up, Tina had already gone to the Farrell family early.
The day before, Tina had arranged everything and told Hugo she would be leaving Ashbury for a while.
Hugo did not ask much; no one could stop Tina from doing what she wanted.
At the Farrell family,
Jared also told Logan and the others, “Grandpa, I’m going to Clearwater with Tina. Grandma called mom a while ago, asking me to visit when I have the time.”
Logan sighed heavily, reluctant at the thought of Jared’s grandmother’s house.
Marie seemed even more hesitant, watching Jared with an unspoken disapproval of their trip to Clearwater.
After a long deliberation, Marie finally spoke, “Jared, it’s okay not to go. There’s nothing important at your grandmother’s house, just needless complaints. Why bother going there to be disliked?”
Tina found it odd, “Why does Marie disdain her own family so much?”
Asher also disagreed, “There’s nothing good at your grandmother’s place, especially since you’re taking Tina. What if she gets mistreated?”
Logan slowly added, “Indeed, we have not interacted with your grandmother’s family for many years. There’s no good reason for them to call you now.”
Holding Tina’s hand, Jared reassured everyone, “With me, Tina will not be mistreated. Don’t worry.”
“I still can’t be at ease,” Marie complained, “Your grandmother is not an easy person. I still remember how she tormented your father back in the day.”
At this, Marie’s eyes teared up, clearly aggrieved.
Asher quickly embraced her, “It’s been so many years; why cry when it comes up?”
“How can I not cry? Both daughters, yet I can’t understand how she could be so biased. It’s as if I was not her own!”
Marie had even conducted several paternity tests with her own mother, never truly believing she was her family’s biological child.
How else could she be so disliked?
Jared silently sighed, sat beside Marie, and placed Sophia on his lap, “Mom, I promise you, I will not let Tina suffer any injustice, nor will I give grandma any chance to intervene. They need to understand that my fiancee is already chosen.”
Tina raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. No wonder the whole family was worried about her feeling aggrieved; it turned out someone was vying for her uncle. This made her even more curious to see who this person was who dared to compete with her for a man!
Asher, soothing Marie, actually agreed with his son’s reasoning-it was important to show these people how exemplary his daughter-in-law was. “Jared is right,” he said. “Let’s take her to meet my mother and show them that our daughter-in-law is the best in the world, right?”
Logan nodded repeatedly, “In that case, you all should go. If you need anything, call me and I’ll personally deal with that old lady!”
Asher quickly tugged at his own father, “Let it be, Dad. Just wait at home for the good news.” He remembered the chaos his father had caused at the Lyon family’s place years ago and guessed they were probably still cursing about it!
Marie wiped her tears, seeing her father-in-law and husband in agreement, and chose not to say more. She looked up at Tina and said, “Tina, come with me to the room, I have something to tell you.”
This was the first time Tina saw a serious expression on Marie’s face. She followed Marie to the bedroom. Upon entering, Tina saw the perfume she had developed displayed on the vanity, the bottle shining brightly. Marie sat at the vanity and opened the lowest drawer, pulling out a locked box. She took off her necklace, which surprisingly served as a delicate key, and unlocked the box.
“Come sit here,” Marie beckoned to the chair in front of her.
Tina sat down and saw a ring inside the box. It was of an ancient design but still sparkled brightly, obviously very valuable. Marie took the ring out and, with a look of reluctance, placed it on Tina’s hand. It wasn’t that she minded giving it to Tina, but because the ring was extremely important to her, more so than life itself.
“This was left to me by my grandmother, who was the kindest person to me in the entire Lyon family,” Marie choked up, wiping away a tear.
Tina moved her lips, about to refuse such a significant gift, but Marie grasped her hand firmly. “This ring is a Lyon family heirloom and a token of the head of the Lyon family. For many years, Jared’s grandmother has been searching for it, though I never brought it out.”
“The ring for me?” Tina had no interest in the position of head of the Lyon family.
Marie pursed her lips and said, “My grandmother gave it to me, but I knew I couldn’t convince the Lyon family with my capabilities, especially since I married into the Ashbury family and preferred not to meddle in Clearwater affairs. Originally, I planned to save this ring for Jared’s future wife, but now that you are here, it naturally belongs to you.”
“I intended to give it to you at a formal occasion, like your wedding, but since you are heading to Clearwater and to the Lyon family, I had to bring it out now.”
Then, Marie took out a notebook and began writing down several names from top to bottom.