Going out?

And looking so flustered about it.

Xia Xiaolan made a noncommittal sound: “Where are you going? I can give you a ride – it’s hard to get a taxi at this hour.”

Tina hesitated.

Xia Xiaolan smiled at her without pushing, which only made Tina more nervous. Whatever she planned to do, she didn’t want Xia Xiaolan to know, but she was afraid a blunt refusal would make Xia Xiaolan dig deeper.

“…OK, thanks!”

Tina finally yielded to Xia Xiaolan’s persistence.

Xia Xiaolan found this even stranger. Except for when they first met, Princess Tina had always been at odds with her – basically opposing whatever Xia Xiaolan said or did. Now she was agreeing with Xia Xiaolan’s suggestion. Had the lawsuit turned them into friends?

No.

Compared to arguing with Xia Xiaolan, where Tina needed to go and what she needed to do were more important. She didn’t want any complications. She complied with Xia Xiaolan to avoid changes to her plans – once Xia Xiaolan dropped her off, she would leave.

Good thinking, but she was too naive – half her thoughts were written on her face.

What kind of person was Xia Xiaolan? Even Tang Hongen had advised her not to be too cunning – she was truly a seasoned operator. Seeing Tina’s odd expression, she understood but didn’t expose it.

“Where are you going?”

“Wilson Hotel.”

Tina added, “I have some work-related matters to handle.”

Tina was interning at the golf club in Pengcheng, recently taking charge of daily contact and maintenance with club members. Did she need to handle work at Wilson Hotel?

As far as Xia Xiaolan knew, the golf club had no members in America.

“Is there a member visiting America?”

That would be normal enough.

Members paid to join the club, naturally expecting special treatment, like banks with their VIP clients – global travel handled without worry. Harold owned Wilson Hotels and the golf club; these businesses were interconnected. If Pengcheng Golf Club members came to New York for business or tourism, their membership could grant them reception at Wilson Hotel – such service would justify the club’s membership fees.

Xia Xiaolan offered this reasonable guess, but Tina gave evasive responses.

Xia Xiaolan grew more suspicious.

Could it be? Just last night she’d spoken with Xu Changle, and today it was already coming true.

Perhaps whatever the Wilsons wanted Tina to do was happening today… Harold might be in Wilson Hotel right now.

Xia Xiaolan stopped questioning.

Maybe her counter-surveillance skills weren’t good enough, but throughout the drive, she didn’t notice anyone following them. She didn’t spot any of Zhang Jiadong’s supposed men.

She deliberately drove slowly, while Tina kept secretly checking her watch.

Tina wanted to arrive at the Wilson Hotel at a specific time.

Xia Xiaolan pretended not to notice, complaining about New York traffic. When they finally reached the hotel entrance, Tina hurriedly got out: “I have urgent business. We’ll discuss the guide thing after I’m done. Goodbye!”

She wanted to get rid of Xia Xiaolan quickly.

Xia Xiaolan obliged, saying goodbye and driving away – but Tina’s relief was premature. Xia Xiaolan circled and returned to the hotel. She only caught a glimpse of Tina’s back as she headed for the elevator.

Xia Xiaolan went straight to the front desk:

“I need to contact Mr. Harold Wilson immediately. Please tell me he’s in the hotel right now.”

The front desk maintained their flawless smile, probably wondering what kind of person Xia Xiaolan was.

Women bursting in demanding to see the big boss – that only happened in movies. In reality, Xia Xiaolan’s request would definitely be ignored… No matter how attractive she was, she couldn’t trade her looks at a place like Wilson Hotel.

“Ma’am, do you have an appointment?”

Appointment my foot.

Wait – what was Harold’s contact number in America? She remembered he’d given it to her.

“I need to use the phone, just for one call.”

She hoped the number she recalled was correct.

The front desk found her somewhat familiar.

They didn’t think a pretty Asian woman would be an assassin or anything, and whether she was a gold digger or not, if she could make her contact, why not? They could at least allow her to make a phone call.

Ring-ring-ring—

The phone’s sound mixed with Xia Xiaolan’s pounding heartbeat.

She felt like she was in a spy movie.

Wasn’t it always like in films – at crucial moments, the damn phone wouldn’t connect, and no one would answer, leading to regret!

“Hello?”

The call connected while Xia Xiaolan was lost in thought.

Huh, she hadn’t remembered wrong?

“Harold?!”

The voice certainly sounded like Harold.

Harold recognized her voice too.

“You want to thank me for testifying? Well, you do owe me one, though what happened to you was also related to my previous inappropriate behavior—”

“Listen, listen to me. Don’t talk about that now. Thanks is one thing, but I need to tell you something else. Where are you now? Do you know Tina has come to the Wilson Hotel? I don’t know why you had people promote her, why you gave her authority she shouldn’t have, but you must stop now! Stop everything, for your good, for everyone’s good!”

Xia Xiaolan was practically shouting.

Her adrenaline surged; she couldn’t control her emotions. That light that had been floating in her mind since last night kept drifting, always just out of reach.

But things were very bad, truly bad. Xia Xiaolan instinctively wanted to stop it all.

On the phone, Harold was silent for a moment before responding:

“…I don’t know who you’re concerned about, but I’ll assume you’re worried about me, as a friend. I’d like to stop too, but it might be too late. She’s probably already entered that room by now. Every adult must take responsibility for their choices.”

Xia Xiaolan’s mind buzzed.

Harold wouldn’t kill Tina, would he?

Tina was being used!

“Stop! Harold, I’m warning you to stop. It’s not just Tina who’ll be responsible – you’ll pay a price too!”

That twisted flash of insight was finally caught.

Was Tina in danger?

No, both Tina and Harold were in danger.

If Harold did something to harm Tina, those people Zhang Jiadong had arranged would truly go berserk!

Whatever the Wilsons planned to do was happening today, right now!

“Stop! I’m warning you, I’m begging you!”

Silence filled the phone receiver. Maybe a few seconds passed, maybe two or three centuries, before Harold’s voice came through again:

“I’m at Wilson Hotel. I’m on the 24th floor. Tina should be on the 25th floor by now. Not just her – Cynthia is there too.”