Chapter 181: First Twelve Hours-2
Nicholas stiffened. “What do you mean they’re on their way here?”
Harper rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. “Duh. Exactly what I said. Context clues, Ashcroft. Try them.”
“You-”
“Whatever,” she cut in, waving him off like an inconvenience. Her tone shifted, sharper now. “Volkov has eyes everywhere-especially on both of you.”
Her gaze flicked briefly to Damien, then snapped back to Nicholas.
“That’s why they’re already en route,” she continued. “And they’re bringing four masks.”
Max, Nicholas’s head of security, straightened and stepped forward. “Four?”
Harper nodded once. “Yep.” She tapped again, and the display shifted-schematics layering over the images. “I made masks for them too. Hudson and Cruz will wear yours.”
A beat.
“And you two?” She pointed lazily at the screen. “You’ll wear theirs.”
A murmur rippled through the room.
“They’ll meet you at Blackwood Enterprises tomorrow morning,” Harper continued, unfazed.” Monroe will intercept them in the lobby-new security recruits, clean files, spotless credentials.
Nothing suspicious.”
She leaned back, lips curving. “Easy part.”
Her tone sharpened.
“But when you walk out of that building? You won’t be Damien Blackwood and Nicholas Ashcroft anymore.” She pointed again, this time at Hudson and Cruz’s images. “They will.”
Harper leaned closer to the camera, expression suddenly serious. “They know the protocol. They’re solid. This part”-her finger jabbed toward the screen-“is for you two.”
“Once the masks are on, you do not remove them until you’re inside a secured, private space. Your
home. Your room. Somewhere you’re absolutely certain is clean.”
She didn’t blink. “If we want Volkov to have zero reason to doubt anything, consistency is
everything. Tomorrow is a test run.”
#00
16
O
Г
hapter 181 First Twelve Hours 2
Then she sighed. “Oh-and here’s the catch.”
The screen flickered, pulling up a simplified mask schematic.
+25 Points
“Their masks don’t have all the bells and whistles. No voice modulation. No micro-expression sync. “She shrugged. “So don’t talk. At all. Unless it’s absolutely necessary-and if it is, change your
voice.”
Nicholas frowned. “What? Why take that risk?”
Harper groaned. “Ugh-so annoying.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Because it’s freaking expensive!”
She stabbed a finger at the schematic. “The materials alone cost ten million per mask. The identity chip? Triple that. I already dropped almost a hundred million on all four.”
She leaned back, arms crossed. “My bank account is already crying, okay? Besides, you don’t need the upgrades. You’ll be posing as security. You’re not supposed to talk. Or be interesting.”
Nicholas scoffed. “I didn’t realize you were short on money. Send me your account details-I’ll make it very happy.”
Harper recoiled like he’d offered her poison. “Absolutely not.” She flicked her hand dismissively.” Don’t get me wrong, I love money. I just don’t want yours.”
“Told you, Aunt Alice,” Jaime said, a sly smirk tugging at his lips.
Alice merely hummed, a quiet mmhmm, her expression saying she’d known all along.
Ashcroft opened his mouth, ready with something sharp-then realized there was nothing he could
say that wouldn’t make it worse.
Harper narrowed her eyes at the screen. “Told her what?”
Jaime shrugged, pure innocence. “Oh, nothing.”
Harper exhaled once, re-centering. “Anyway-back to the plan.”
She tapped the screen, and the visuals shifted again.
“Make sure everything on your end is ready-Jaime’s medical team, the records, all of it. In two days, everyone flying in for Jaime’s operation leaves with Mom.”
She let that sit.
“Everyone-except Damien and Ashcroft.”
Damien’s head snapped up. “What? No.” He pushed back from the table, agitation sharp in every
16
111
O
r
Chapter 181 First Twelve Hours 2
movement. “I’m not staying behind. I’m flying with them. I need to be there-”
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.