Chapter 184: Of Frogs and Fate-1
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Eleanor’s praise hung in the air. No one questioned it-nods and faint smiles said all that needed
saying.
The challenge, though, was another matter. It hadn’t gone unnoticed. It drew quieter reactions- nothing overt, just a faint shift of attention, a shared awareness among those who already knew
how things stood… and how stubbornly certain people continued to pretend otherwise.
On the screen, the usual spark of sarcastic defiance in Harper’s eyes flickered and died, replaced
by a rare, stunned stillness. A soft, flustered heat climbed her neck.”Ah-wow. Thank you,
Grandma Eleanor,” Harper said, forcing a bright smile that came out just a little crooked.
She laughed once-too quick, too loud. “I-uh-I’ll definitely keep that in mind.”
Then, with a shrug that tried-and failed-to look casual, she added under her breath, as if only she
could hear it, “Guess I’ll have to start kissing frogs and… hope one of them actually turns into Prince Charming.”Jaime chimed in, eyes bright with unmistakable mischief. “Or maybe the frog’s
already right in front of you,” he said thoughtfully. “You just haven’t kissed it enough for the magic
to work yet.”
Dominic barked out a laugh. “Ha! That’s a good one, son!”
Ashcroft stiffened. His jaw tightened as his gaze flicked to Harper before he forced it away, fixing on nothing. The tips of his ears betrayed him, faintly red as if the room had grown warmer.
Maya immediately elbowed Jaime, her whisper sharp and weighted. “Jaime! Stop it.”
Jaime blinked up at her, all wide-eyed innocence. “What?” He lifted a shoulder in a small shrug. “I’m
just stating the facts.”
Then he turned, looking straight at Eleanor. “Right, Grandma?”
Eleanor acknowledged with a simple nod. Then, slowly, the corner of her mouth curved.
“The young,” she said mildly, her eyes never leaving the table, “have a way of noticing truths adults work very hard to ignore.”
Eleanor’s eyes, still calm, swept across the table. “All amusement aside,” she said, her voice quiet but firm, “we have a plan to finalize.”
The laughter and teasing faded. Every eye in the room turned to her, waiting.
“No matter how seamless a plan may seem, only fools believe in foolproof ones. We know how Volkov moves-he doesn’t just play to win; he plays to break the rules. “NNShe leaned back slightly,
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& Dapter 184 Of Frogs and Fate 1
the light from the screen reflecting in her steady eyes.
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“Confidence is a luxury we cannot afford,” she said, her voice dropping into a register that commanded absolute silence. “We have forty-eight hours. Do not waste a single second of them.”
She let the ticking clock hang in the air for a heartbeat before continuing. “Ensure every gear is greased and every shadow accounted for before the departure date. We don’t hope for the best- we prepare for the worst.”
Dahlia nodded, her expression a mirror of the matriarch’s chilled resolve.
“Dominic will stay behind,” she said, her voice sharp and unquestionable. She didn’t look to her
husband for approval-she simply stated the tactical reality.
“He’ll secure the perimeter here. I’m going with Alice and the rest. Lee and Kim join our detail, and
we’ll stay with Jamie during his recovery while the others return.”
She paused, a calculated stillness settling over her. “My absence will not raise any alerts. As far as
the world is concerned, I am still traveling the globe for my philanthropy efforts-attending galas,
chairing charities, and following leads in the search for Malia. My digital footprint is already being
managed. To anyone watching, I never stopped moving.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. The cover story was flawless-the world expected
nothing less from Dahlia Moretti Blackwood: a restless socialite driven by unwavering love, fierce
loyalty, and a haunting desperation to find her best friend. Her pain was the perfect camouflage.
She looked at her son, her eyes softening only slightly. “Monroe and James must go where Damien
goes-which means they won’t set foot in Japan. That’s non-negotiable, and it’s exactly what
Volkov expects to see.”
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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.