Even though those operatives couldn't reach Claire's parents at the moment.
They could easily deduce that her parents were stationed in a highly classified government facility.
What if they threatened the authorities, demanding they hand over Claire's parents as a ransom?
The government would be forced into an absolutely impossible position.
If they kept Melissa and Agassi in the dark and something happened to Claire, the couple would inevitably develop a massive, irreparable rift with the authorities once they found out. In a fit of devastated rage, they might even do something unforgivable for their daughter's sake.
Even if they didn't resort to extremes, losing their only child would completely shatter their focus on their vital work.
Neither scenario was something Padgett ever wanted to witness.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. Setting aside the fact that I have my own security detail, given the current volatile situation, the authorities are definitely sending elite agents to protect me from the shadows."
Claire possessed absolute, unshakeable faith in the government's capabilities.
Silas Carl's recent tactical operation had been highly effective and brutally decisive, leaving no loose ends.
Though she hadn't pried into the aftermath, Silas had still made a point to relay the successful results to her through Dane.
He was clearly a man of honor, someone genuinely worth befriending.
Of course, Silas might just be doing it out of deep respect for Tilda.
Regardless, she felt her safety was completely, unquestionably guaranteed.
"Haven't you assigned elite bodyguards to me as well, Grandpa?"
What she didn't mention was that Dane had also arranged his own private security force for her.
Her current protective detail was practically a small army.
However, they all operated stealthily in the shadows, ensuring they didn't disrupt Claire's daily life.
The old man let out a heavy sigh. "No matter how many bodyguards you have, they aren't always foolproof when a real crisis hits."
"Your mother had top-tier bodyguards assigned to her back then, yet she still vanished into thin air without a single trace."
Claire echoed his exhausted sigh. "You're losing faith in the higher-ups, aren't you?"
When his beloved daughter first went missing, Padgett had certainly interrogated everyone he could. What kind of answer had the authorities actually given him?
Perhaps they claimed total ignorance, but subtly hinted he should call off his relentless search.
But his perfectly healthy daughter had simply disappeared, only to be viciously branded by outsiders as a runaway bride who had eloped with some nobody.
How could Padgett possibly be at peace with that?
Even after finally learning his daughter was alive and working in a classified unit, his deep resentment hadn't faded.
She was wasting the absolute best years of her life locked away in some sterile facility.
What was the point of his unimaginable wealth if his most precious daughter couldn't enjoy a single cent of it?
Padgett harbored a deep-seated, simmering bitterness toward that damn classified unit.
Thinking of Claire's chosen major, he immediately praised her. "Thank goodness that even though you inherited your mother's brilliant
mathematical mind you did net
follow her down the exact same suffocating path."
If Claire had studied math too, Padgett would have been a nervous wreck, and he
might have outright forbidden her from attending classes!
But she had returned to the Churchill
family only after she was grown. Even if he desperately wanted to stop her, he had to weigh the enormous risk of damaging them fragile relationship. Content belong's
So, the old man was incredibly, profoundly relieved.
Claire had carved out a different path entirely, significantly lowering the deadly risks surrounding her.
She understood exactly what he was getting at.
She just thought he was being overly paranoid, jumping at every shadow.
"Don't overthink it, Grandpa. We'll take things one step at a time."
"Who knows? Maybe my parents will finally come back one day."
What else could Padgett say? He waved a dismissive hand. "I pray that day comes too."
"Alright, Claire, hurry up and go to sleep. I need to get some rest as well."
He patted his legs and slowly stood up. "I'm getting old. It's time for an early bedtime."
If he didn't sleep now, he genuinely worried his aging body couldn't handle the strain.
Seeing his youthful, stubborn spirit,
Claire smiled warmly. "You're not old at all. My cousins aren't even
marned yet and you haven't held your great-grandchildren.
At the mere mention of that, the old man suddenly wasn't tired anymore.
"You're absolutely right about that. I just don't know when those three boys are ever going to finally settle down."