Chapter 666: Arrogance Stripped Away
Chapter 666: Arrogance Stripped Away
I glanced at Daisy as she moved with calm efficiency, securing the suite like a trained operative. Her movements were precise and purposeful—no wasted energy, every step calculated.She’s working like a professional soldier, I thought. It made sense; anyone trusted as a driver at the White House level would have to be prepared for anything, constantly ready to shift from chauffeur to protector in the blink of an eye.
Daisy pulled out her phone and tried making a call, her brow furrowed in concentration. After a few failed attempts, she turned to me, her expression serious.
"They’re using a network jammer. There’s no signal at all—no calls, no internet. We’re completely cut off from the team. We’re on our own for now."
I nodded grimly. Daisy reached under her jacket and drew a compact handgun, checking the magazine with practiced hands.
At the same time, I mentally accessed my system storage and materialized my own concealed pistol, feeling its familiar weight settle in my grip. The cold metal was reassuring in the tense atmosphere.
Looking at both Madeline and Daisy—Madeline still visibly shaken and Daisy alert but on edge—I felt a dark, opportunistic amusement rise within me.
This is actually a good time to seduce both Madeline and Daisy, I chuckled inwardly. The vulnerability in the air, the adrenaline, the close quarters... it created the perfect storm for shifting their emotions in my favor.
"There is no need to panic," I said calmly, taking charge. "First, close all the doors and windows and draw the curtains. We don’t want any silhouettes visible from outside."
Daisy instantly followed my orders without hesitation. She moved swiftly through the luxurious presidential suite, sealing every entrance, sliding heavy drapes across the floor-to-ceiling windows, and dimming the lights to a soft, intimate glow. Once finished, she returned to my side, awaiting further instructions.
Madeline, still in shock, stepped forward and grabbed my arm tightly, her fingers digging into my sleeve. Her voice was shaky as she asked, "Who are those people... what do they want from me?"
I shook my head, placing a reassuring hand over hers. "We don’t know yet. But it’s clear their target is you, Ma’am. That was a professional assassination attempt."
"Normally, once an attempt fails, they would withdraw," I continued, "but I don’t think they’re giving up so easily. They might still be hunting us."
Madeline’s eyes widened with fear. "So... what should we do?"
I looked at her steadily and asked the critical question, "Ma’am, can you tell us who knew about today’s schedule and our exact route? Did you tell anyone where we were going? Those snipers were already in position, which means someone who knew our plans must have leaked the information."
Madeline thought for a moment, her face pale. "It was Ruby who called me. She said they were having a party and invited me to join, so I agreed. That’s all."
She looked up at me anxiously. "So... was it Ruby who ordered the assassination?"
I shook my head. "There are many possibilities. It could be Ruby, or someone close to her, or even an outsider. We can’t jump to conclusions."
Madeline insisted, "Only Ruby knew about it. I didn’t tell anyone else where we were going."
"It could also be someone on Ruby’s side who overheard, or perhaps your phone was hacked, and the conversation was listened to," I reasoned. "We can’t be sure right now. Our priority is to contact the team and call for backup."
Both Madeline and Daisy nodded in agreement, absorbing my words.
Daisy looked at me and asked, "So, should we just wait here?"
"Yeah," I replied. "For now, we stay put. If we don’t reach out to Mrs. Ruby’s side in time, eventually, someone will try to contact Madam. The security team will notice our silence. Plus, we smashed that store with the car. They must have called the police by now. We’re probably all over the shop’s CCTV footage. Help will come looking for us soon."
Daisy stared at me in genuine surprise, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "So you had already planned all this out..."
Madeline suddenly hugged my arm tighter, pressing herself against me. Her voice was soft and grateful as she whispered, "Thank you, Dexter... for saving my life."
I offered her a small, reassuring smile. "I was just doing my duty, Ma’am."
While they processed everything, I walked through the suite to check the full layout. The main entrance opened into a spacious, elegantly furnished living room with sofas, a large TV, and a mini-bar. At the far end was a single luxurious bedroom with an attached bathroom—perfect for securing Madeline.
I gently guided Madeline toward the bedroom. "Ma’am, you should stay here and rest. Daisy and I will keep watch outside."
But Madeline grabbed my hand desperately, her eyes pleading. "No... You stay here with me."
I met her vulnerable gaze, those usually sharp eyes now filled with fear and dependence. Before I could respond, Daisy spoke up from behind us. "I’ll keep an eye on the outside. You should stay with Ma’am, Dexter. She needs you right now."
I turned to Daisy, gripping her arm firmly but gently, locking eyes with her. "Daisy... if anyone comes through that main door, don’t confront them head-on. Fall back into the bedroom safely, understand? Prioritize your own safety first."
"And if you notice anything unusual—any sound, movement, anything at all—notify me immediately."
Daisy held my gaze steadily, a spark of something deeper—mutual respect mixed with unspoken attraction—passing between us, before she nodded firmly. "Understood."
I gently guided Madeline into the luxurious bedroom and closed the heavy door behind us with a soft click, sealing us in relative privacy. The room was opulent: a massive king-sized bed with silk sheets, soft ambient lighting from crystal wall sconces, and a large window overlooking the glittering city skyline, now safely obscured by thick curtains.
Madeline sat on the edge of the bed, looking completely lost. Her usual commanding presence had crumbled, leaving her staring blankly at the floor, shoulders slumped and hands trembling slightly in her lap. I moved to the mini-bar in the corner, poured a glass of cool water, and handed it to her.
"Here, drink this," I said gently.
She took the glass with both hands and drank it in one desperate go, some water spilling down her chin. I sat beside her on the bed and spoke in a low, comforting tone, "Don’t be afraid. Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise. I’m right here."
The moment she set the empty glass on the nightstand, Madeline surged forward and hugged me tightly, wrapping her arms around my waist and burying her face against my chest. "Don’t... go..." she whispered desperately, her voice muffled against my shirt.
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