Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

Una left, Dexter handed the menu to Violette as if nothing had happened.

Violette was shocked when she looked at the menu. ’Have you guys become rich? You’ve already sold Black Group, and a set of steak here costs over a hundred dollars-"

Looking at her, I explained seriously, "He only sold off the shares of Black Group, meaning that there’s only money left now. He now has nothing but money.

Violette belatedly hummed a response and looked at Dexter excitedly. "I won’t hold myself back, then!"

"It’s not that I have nothing. I still have you," he corrected me seriously.

Violette pursed her lips and mumbled, "Why are you being lovey-dovey in front of me now?"

"You have Xan and me too!" Ashton raised his hand to indicate that the two of them wanted to be included too.

Iflashed Dexter a smile. "You’re right. It’s not that you have nothing."

We had the whole world from the moment we met.

"I’ll excuse myself to the bathroom." Dexter squeezed my hand before getting up to head to the bathroom.

I heard his phone vibrating earlier. He must have gone out to the bathroom to pick up the call.

It probably wasn’t just my imagination-Dexter seemed to be hiding something from me recently.

I said, "Look after Xan, Ashton. I’ll head over to the bathroom as well."

Violette stopped eating her appetizer and looked up blankly at me. "Why are the both of you going to the bathroom..."

She stopped probing upon seeing something was off from my expression.

Dexter did not enter the bathroom but was taking the call behind the partition. I couldn’t make out what the other person was saying, yet Dexter was just listening.

I walked over and hugged him from the back. He neither resisted nor avoided me, probably realizing my presence a while back.

"Alright, let’s leave it at that for now." Dexter ended the call before turning to look at me.

"Who’s that?" I asked

"It’s Dayton." He wasn’t trying to hide it from me. I could clearly hear Dayton’s voice on the phone.

"Why was he looking for you?’ I was curious. Dexter wouldn’t be hiding things from me if there wasn’t anything special.

Besides, Genome Society was almost certain that Dayton was the president of Crowdstar Group now. That meant the actual mastermind behind them might meet up with him.

As long as Dayton met up with that person, our investigation would go on much smoother.

It was absolutely unacceptable for something that violated human ethics like genome editing to be used for personal gain. It wouldn’t be a surprise for many to be curious about who the mastermind was when they had orchestrated such a huge ploy.

"Those from Genome Society have found him, but they’re very alert. Dayton has yet to meet the mastermind as well," Dexter said, seemingly a little disappointed.

I carefully studied his face to see if he was lying or hiding something from me. "Has he really not met the mastermind?"

Dexter nodded. "I would definitely tell you if he had met up with them."

"I have a feeling that the mastermind of Genome Society is someone close to us, or at least someone we all know. Why would they go to such lengths to remain mysterious otherwise?" I mumbled.

"Oh right, Jimmy must have gained the favor of the mastermind of Genome Society to be able to get the management position of the laboratory in the desolate area. Has he met that person before, then?" I asked. Jimmy would surely know.

"Do you think that sly fox would tell us the truth?" Dexter fumed at the mention of Jimmy. He was probably regretting not beating him enough back in the desolate area before this.

He continued, "He claimed that he hadn’t met them directly. They only communicated through an Al virtual figure before he took over. But who knows whether he had actually met them?

I felt upset as well. Jimmy was truly an untrustworthy person.

"Let’s stop thinking about it now. We’re here to have dinner with the kids," I comforted Dexter while hugging him.

"It might not be a bad thing not to know who the mastermind is for now. At least we’re safe for now. Just let the police handle it," I whispered, leaning into his embrace.

Dexter’s heart was racing, far from its usual steady rhythm.

To be honest, it was hard for him to hide things from me as I could always sense when things were off. If he refused to tell me what he was hiding from me, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get it out from him by asking. "Alright, let’s head back to dinner. Dexter took my hand and brought me back to our table.

Violette and the kids were busy eating. She gave us a disdainful look upon seeing us return hand in hand. " What a show-off!"

"There was this pretty young woman when we went to the desolate area this time. She was so pitiful and delicate, and Zion was really taken with her. She was abducted by some bad guys. Otherwise, Zion would’ve returned by now," I said, giving Violette a sly look.

She looked alarmed and immediately took out her phone to text Zion.

Violette’s subconscious actions and subtle expressions were hard to hide, showing that she truly cared for him. At least, her feelings for him were genuine.

Somehow, I felt relieved and took a bite of fruit, trying not to laugh. I’m just joking. Zion is as straight-laced as they come-stubborn and only cares about serving justice."

Zion nodded smugly. "That’s true."

"So, where are you two at with your relationship? He’s not getting any younger. Has he said anything about getting engaged or married?" I asked.

"My mother... opposes it." Violette looked down, seemingly unhappy.

"She’s just too controlling! She insists that I get married to a wealthy man. Funny how she’s not seeing me at my worth," she said sarcastically, clearly unhappy.

I had heard Violette talking about her extremely controlling mother countless times. Back in high school, I felt sorry for her having to endure the pressure coming from her mother

But I had never seen this mother of hers before.

"Your mother doesn’t approve of Zion?" I looked at Violette in shock. "What kind of man is she looking for, then?

She discreetly eyed Dexter before telling me with a mysterious smile, "She wants me to find a wealthy man like Dexter.’

I parted my lips, glancing over at Dexter before saying, "He’s not an option-he’s taken.’

Violette was amused by my reaction. "Don’t worry, I have principles. I won’t steal my bestie’s man.’

I smiled at her, asking, ’What will you do, then? You’re already an adult. You can’t always listen to her. Zion is a great guy. Although his family isn’t well-off, he’s a man of integrity."

Violette contemplated for a moment before shaking her head. ’I’m rebelling, but it’s going to take some time. Just wait for my good news,’ she said softly. I could tell that she had a lot on her mind.

I had been suspecting that there was something wrong with her for quite some time now, yet I couldn’t pinpoint any issues.

Perhaps I was too reluctant to lose her as a friend.

Besides, every time Violette spoke about her family and mother, I felt like she wasn’t just referring to her" mother’ alone.

She said that she was rebelling-was it against gynecocracy, or was there something more she was hinting at? "How about I come over for a meal one day to meet your mother?’ I suggested tentatively.

Violette was horrified. "Don’t! You’ll be walking right into a trap!"

Upon seeing my silence, she said again, ’My mother is the type who can’t stand seeing others do well."

I Nodded and replied, "Alright then. We’ll have the chance to meet someday."

Violette nodded and mumbled, "Hopefully, you’ll never get to meet her. I hope she dies soon..."

I looked at her, clearly taken aback. She instantly put on a smiling face and changed the topic. "The steak bites

with truffle butter are delicious-as expected of a delicacy that’s worth over a hundred dollars!"