World's Best Protagonist [BL]

Joseph Armand’s eyes glinted behind his glasses. He observed me, watching my reaction, any subtle change in my position, or even my breathing.

I didn’t lie, and he must have seen that truth when he leaned back on his seat and nodded once. Then, he spoke again. This time, his voice wasn’t accusing but simply inquiring.

"Men reportedly broke into your house during that time. They ransacked the whole place looking for something. We believe it was the remnants of your father’s organization. Did you know about it?"

I nodded.

"And you still didn’t meet them? Did you lie?"

"No. I was...resting somewhere else."

"And where exactly is that?"

"...Captain Vanderheinz’s Sanctum," I asnwered, my face blank.

The silence stretched unexpectedly.

I blew my cheeks in boredom while my eyes roamed the room. I locked eyes with some of the bodyguards, studied them, and after getting bored again, I settled on measuring the size of the tiles on the floor.

Then, after what felt like an eternity had passed, Joseph finally broke the silence with a small chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. Meanwhile, dangerous interest flickered in the eyes of Layla Mio and General Rivas.

They’re not directly in charge of the Outworlders, but I’m certain they know about them.

Is that surprising to hear Claude let someone rest in his Sanctum? How about that rich girl claiming herself as the captain’s former exclusive Minder?

"Well, that explains why you were out of reach for two days. You should have told us sooner that you were with him. This meeting would have finished quicker."

I raised my brow. What the hell did he mean by that? However, Joseph only pulled his eyeglasses down a bit and winked at me.

O...kay. What was that for? I shivered.

General Rivas was still reluctant to let me go. If the man behind him had not bent forward and whispered something against his ears, he wouldn’t have even stood from his chair and taken the initiative to leave.

Exec. Sec. Mio stood next, gathering the papers on the table and passing them to her assistant. Then, as she walked out, she stopped before me and said, "Those self-proclaimed overlords will bring this country into its demise. In the future, I hope that you will stay on the right side."

After that, she left. I never got to answer her—I’ll never walk that crooked way. Not because I am my father’s son, I am expected to walk in the same path. That’s not gonna happen.

I stood once the last chamber, Joseph Armand had exited the door. I followed, thinking I was left alone, but my heart jumped when a figure suddenly appeared in the corner of my eye, just as I stepped out of the door.

"Oh, shi—Mr. Armand, did you forget something?"

I touched my chest, patted it gently as I waited for an answer. Joseph held my gaze a second longer, his polite smile still plastered on his face.

"No. I waited for you," he answered lightly, smiling.

Hm? Looking closer at him, he resembles someone I know. My forehead creased while I tried to pull the name of that person hanging at the end of my tongue.

He’s taller. Much older than me. Probably in his 30s. His black hair has a bluish sheen like Allen...

"Mr. Armand, do you have a younger brother?" I couldn’t help but ask. It’s just a hunch.

Wait. It’s not right. I just called his last name, didn’t I? Allen has Jose.

"What made you ask?" He motioned for me to continue walking, so I did. His two bodyguards walked a few steps behind.

What am I doing walking with one of the 12 Chambers? "You just remind me of someone."

Joseph briefly glanced at me, his brows raised a little bit. "Oh, then you must be referring to my younger brother, indeed."

"Allen?"

"Yeah. You guessed right at first take. Are you and my brother close?" His tone was full of interest.

"We’re on the same team," I replied vaguely. Am I close to Allen? Well, sometimes we are, sometimes we’re not. "But how come your last name is different?"

Joseph chuckled. We stopped and waited for the elevator to open. "Don’t you think Joseph Jose sounds a bit funny? I used our mother’s last name, that’s why. Is Allen doing okay these days?"

"Why are you asking me that? Isn’t he your brother?"

The door opened. We walked in and stood behind the two big men following Allen’s billionaire brother. Their family is really rich, huh. Allen never gave off that condescending and know-it-all attitude rich kids have these days. And I admired him for that.

I politely asked them to press the floor where my team’s quarter is.

Joseph clicked his tongue. "He went home a bit irritated yesterday, I was told. That kid doesn’t get annoyed easily, so I couldn’t help but wonder what made him throw a fit. Any idea?"

Like I would know? What is this guy thinking? And what’s this? We’ve only met a several minutes ago, but he’s already too comfortable with me. Is this the power of a billionaire entrepreneur? Woah.

"None."

"That’s too bad. I thought I might get an answer after meeting you. I guess I’m wrong."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"I mean, I might have known you more than you think."

I grimaced. Yeah. I forgot who he is. "From Dr. Juris’s reports?"

Joseph smiled mysteriously. "Hm, that. And from somewhere else."

"Where?"

The elevator sounded. The door opened again, and I was surprised to see I was on the basement parking level 2 already. I turned to him and accused his guards of not pressing my floor number.

Damn, he just laugh it off. I can’t curse at him because he’s one of the bosses, but more importantly, he’s also Allen’s brother.

The guy stepped out of the box and slightly turned to me, giving me a teasing look. "My brother’s tales."

I ignored him and just pressed the close button. As the door slowly closed, he said one last sentence that kept me on edge.

"The 1st Chamber has its eyes on you. Be careful from now on, Jade."

Another pair of eyes focused on me, huh. Lots of attention I gain unwantedly these past few days. Makes me think its better to just stay inside the World Tree’s belly.

I arrived on the floor in a few minutes. As I head to the team’s quarter, I see Allen leaning on the wall in the hallway. I recalled what his brother said, and now I couldn’t help but wonder what tales of me Allen tells his brother.