"Chris, how about you just start with the important topic?"

    Annabelle, unable to bear the situation any longer, finally spoke up.

    She had been waiting for him to finish briefing Eva, then it was the lunch, and after that, one topic after another had been brought up, with the main one seemingly forgotten along with her presence.

    She couldn''t help but feel like the term "third wheel" was the perfect way to describe her current situation, and that thought only fueled her irritation.

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    "Sorry about that, I''ll start immediately," Christian said, noticing his sister''s change in mood and quickly apologizing.

    He then looked at both his sister and Eva, who were giving him their full attention, and continued.

    "... So, during these past few days, while dealing with two assassination attempts, compiling information about everything, and eavesdropping on Damian Slate..."

    He paused briefly, then added, "And on top of that, what I heard from Eva has only solidified the conclusion I''ve already arrived at."

    "We can''t continue like this... but then, what should we do?"

    "Sis is suggesting that we just run away, as with my current abilities, it couldn''t be any easier."

    Christian glanced at Eva, whose expression remained unchanged, seemingly unbothered by the suggestion, and continued, "But actually, if our goal is just safety, I already have another option."

    He paused, his voice becoming more serious.

    "And that is to solve the problem from its root."

    "Because on our side, we have his granddaughter, Olivia, who will be happier and more obedient to him with her mother free to be with the man she loves, her new father, me!"

    Hesitating, unsure about Olivia''s personality, Christian looked at Eva for confirmation as he added, "Right?"

    "Well, she''d be happy that I wouldn''t have to run, so, yes," Eva replied.

    Christian raised an eyebrow, feeling a slight irritation. ''So, you mean she won''t be happy that you''re with the one you love, me?''

    Not entirely satisfied with Eva''s response, which excluded him the "stepfather," he didn''t dwell on it, instead pushing past the thought. With the answer he wanted, he continued.

    "Anyway, most importantly, have we really done anything against Vincent Quinn himself? No, we haven''t. In fact, it''s the opposite, his son tried to kill me, but instead of retaliating, I forgave him with my big heart and came to his father. That would even make him feel he has more power, as despite my abilities, I''m not doing anything to his son because of my fear of him."

    "Well, that''s what he should think... but in no way do I have that kind of fear toward him."

    Saying that casually, Christian now finished with explaining this course of action... this choice, turned his attention to both of his listeners. He waited, eager to hear their opinions.

    Annabelle was still pondering over what Christian had said, completely ignoring the discussion about the nonsense father. She questioned whether it was truly necessary to go to such lengths when, suddenly, Eva by her side, spoke up.

    "Actually, while the idea itself seems acceptable, in the end, that''s all it is. You can''t trust that old man, even if he were to give you his word and promise something."

    Eva paused, her tone filled with uncertainty, but she continued, "Still, I think it might be worth a try. Like you said, we haven''t done anything that would bring a harm upon him, and the fact that Olivia is important to him, and to the Ashvale family, is also true."

    Eva voiced her thoughts in a questioning tone, still unsure if this choice was really the right one. She considered whether she should trust Christian''s judgment this time and keep her further doubts to herself. But, just as she was about to settle on that, Annabelle, who had been quietly listening, spoke.

    "Do we really need to be under the whim of someone like him?"

    It was a simple question, yet it seemed to contain everything Eva had been feeling. She, too, didn''t like leaving her fate in the hands of others, after all. She had done that for thirty-eight years already, so was there really a need to continue doing so now, especially when Christian, capable of so much more, was by her side?