Chapter 9: Under His Protection

The black SUV disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind nothing but unanswered questions.

Inside the Hutton mansion, everyone remained silent.

The atmosphere had become tense after discovering the threatening message.

Emerald looked toward the broken window of her bedroom.

For the first time since returning home, she no longer felt safe inside her own house.

"Miss Hutton," the detective said, "until we identify the suspect, we strongly recommend that you avoid staying alone."

"I understand," Emerald replied quietly.

Achilles folded his arms across his chest.

"She won't stay here tonight."

Richard looked at him.

"What are you suggesting?"

"She'll stay at my estate."

Emerald immediately shook her head.

"Absolutely not."

"Emerald..."

"No, Ace."

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm not moving into your house."

"This isn't about pride anymore," Achilles answered calmly.

"Someone broke into your room without triggering the alarms."

"Whoever they're working for isn't an amateur."

"You could be their next target."

"He's right," Richard admitted reluctantly.

"Dad?"

"Your safety comes first."

"But—"

"No arguments," Richard interrupted.

"Until this matter is resolved, you'll stay somewhere secure."

Emerald sighed heavily.

She hated feeling helpless.

After several moments of silence, she finally nodded.

"Fine."

"But only until the police catch whoever did this."

Achilles gave a small nod.

"That's all I'm asking."

An hour later, Emerald arrived at Valencian Estate.

The mansion was far larger than she remembered.

Tall iron gates, private security checkpoints, and surveillance cameras covered every entrance.

The estate looked more like a fortress than a home.

"Welcome back, Mr. Valencian," the staff greeted respectfully.

"Prepare the east wing," Achilles instructed.

"Miss Hutton will be staying there."

"Right away, sir."

Emerald looked around the luxurious entrance hall.

"You weren't kidding when you said security was tight."

"After my father's death, I stopped taking chances."

A middle-aged woman approached with a warm smile.

"Master Achilles."

"Mrs. Eleanor," Achilles smiled softly.

"This is Emerald."

The housekeeper's eyes widened.

"Little Rosebud?"

Emerald blinked in surprise.

"You remember me?"

"Of course I do."

"You used to steal cookies from my kitchen every weekend."

Emerald laughed for the first time that day.

"I was hungry."

"No," Eleanor chuckled.

"Master Achilles was the hungry one. You simply took the blame every time."

Emerald looked at Achilles.

"Seriously?"

He cleared his throat awkwardly.

"I was young."

"You were twenty," Eleanor corrected.

Everyone laughed.

For a brief moment, the heavy atmosphere disappeared.

Later that evening, Emerald settled into her guest room.

It overlooked a beautiful rose garden.

White roses covered nearly every corner.

She stepped onto the balcony.

"You kept growing them," she whispered.

A voice answered behind her.

"You once told me white roses represented new beginnings."

She turned around.

Achilles stood at the doorway holding two mugs of coffee.

"I wasn't sure if you still drank hot chocolate before bed."

Emerald smiled faintly.

"You remembered."

"I remember everything about you."

He handed her the mug.

They stood quietly beneath the stars.

"Ace," Emerald finally spoke.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Why didn't you ever get married?"

He looked at the garden before answering.

"Because the only woman I ever wanted disappeared."

Emerald's heartbeat quickened.

"Seven years is a long time to wait for someone."

"Not when she's worth waiting for."

She lowered her eyes.

"You shouldn't say things like that."

"Why?"

"Because I don't know whether to believe them."

"Then don't believe my words."

"Believe my actions."

Before Emerald could reply, Marcus hurried toward them.

"Sir."

"We found something."

"Already?" Achilles asked.

"Our team tracked the fake SUV to an abandoned warehouse near the old harbor."

"Any suspects?"

"The vehicle was empty."

"But we recovered a file."

"What kind of file?"

Marcus handed him a sealed envelope.

Achilles opened it carefully.

Inside were several photographs.

Emerald's face turned pale.

Every photo showed her.

Walking through New York.

Graduating from college.

Shopping with Beth.

Returning to Rose Hills.

Even today's charity gala.

Someone had been following her for years.

"This... this can't be real," Emerald whispered.

"It is," Achilles replied grimly.

"Whoever is after you has been watching you long before you came home."

Marcus turned over the final photograph.

Written on the back was another message.

"Protect her if you can."

"She still belongs to us."

The room fell into complete silence.

Achilles slowly closed his hand around the photographs.

His storm-grey eyes turned dangerously cold.

"They've made one mistake," he said.

"What's that?" Marcus asked.

"They threatened my Rosebud."

"Now... the hunt goes both ways."