Chapter 633
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Wilson hung up before his mother could get a word in. He hesitated for a moment, and then picked up his phone again to check his WhatsApp.
The chat history stopped two years ago. Wilson: [Heard you cut ties with the Saxon family. Congrats on breaking free from that overbearing extended family.]
The other party only replied: [Thanks.]
Wilson had been rebellious since childhood, often pulling disappearing acts-sometimes for a few days, sometimes for as long as a week.
Eventually, Gloria had had enough and sent him off to the military to toughen him up. He’d go off the grid for up to several months at a time, and his family’s initial worry gradually faded into numbness.
To this day, they still thought he was in grad school. Little did they know, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the organization right after undergrad.
This mission allowed more flexibility, so Wilson made an exception and brought his personal phone.
Realizing it had been ages since he last reached out to Aria, Wilson texted her: [Hey.]
Coyote knocked and stepped into Owen’s room. “Cap, three members of Arressto are staying at this hotel too.”
Owen asked, “How did you spot them?”
Coyote replied, “I’ve seen one of them.”
Owen thought, ‘Could Margery be in Torrenia too?’
Owen immediately grew alert. “Keep tabs on them, stay undercover, and find out their objective.”
Coyote said, “Copy that.”
Just as Owen was about to turn in for the night, his phone on the nightstand suddenly lit up.
Ever since he and Aria parted ways, Owen had been keeping her phone. If any messages came in, he’d reply for her.
When a new message popped up, Owen was momentarily stunned.
[Hey, I’m in Torrenia now. I’ll be back in a few months. Want anything from here?]
Owen checked the contact-Wilson Saxon.
Owen and Wilson had met during their military service. While they wouldn’t call each other close friends, their bond was certainly stronger than your average acquaintance.
He thought, ‘I thought Wilson was studying in Masmubia. What’s he doing in Torrenia all of a sudden?’
Owen: [What are you doing in Torrenia?]
Wilson replied instantly: [Just visiting.]
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Owen continued probing: [Alone?]
Wilson: [With friends. You’re unusually talkative today-even showing some concern. Come on, call me Brother.]
Owen scrolled up through the chat history, and a striking conversation caught his eye.
Wilson: [Heard you divorced Liam. That deadbeat wasn’t worth it anyway. Falling for men brings a lifetime of misery. Just have fun. Don’t get too attached.]
Aria: [Mm-hmm.]
Owen thought, ‘Madelyn didn’t talk a lot indeed.’”
Owen stopped scrolling through the chat history. He wasn’t sure how close Aria and Wilson actually were, but judging by Wilson’s blunt, teasing way of talking, their relationship was probably just fine.
Owen continued to probe: [Alright, Brother. Have you finished your master’s already?]
Wilson: [Who are you?]
A video call suddenly popped up, and Owen instinctively declined it.
Owen thought, ‘Wrong guess-Madelyn has never called Wilson that before!
Wilson persisted: [Why do you have Aria’s phone?]
[Where is she?]
The second video call request came through, and Owen answered.
“Owen?” Wilson looked shocked on the screen.
Owen noticed the wallpaper pattern behind Wilson-it was identical to the one in his own room.
He thought, ‘So Wilson really is a member of Arressto.
Owen said directly, “Tell me your room number. I’m coming over.”
Wilson froze. “Wait, you’re at this hotel too?”
Owen said, “Yeah.”
Wilson thought, ‘Aria’s phone is with Owen… so does that mean he’s with her right now?’
Wilson was dazed for a few seconds before finally telling Owen his room number.
Ten minutes later, Owen stepped into Wilson’s room and got straight to the point. “Aria’s at Flynt’s research facility.”
Wilson’s face contorted instantly. “What?!”
Owen gave Wilson a brief rundown of the situation.
Wilson was stunned. “She said she was going to blow up the lab, and you just agreed?”
Owen replied with unwavering certainty, “Yeah. She can get out on her own.”
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