Chapter 232 - 153: Growth

Paige never imagined Nadia’s situation would have anything to do with the Reid family.

Commandant Reid was none other than Sheldon Reid’s father. But he had passed away long ago, and the only one who could have inherited his position was undoubtedly his only son.

In other words, these people had probably been sent by Sheldon Reid’s father before, but now, they were being directed by Sheldon Reid himself.

’But why would he suddenly want Nadia dead? What’s the relationship between the Reid family and Nadia? Why are they so fixated on her? Is it for the virus research, or something else?’

She sorted through these thoughts and resumed her targeted questioning.

Unfortunately, while Erin Quinn’s superpower was incredibly useful, the man simply knew too little. All of his actions were just him following orders.

After questioning him over and over, Paige had only managed to answer a few of her questions.

For instance, her suspicions had been correct. They had indeed been acting on Commandant Reid’s orders before, but their mission wasn’t to kill Nadia—it was to capture her. Now, however, it was different. Sheldon Reid’s order was to kill Nadia, including the people around her!

As for the reason why, it was a shame, but the man truly didn’t seem to know.

Realizing this, Paige stopped. Seeing that Erin also looked tired, she reached for the writing board, wiped it clean, and gave her a nod to signal they were finished.

As the two of them left the room, Marcus Monroe, who had been waiting outside, came up to them. "How did it go?"

Paige nodded. "I’ll tell you the details in a bit. I’m going to take Erin home first."

"Alright."

Erin was reluctant to hear she had to go back already.

Paige explained as she led her toward the exit, "Andy’s injuries are severe, and with someone like this lurking in the shadows, we have to come up with a plan as soon as possible. Once this is all sorted out, I promise I’ll spend some proper time with you."

Erin’s eyes shifted. "Then can you take me back yourself? If there’s a stranger in the car, we won’t be able to talk."

"That works."

Knowing she probably had a million questions she wanted to ask, Paige agreed and had Liam head back first.

Naturally, Liam was against it, but Paige insisted. With Marcus unable to do anything, he had to agree. However, he only felt slightly more at ease after making Sweetie squeeze into the car with them.

As the car started, Erin said sourly, "Why is that poker-faced guy so concerned about you? Is he trying to court you?"

With her mind full of Nadia and the Reid family, Paige answered offhandedly, "Yeah, I’ve decided to give things a try with him."

"What?!" Erin exclaimed. "What’s so good about him? Why would you agree to that?!"

Paige snapped out of her thoughts, glanced at Erin, and calmly retorted, "What’s not to like?"

Erin was indignant. "Have you forgotten? Back when we went to Glimmerlake Base together, that guy suspected you!"

Paige corrected her, "It wasn’t him, it was one of his squad members. And he didn’t suspect me, he suspected you."

"But you’re my big sister! Suspecting me is the same as suspecting you, isn’t it? And don’t his squad members represent his views?"

Paige denied it flatly. "No, and no, it doesn’t." After a pause, she added, "Didn’t you say you were a grown-up now? Can’t you try to think a little more maturely? If you keep acting like this, I’ll have no choice but to treat you like a child."

Erin pouted. She knew she wasn’t being fair, but she really disliked that poker-faced guy! And the thought of someone else getting closer to Paige made her feel anxious and uncomfortable deep down.

After thinking for a moment, she suddenly had an idea. "He can’t be as good as my senior brother, Sean. You probably don’t know this, but Sean has liked you for a long time. He seems so capable, but he’s actually a real coward when it comes to romance. He’s afraid you’ll reject him, so he’s never dared to confess! But he’s secretly gone to see you several times, and he even went to your shop hoping for a ’chance encounter,’ though he never managed to see you... He’s a really good person. You should consider him instead, okay?"

Erin felt a little guilty as she said this.

Sean Raines was indeed quite taken with Paige and had tried to arrange a "chance encounter." But he was a notorious womanizer and was never short of female company. His feelings for Paige were more a mix of admiration and respect. If their relationship were to develop, his infatuation might have blossomed into genuine affection. But at present, it was nowhere near the level Erin was describing.

But, after Paige and her own master, Sean was the closest person to her. Erin figured that if Paige got together with him, her own sense of loss might not feel so acute.

This little ploy was so transparent that Paige saw right through it and didn’t take her words seriously at all.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel displeased.

’Insecurity is understandable, but there has to be a line. Once it’s crossed, it’s easy to go to extremes.’

She glanced at Erin and didn’t speak for a long time.

In the silence, an indescribable pressure filled the car, and Erin’s head drooped lower and lower.

They had already passed the Second District and were about to arrive at the Taoist Association.

A sense of panic rose in her heart. She didn’t want to part with Paige on bad terms. After mustering her courage, she asked haltingly, "Boss Young... is Boss Young really going to be okay?"

"Yes. He’s injured, but his life isn’t in danger." Paige glanced at her and said pointedly, "I’ve been waiting for you to ask that."

Erin’s face instantly flushed red. She stammered, "I’m sorry..."

’She really had been too selfish, only thinking about her own petty concerns while forgetting the danger Paige and Levi Young were in. She knew perfectly well that someone was hunting them and the girl with them, yet all she could worry about was Paige ignoring her and no longer being close to her anymore.’

Just then, they arrived.

They both got out of the car. Before sending Erin on her way, Paige patted her on the head and said seriously, "If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have come to you for this. I’ll remember what you said—that you’ll come find me after you’ve completed your training. So, I will wait for you. You have to show me the same trust, or else..."

Erin quickly cut her off. "I know! I will. There’s no need for an ’or else’."

Paige nodded. "I trust you. Go on. Once this is all over and it’s safe, I’ll come see you again. Until then, take good care of yourself."

"Mm."

Paige stood at the entrance, watching Erin’s figure recede into the distance. She smiled and shook her head. ’Such childish concerns. But I’m sure she’ll get much better in the time to come. At least she’s safe enough here. All that’s left is for her to slowly grow up.’

When she got back to Marcus’s place, she quickly filled him in on what she had learned.

"...So you’re saying Sheldon Reid’s father wanted to take Nadia for research on the Antidote? But according to Nadia, while she was interested in her mother’s research from a young age and even tried a few experiments on her own, no one else knew about it. Her mother specifically warned her not to tell anyone, as if she didn’t want her to follow in her footsteps. The idea that they’re after her mother’s research notes seems even less likely. Judging by the skills of those Superpower Users, it wouldn’t have been hard to get the notes from Nadia—at least, it would have been a lot easier than capturing a whole person, right? And then there’s Sheldon Reid. Why did he change his father’s orders and insist on having Nadia killed?"

Marcus nodded, deep in thought.

His gut told him this had nothing to do with research notes or anything of the sort. There had to be another reason.

But what that reason was, he couldn’t begin to guess.

"Looks like we’ll need to talk to one more person if we want to get to the bottom of this."

"Oh? And who would that be?"

"Commandant Reid’s former adjutant. Milton Faraday’s father, Ryan Faraday!"