?Chapter 365:


    Just as Ethan thought they had finally shaken off the Ward family’s pursuit, more cars appeared, their attack even more relentless and aggressive. Bullets pounded the rear window, nearly shattering it.


    “Step on it!” Ethan barked at the driver, urgency ringing in his voice.


    Digging into his bag, he pulled out two grenades. With steady hands, he yanked the pins, counted to three under his breath, and lobbed them through a narrow opening in the door.


    The explosions rocked the air as two pursuing pickup trucks were blown up.


    Atst, Ethan was out of danger.


    The tension in the car dissolved as everyone exhaled in relief. But Ethan couldn’t shake a nagging feeling of unease—the bodyguards he had brought with him were all dead.


    Brenna had been swamped with work for an entire week, yet she had only managed toplete a fraction of the intricate designs for thousands ofponents. Designing a fighter jet was no easy task. It demanded relentless focus, precision, and two months of nonstop effort from her and her team.


    Amid her busy schedule, she hadn’t even realized that Ethan hadn’t contacted her for over a week.


    After a long day, she returned home to find Giselle alone. The three men of the Harper family hadn’te back yet.


    With a bright smile, Giselle pulled Brenna toward the dining table. “Are you hungry? You’ve been working harder than your dad and brothers—leaving early anding homete. You don’t need to earn money for our family. Take a break and enjoy yourself at home.”


    Brenna was indeed tired and hungry. She sat down and immediately began to eat.


    “Mom, this is delicious,” Brenna remarked.


    Giselle smiled, clearly pleased, the bracelet Brenna had gifted her glinting under the light. “Next Wednesday is your birthday—the first one since you came home. I was thinking of celebrating it at home. We’ll keep it small, just family and a few close friends. How does that sound?”


    ???????? ???? ???????????????? ???????? ?g???????ν?????????????


    Brenna wasn’t one for extravagant celebrations, so she readily agreed. “I’ll invite my friend Ellie, Patrick’s mom. She is a well-known fashion designer and the founder of the M&G brand. I’ll also ask my studio partners toe. It will be a lively gathering.”


    Giselle nodded, then casually added, “I’ve noticed you don’t have many friends. In the future, try to make a few more. Don’t just bury yourself in work.”


    Brenna shot her mother a casual nce. “One true friend is all I need, Mom. I haven’t seen you surrounded by many friends, either.”


    Giselle shrugged. “I had plenty of friends when I was young, but as we grow older, everyone gets caught up in their own families and we drift apart. But you’re right. I’ll invite a few of my friends so they can meet my daughter. They all work in government, and their kids are doing well. You should get to know them.”


    Brenna nodded obediently, not wanting to spoil the mood. Truth be told, she wasn’t very social and believed one or two close friends were more than enough for her.


    Just then, a familiar car pulled into the driveway, and Ernst stepped out.


    .


    .


    .