“No need,” Flynt said coolly, averting his gaze. “Huthailia isn’t Masmubia-getting away with murder here is too much trouble.”


    With that, he strode toward the adjacent building. “Our objective is to get Aria to join the experiment. Monitor the people around her, but under no circumstances are they to be harmed.”


    The driver replied, “Understood, sir.”


    *****


    Owen asked in a low voice, “So he’s the mastermind behind all this?”


    Aria nodded. “Yeah, he’s a shareholder at Ivy Hospital. His name is Flynt Hartley.”


    Owen asked in a low voice, “He wants you in the experiment?”


    “Yeah,” Aria replied.


    Owen scoffed. “Ugly as sin, but he sure has some nerve.”


    Flynt had the kind of looks that instantly grabbed attention-“ugly” was thest word one would use.


    Aria blurted out, “Well, he’s not bad-looking.”


    “Did you get a good look at him?” Owen asked, his tone suddenly turning sharp.


    “I took a good look,” Aria said with a smile. “And you’re still way better looking.”


    Owen lowered his gaze, a faint smile ying on his lips as he gently squeezed the pad of her finger. “You’ve got the best taste, Madelyn.”


    His smile faded slightly at the thought of Flynt’s gaze. In a low, tentative voice, he asked, “Was today really your first time meeting him?”


    Aria nodded. “First time.”


    Owen said, “Leave it to me. I’ll dig into his background.”


    Aria said calmly, “He’s not an immediate threat.”


    Aria thought, ‘If all he wanted was for me to join the experiment, that would be manageable.


    ‘Worst case, I’ll just blow up theirb.


    ‘But I just can’t shake the feeling that things aren’t that simple!


    ‘Flynt Hartley’s attitude toward me is unsettling-one moment openly hostile, the next, all trace of animosity gone.


    “That guy’s not right in the head. Better keep my distance.


    Aria then said, “I’ll be staying at my ce for a few days.”


    “Alright.” Owen’s foot pivoted to the right. “I’m moving in with you.”


    Aria tilted her head. “Would that be alright?”


    Just for a few days. Aria instinctively wanted to refuse, but when she looked up, she saw Owen gazing at her with hopeful


    cycs.


    He lowered his gaze slightly, his longshes casting delicate shadows beneath his eyes-the very picture of feigned


    innocence.


    Aria paused, then relented. “Alright.”


    Owen didn’t waste a second-he grabbed a few essentials and moved right in.


    Fresh out of the shower, Aria saw Owen standing in her room in his pajamas, curiously examining the little trinket on her nightstand.


    It was a keepsake from Lily and Pearl.


    Aria walked over. “There’s a guest room upstairs-you can take that one.”


    Owen stood still, his brows furrowed in confusion. “Why can’t I share the room with you?”


    Aria looked up, meeting his burning gaze head-on.


    Aria said, “We’ve got kids at home. It wouldn’t set a good example.”


    Owen gave her hand a yful poke. “I can get up early, you know. That excuse doesn’t work on me.”


    Fresh out of the shower, a gentle flush lingered at the corners of Aria’s eyes, still misty from the steam.


    “I’m afraid I won’t be able to resist,” she said, her tone half teasing, half sincere.


    Owen blinked in surprise, then ducked his head with a soft chuckle. “Well, that’s a reason I can get behind. Walk me upstairs then.”


    Aria smiled. “Sure.”


    Aria led Owen to thest room down the hall on the second floor.


    “The sheets are freshly changed, so you can just get some rest,” she said, gesturing toward the closet. “There are extra nkets inside if you need them.”


    Owen nodded with a gentle smile. “Alright.”


    “Good night,” Aria said softly.


    Just as Aria turned around, she suddenly felt Owen’s arm tighten around her waist.


    Owen suddenly wrapped his arms around her and, with a slight pull, swept her into his arms.


    Caughtpletely off guard, Aria suddenly found herself swept up into Owen’s arms, lifted so high she had to grab onto his shoulders just to steady herself.


    “What do you think you’re doing?” Aria blurted out, startled.


    Owen looked up at her, a mischievous grin on his face. “Now that you’re here, might as well stay the night.”


    This was the first time Aria had ever looked down at Owen from above.


    The light caught in his eyes, illuminating their tenderness.


    “Put me down first,” Aria said, her voiceced with gentle protest.


    Owen carried her to the bed and gentlyid her down, then knelt on the edge, trapping her between his arms as he leaned in close. He murmured, “Not leaving?”