Chapter 4
Humpley stepped out of his room just as Nina emerged from bers. His face brightened instantly. “Going somewhere,
Nina?
She stood with her hands tucked in her pockets, fixing him with those striking clear eyes of hers. There was something knowing in the way she regarded her overeager older brother. Jest heading out. Don’t wait up for dinner
“What? But we were supposed to have your welcome dinner tonight. Humphrey’s smile faltered slightly.
Nina cocked her head to one side. “Really? Because from what Jessica tells me, no one in this house actually wants me here.”
“That’s not true at all. I want you here. Humplury draped an arm around her shoulders with practiced warmth. “Sure, Dad can’t make it tonight, but that’s fine–we brothers can still give you a proper welcome.
“Oh?” Nina met his gaze steadily. “And where are these welcoming brothers of mine?”
“Well… Humphrey’s smile wavered before steadying again. “They’re probably just tied up with things right now.”
“Then call them. Her voice was deceptively light. “Right now. Here.”
“Now?” He hesitated.
Nina gave a nod. “Yeah, now, right in front of me.”
Their eyes locked in a silent standoff. Humphrey had to wonder if he’d underestimated this seemingly naive girl’s perceptiveness.
“Fine, I’ll call. He pulled out his phone, silently praying his brothers would play along.
The line rang, connecting to his second brother, Alfie Woods. “Hello?”
“Alfie, Nina’s home today, and tonight-” Humphrey was cut off
I have surgery. Can’t leave,” Alfie’s cool voice replied.
Humphrey’s eye twitched. “Can’t someone else handle it?”
“No.” After the brief response, the line went dead.
Maintaining his composure, Humphrey forced a laugh. “Alfie’s a doctor. He has an emergency surgery tonight.”
Nina’s expression didn’t change. “Next one
Feeling increasingly cornered, Humphrey dialed his third brother, Henry Woods. “Hi, Henry, about tonight-
“Didn’t I tell you I have basketball training for the tournament? came the explosive response. “Stop interrupting my practice! Goodbye!”
Another rejection. Humphrey’s smile grew strained. “Ah. don’t mind Henry’s temper. He gets like that sometimes.”
“No problem.” Nina’s thoughts were clear: ‘Not like he was yelling at me anyway
“There’s still one more, isn’t there?” she pressed.
Even Humphrey had given up hope by now. He dialed his youngest brother, Greg Woods.
Before he could speak. Greg’s cheerful voice rang out. “Humphrey. I know what you’re going to say, but I’m shooting
19:52 Sat, Nov 30
Chapter 4
tonight. The director will have my head if I leave. And hey, drop the caring big brother act–everyone knows you hate our
new sister the most
The air turned arctic.
Nina shrugged off Humphrey’s hand. “Can I ge
“Where to? Let me drive you.” Humphrey offered weakly.
“No need.” She was already walking away. “Someone’s picking ni up”
“Who? A friend?” he pressed.
“Yes,” she called back without turning. “My boyfriend.”
Her boyfriend” Clifford leaned across to fasten her seatbelt, his expensive cologne subtle yet magnetic.
“You seem in good spirits. The Woods family giving you any trouble?” he asked.
“As if anyone could.” The corner of her mouth quirked up. As the top operative among the ‘war machines, she was usually the one others worried about.
She then turned to study Clifford’s impossibly handsome profile
What is it?” He caught her staring and couldn’t help but think she was trying to be cute to get her way,
Nina blinked innocently. “Clifford, want to be my boyfriend?”
After today’s homecoming disaster, she’d been thinking. The higher–ups want us war machines to experience love–they never specified what kind. Romance counts too, right?
He saw right through her calculation. “No.”
“Jerk. She turned to stare out the window, sulking.
His hand settled on her head, ruffling her hair. “Don’t pout. The higher–ups genuinely want you to find happiness, not just check boxes
“I was perfectly happy at the Special Operations Division. Her voice held a note of frustration. She couldn’t figure out why they should all face consequences just because a few other war machines caused trouble.
“Listen.” His chuckle held equal parts exasperation and fondness. “If you really can’t adjust to civilian life, I’ll talk to the higher–ups about bringing you back
She spun back to face him. “Timeline?”
“Six months.”
“One month!
Four months.”
“Two months!”
“Three months. Push it, and the offer’s off the table.”
“Clifford.”
Chapter 4
“Hm
“You’re the worst.”
“Subordinates aren’t allowed to talk back to their superiors, you know.”
At the auction house entrance, Paul Nelson, the chairman, rushed forward as Clifford stepped out of his car. “Mr. Snee. welcome! I heard Ms. Morisot will be painting live tonight. Is she with you-
Nina hopped out of the car before he could finish
Paul’s attention snapped to her, his jaw dropping. ‘Wait. A woman‘ But Mr. Snce is infamous for avoiding women–any who dare approach are usually intercepted by security before they get within ten feet. Yet here is this girl, casually emerging from his car? This is headline material
Nina glanced at Clifford curiously. She only knew him as the Deputy Director of Moonhuntland’s Special Operations Division, a vice–ministerial position where everyone just called him Clifford. This was the first time she’d heard anyone outside refer to him as Mr. Snee with such respect.
Did he have another identity I don’t know about?‘ she wondered
“Stop fishing Without looking, Clifford knew exactly what she was thinking. He guided her forward with a hand on her head “Where’s our room, Mr. Nelson?”
Right this way. Mr. Snee!” Paul replied.
As they walked through the VIP corridor, Nina wrapped herself around Clifford’s arm like a determined vine. “Come on, what other secret identities are you hiding? Tell me!”
Clifford knew almost everything about her while she knew next to nothing about him. That was totally unfair to her.
The contrast was striking–Clifford, normally so formal and distant, allowed her to cling to him with obvious fondness. “You’ll find out eventually.”
“I want to know now!” she pouted.
“Paint well tonight then. Break thirty million at auction, and I’ll tell you.”
“Promise?
Paul, still leading the way, had his mouth hanging open ever since overhearing their exchange. The globally acclaimed Ms. Morisot was this slip of a girl, and the notoriously cold Mr. Snee was actually enjoying being pestered by said girl. Paul just couldn’t believe the scene.
Outside the auction house, Darrell noticed Humphrey standing motionless by their car, “Humphrey? Something wrong? Humphrey stared thoughtfully at the entrance. “Dad, I think I just saw Nina.”
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