Chapter 24 – A Change of Plans

Lilian stared at Nathan like he had lost his mind. "Jerman? You can't be serious."

Nathan, sitting casually on the couch, tilted his head. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Yes! Because this is insane!" Lilian threw up her hands. "You expect me to leave everything behind just because you said so?"

Nathan sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew this wouldn't be easy.

"Lilian, listen. This isn't just about you anymore. Whoever's watching you isn't just spying. They're waiting for something."

Lilian's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it with skepticism. "And running to another country is your solution? That's extreme, even for you."

Nathan leaned forward, his voice dropping. "It's not just about running. It's about buying time to figure out who's behind this. If we stay here, they'll make their move sooner or later."

Lilian opened her mouth to argue, but she hesitated. She wanted to believe it was nothing—that Nathan was just overreacting. But deep down, she knew he wasn't.

The voice recording. The rock through the window. The strange sensation of being watched.

She exhaled sharply. "What about Joseph?"

"I'll talk to him," Nathan said. "But he's busy with business deals this month. He can't just disappear. You, on the other hand, can."

Lilian narrowed her eyes. "That's convenient for you."

Nathan smirked. "You make it sound like I planned this just to go on vacation with you."

Lilian scoffed. "If this is your idea of a vacation, you need serious help."

Nathan chuckled but didn't press further. He had planted the idea in her mind, and that was enough for now.

---

Preparations Before Departure

Nathan wasted no time making arrangements. He booked their flights, secured accommodations, and contacted a few trusted people to watch over the mansion.

Meanwhile, Lilian paced in her room, still unsure. Every part of her screamed that this was a terrible idea, but at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that Nathan was right.

With an irritated sigh, she packed a small bag. "I swear, if this turns out to be nothing, I'm never letting him live it down."

Nathan, standing by the door, grinned. "Duly noted."

Lilian shot him a glare. "I wasn't talking to you."

---

Under Watchful Eyes

As they were getting ready to leave, Nathan caught something in the corner of his eye—a black sedan parked a little too far down the street to be casual, yet not far enough to be unnoticed.

Nathan didn't react. He continued as if nothing was wrong, but in his mind, he was already calculating countermeasures.

Lilian, however, was fidgeting. "Why do I feel like we're being watched?"

Nathan glanced at her. "Because we probably are."

That didn't help.

Lilian swallowed. "And you're not, I don't know, concerned?"

Nathan shrugged. "If they wanted to do something, they would've done it already."

Lilian stared at him. "That's not comforting."

Nathan chuckled. "Didn't say it was."

---

At the Airport

Lilian was in a foul mood.

"This is the worst," she muttered as they stood in line. "I didn't even get to say goodbye to anyone properly."

Nathan, standing beside her, was unbothered. "It's better this way."

Lilian shot him a glare. "Easy for you to say. You don't have a life to leave behind."

Nathan smirked. "Ouch."

Before she could argue further, Nathan suddenly tensed. His eyes flickered to the far end of the terminal.

Lilian followed his gaze and spotted them—two men in black, standing too still, too observant.

Her stomach twisted. "They followed us."

Nathan's hand subtly pressed against her back, guiding her forward. "Don't look at them."

Lilian clenched her jaw. "What now?"

Nathan's voice was calm. "We board the plane and pretend we don't see them."

Lilian swallowed hard and followed his lead.

---

Takeoff & In the Air

Once they were in the air, Nathan finally exhaled.

"Safe. For now."

Lilian turned to him. "Okay. No more cryptic answers. Explain."

Nathan sighed but nodded.

"I don't think they're after you specifically," he admitted. "Not yet, at least. But someone has taken an interest in you."

Lilian frowned. "Because of you?"

Nathan hesitated. "Probably."

Lilian crossed her arms. "And you didn't think to mention this earlier?"

Nathan leaned back, closing his eyes. "Would you have believed me?"

Lilian wanted to argue, but she knew he had a point.

After a long pause, she sighed. "So what's the plan?"

Nathan smirked. "Enjoy the trip. Act normal. Let me handle the rest."

Lilian narrowed her eyes. "That sounds like a terrible plan."

Nathan chuckled. "Probably."

She exhaled, resting her head against the seat. "I hate this."

Nathan tilted his head toward her. "Then why are you here?"

Lilian scowled. "Because you forced me."

Nathan smirked. "That's your official answer?"

Lilian huffed, turning away. But deep down, she wasn't so sure anymore.

---

Arrival in Germany

They landed late at night, the cool air of Berlin greeting them as they stepped out of the airport.

Nathan led the way to a pre-arranged hotel, making sure their check-in was smooth.

Lilian let out a breath of relief as she dropped onto the bed. "Finally."

Nathan chuckled. "Tired already?"

Lilian groaned. "I've been kidnapped to another country. I think I deserve some rest."

Nathan shook his head, amused.

Then, his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, his smirk fading.

A message from one of his contacts.

"You're not alone. They were already here before you arrived."

Nathan pocketed his phone and turned to Lilian.

"Get some sleep," he said. "You're gonna need it."

But in his mind, he knew—this was only the beginning.

End of Chapter 24.

End of Vol 1