Chapter 701: Is This Mind Reading?
Jared stared intently at Ruud, as if trying to see through him. Despite his vast experience in reading people, he could not decipher the thoughts of Sinoria's General Praevion. With just a glance, Ruud seemed to read Jared's mind and scoffed, "You're wondering why I know these things? What is my purpose in saying them in front of you? Am I betraying you?" Jared was speechless.
"Can you read minds or what?"
Wait?
This way of speaking, why does it feel so familiar?
Ruud stood up, his expression cold, and looked at him briefly.
"Kid, you're still young. After a few more years, you'll understand that things aren't as simple as they appear on the surface."
With that, Ruud turned and walked away. As he reached the door, he suddenly paused, turned back to Jared and said, "From today, the X Bureau will be a thing of the past!"
Then, without further delay, he left.
Jared watched Ruud's retreating figure, his eyes lowered, lost in thought. After a moment, he looked up at the X Bureau and then turned to leave.
Meanwhile, Tina went to Flame Ice, directing Cole to focus on finding her father. After Cole reported on recent tasks, Tina left; Jared was also out on business, and she suddenly realized she didn't know where to go. Then she remembered it had been a long time since she took Zackary and Sophia out for fun. With nothing else to do today, she decided to take the two little ones out. Her location was close to the Reed family, so she went straight there to pick up Zackary. When Tina arrived, only Jennie was home. Jennie, surprised at first, soon smiled and said, "Tina? You're here?"
Since Hugo had been busy with his perfume company, and Tina also had her own affairs, she had scarcely visited in the past six months. Hugo had tried to invite Tina over for a meal several times, calling her, but she was always too busy to get away. Jennie knew about Natalie being hospitalized and had planned to visit in the next few days, but Tina arrived first.
Jennie, smiling, welcomed Tina inside.
"Come in, you should have told me earlier so I could prepare some food. We have nothing at home right now. Let me call your dad, and he can come home for lunch. We'll all go out to eat!"Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
Since the company started, not only Hugo was busy, but she also helped at the office. Zackary, now in a boarding school, was only home on weekends. Today was Saturday, but she had worked late the day before and hadn't had time to shop, planning instead to do so today.
With Tina's arrival, there truly was nothing to cook. Tina smiled, "Jennie, no need, I was just planning to take Zackary out for some fun today."
After recognizing Natalie, Tina had started addressing Hugo and Jennie by their first names-not out of estrangement, but to avoid confusion during family gatherings where everyone called each other "mom" and "dad."
"Missing one outing won't hurt; let's go eat first. It's been a long time since you've been home," Jennie insisted, not taking no for an answer. Though Tina was not her biological daughter, she loved her as her own. It had been so long since the child had been home, and she wanted her to have a good meal. Despite Tina being financially secure, she was always so busy. Sometimes, she barely managed a few bites, and now with Natalie unable to cook and currently hospitalized and unconscious, there was even less care for Tina.
Tina couldn't refuse, so she said, "I'll take Zackary out for fun first, and we'll eat at home in the afternoon? Jennie, I want to eat the noodles you make!"
Jennie busily replied, "Then I'll go buy groceries now and make your favorite noodles."
After saying this, Jennie looked at Tina with a pained expression, "Look at you, you've lost weight. How has Jared been taking care of you? He promised us he'd take good care of you!"
"This Jared, I need to ask him someday what he's been so busy with that he can't even make sure you eat properly," Jennie said indignantly.
Enjoying the book? Don't forget to visit 000005s.org for the full experience. You won't find the next chapter anywhere else. Happy reading!
Tina pinched her temples, looking helpless.
The loving concern from an old mother, she felt, was a bit overwhelming!
"Jennie, I haven't lost weight, I've gained weight," Tina said earnestly, "I've gained three pounds!"
Jennie half-doubted, "Impossible, you look thinner to me!"
Tina, feeling helpless, stepped on the scale herself, and indeed she had gained three pounds, but Jennie said, "Only three pounds? He's still not taking good care of you. You should have gained ten pounds!"
At that moment, Zackary came out of the bedroom to drink water. Seeing Tina, he froze and then excitedly exclaimed, "Tina! I've missed you so much!"
He had just been on the phone with Sophia in his bedroom, and it was noisy on her end. Plus, with the good soundproofing at home, he hadn't heard anyone arrive.
Zackary threw himself into Tina's arms, rubbing his face against hers, "Tina, why haven't you come to see me in such a long time? I really want to play with you."
Zackary was much more cheerful than before, probably from spending time with Sophia.
Sophia had a good nature; they went to the same school and almost always spent weekends together, which helped Zackary forget the bad times he had experienced before.
Tina rubbed his head gently and said softly, "Go change your clothes, I'll take you out to play!" "Really?"
Zackary's eyes widened in excitement, "Tina, are you really really going to take me out to play?" "Really, hurry up."
"Wow, I get to go play! I can finally play with Tina," Zackary said jubilantly as he rushed into his bedroom to change his clothes quickly.
Jennie watched her son's antics with a sense of helplessness.
Although she was busy with work, she always made time for Zackary on weekends.
Now that their financial situation had improved, she took him out every weekend to various tourist attractions, amusement parks, and zoos, making sure they explored everything the capital had to offer.
Yet it seemed that no matter how much they played, he was never as happy as when Tina was around.
Today, he wore a casual outfit with a black cap and carried a small backpack, looking very stylish. Zackary walked up to Tina and took her hand directly, "Tina, can we invite Sophia and some friends too?"
After a pause, he added, "Can we invite our friend too?"
Tina raised an eyebrow, "Your friend?"
"Yes, her name is Sally Dyer. She's really unfortunate; her dad broke his leg, her mom works and recently broke a client's item, owing a lot of money in compensation. Her mom collapsed from exhaustion trying to repay the client..."