At Millennium Apartment.
"Noah, we've arrived!" Jason's voice broke through Noah's thoughts.
...
Noah was weighing the options of calling his sister or heading back to Green Lake Town to chat with her face-to-face.
He knew his little sister wouldn't simply follow what he asked over the phone. He needed to meet her to persuade and reassure her that their life from now on would be a whole lot better.
After checking his watch, Noah turned to Jason.
"Can you drive to Green Lake Town for three hours?"
"Of course..." Jason smiled, noticing the worry in his eyes. "Do you want us to leave now?"
"Yeah. But Jason, what about your dad? We might be spending the night there."
"It's fine. The hospital nurses are caring for him well. Thanks to you, he is in a VIP ward. He receives the best service there."
"Alright, let's head to my hometown. I need to speak with my sister," Noah said.
Once their car was speeding toward the highway, Noah took out his cell phone and texted Matthew about his sudden trip out of town.
"Sir, should I send another team to support you?" From: Matthew
Noah sighed.
Even though Noah considered rejecting Matthew's offer, the unexpected inheritance of his father's fortune left him feeling that danger was always lurking nearby.
Everyone he knows has always wished him dead. This bothers him, especially now as he returns to his hometown, where his family lives.
Although he was aware of Jason's abilities, having another bodyguard follow him wouldn't be harmful, would it?
Noah quickly typed his reply.
"Matt, that sounds good! But please keep their presence away from me unless I really need it!"
Noah hoped his sister and the people in his town wouldn't be surprised when he returned from the city looking the way he did, with a new car and even a bodyguard.
"Absolutely, boss!" From: Matthew
Noah chuckled while reading Matthew's text. It felt as if Matthew were in the car with them, sharing in his playfulness.
It would be fun if he were with them right now. However, Matthew was too busy dealing with a few unresolved matters in the city. He was keeping the White family and his new enemy, Jack Donovan, in check before those people made another move to attack him.
One thing that bothers him now is that Matthew's presence around him will draw certain people's attention to him. This is why he tries to avoid appearing in public with Matthew.
...
After three hours, they finally reached Green Lake Town, the place where he grew up.
Noah left this beautiful and peaceful place a few years ago to attend college in Opal City.
He only returned when there was something important, as he was responsible for earning money for the family after graduating, since his adoptive father had died when he was a teenager.
Before heading to his home on the city's outskirts, Noah called his sister, Alicia.
"Wow, bro...it's been ages! Do you even know how rare you call me?"
Alicia's voice sounded surprised on the other end, making Noah chuckle.
Noah gently replied, "Sorry, Alice... You know me. But yeah, I should've called you more often. I was too swamped with work and didn't have much time to pay attention to you. I'll do better next time."
Silence filled the other end, prompting Noah to check his cell phone screen, anxious that the connection had dropped.
"Alice? Are you there?" he asked.
"Who are you? Are you really my big bro?"
Alicia asked, her voice puzzled from the other end.
"Hahaha..." Noah couldn't help but laugh when he heard his sister's adorable confusion. "Are you at home or in the hospital?"
"At school! I'm on my way to the hospital. Seriously, why are you suddenly calling me?" she asked again.
"Alright, stay where you are. I'll come to get you. There's something important I want to discuss with you."
"What? Brother Noah, are you really serious in this town??"
Alicia's shout prompted Noah to pull the phone away from his ear.
"Yes! I will arrive there in a few minutes," he said, immediately hanging up without waiting for his sister to respond.
Noah quickly shared the address of his little sister's school with Jason.
They drove there faster because the roads in the small town were less congested than in Opal City.
As Noah's car neared Alicia's school, he spotted a young girl with a ponytail standing in front of the main gate, gazing at her cell phone as if she were typing something.
Noah's upper lip curled into a slight smile upon seeing her.
The last time they met was earlier this year, and he was amazed at how much she had grown and how prettier she looked.
"Jason, stop in front of that girl," Noah ordered, pointing at his little sister, who still didn't realize that a car had stopped near her.
Noah quickly exited and walked over to her, noticing she was typing a message to him.
"Who are you texting?"
Noah whispered closely, startling Alicia. Her hazel eyes widened in surprise as she smiled brightly at him.
"Brother..."
Alicia shuddered as she nestled into Noah's warm embrace.
"I've missed you so much! Why did you come back only now? I really wish you could have been here for my birthday!" She squeezed him tighter.
"Silly girl! You were the one who said there was no need to come back! Remember?"
Noah placed his hand gently on her hair, patting it softly.
"You told me to send money instead. Did you enjoy your birthday?"
Alicia gently loosens her embrace and takes a step back to give her brother a clear view.
A warm smile spreads across her face as she looks into his eyes and says, "Hmm... I bought a cake and ate it with my friends."
"Yes, I recall you shared your picture with me..."
Alicia smiles. Seeing her brother standing before her on a weekday when he was supposed to work in the city feels surreal.
'Wait! Wait, why does my brother look so different? He appears handsome, and—'
Suddenly, something crosses her mind.
"Brother, what brings you here?" She asked.
Alicia's playful expression gradually disappeared, giving way to concern and panic.
"Did they fire you? Are you in trouble in the city? Is that why you came back home?"