Chapter 2

As I listened to Jonah's baseless accusations, I couldn't help but feel how ridiculous the entire situation was.

Rose had gotten the wound the day before during combat training. She had a weak foundation, so after performing a defensive maneuver, she accidentally scraped herself when she fell on the mat.

Everyone in the team was covered in similar wounds. In fact, most of them had even more severe injuries.

"Think whatever you want," I said lightly in a completely calm voice. "There's no reason for her to continue working in this industry if she can't even handle a little scrape from training. Bodyguards aren't just for show, after all. A pretty face can't stop a bullet."

Jonah's and Rose's faces stiffened at my blunt and harsh words.

"Besides," I continued, "Haven't you already chosen her to be your personal bodyguard? I'm also about to leave Golden Shield. Rose will never have to deal with a bully like me ever again. That's great, no?"

Jonah was rendered speechless by my words. The embarrassed expression on his face swiftly morphed to anger. It seemed that he never thought that I could have such a sharp tongue since I used to listen to everything he said in the past.

"Did I give you permission to leave?" he demanded, gritting the words out in an unreasonable tone. "You have to stay too! Not only do you have to protect me, but you have to protect Rose, too! Don't forget, Lily. You owe the York family."

Jonah didn't spare me another glance after he was done speaking. He grabbed Rose's hand and left the training grounds without looking back.

I stood rooted to the spot and watched his retreating back with an icy gaze.

I owed the York family?

I had already paid my debts with my life in my past life.

The atmosphere in the training grounds became unbearably awkward after Jonah's stubborn departure.

The other participants exchanged glances, not daring to make a sound.

A string of angry curses exploded from Emily's lips. But in the end, she could only express her frustrations with a long sigh. She waved her hand, gesturing for the others to leave.

It didn't take long before we were the only people left on the vast training grounds.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that fiasco, Lily," Emily said.

Her furious expression had melted away, replaced by exhaustion and helplessness.

"I was the one who spoiled Jonah rotten since he was a child. That's why he's so unreasonable now."

I remained silent and kept my head lowered, looking at the ground.

A bitter smile stretched across Emily's lips when she took in my calm gaze. "I knew that it was inevitable that you would leave one day, considering your capabilities and proud nature."

She paused before changing the subject. Her hazy eyes glimmered with a hint of pleading when she said, "But I still need to ask this of you, Lily. An important business deal is set to take place at Southglade Port in three days.

"The outcome of this deal will decide York Group's fate for the next five years. The other party is ruthless. I can't trust anyone else but you."

She lowered her voice before continuing, "I hope that you can protect Jonah one last time before you leave. You'll be granted true freedom once the deal is over. The York family will not question you whatsoever, no matter what demands you make when the time comes."

I looked up and stared into Emily's eyes.

In the end, I didn't reject her request because I owed her.

Not the York family, but Emily herself.

When I was ten, I was an orphan fending off wild dogs as I scavenged through trash for food. Emily was the one who rescued me from that miserable life. She took me into the team, giving me the chance to develop the skills I needed to earn a living.

Without her, I probably would have starved to death in a deserted corner long ago.

I had to repay Emily's kindness.

"Okay," I said in a clear and firm voice, nodding. "Once the deal is over in three days, I will no longer have anything to do with the York family."

"You're such a good person," Emily said gratefully while patting my shoulders, looking as if a huge weight had fallen off her shoulders. "Go on then. Just think of these last three days as one last favor for an old woman."