Chapter 228

Lucy White's brows furrowed instantly.

Her fingers dug into her palms unconsciously. Though she sensed her mother and brother were unharmed, her heart still clenched painfully.

"What happened?" Her voice was tight with tension.

Michael Johnson's voice came through the phone. "Someone targeted Aunt Grace. Fortunately, you were prepared—the assassin failed."

"Noah's protective charm suddenly burned up. The chase drained him, and now he's exhausted."

His mother had dragged him to help Aunt Grace today.

Who would have expected an ambush? They were forced into the mountains, their energy nearly depleted.

Though they escaped unscathed, the ordeal left them shaken.

After descending, Aunt Grace wanted to call Lucy, but he volunteered instead.

Lucy immediately understood who was behind this.

"Are Mom and Noah hurt?" Her voice trembled with worry.

Michael replied, "They're fine, thanks to your protective charms. Aunt Grace was prepared—she handled the attacker."

Today, he'd witnessed a side of Aunt Grace that left him stunned.

Only then did Lucy relax.

She knew exactly how that mother-daughter pair operated. Now that her family was exposed, the same hired-killer plot from her past life would repeat.

That's why she had warned her mother in advance, crafted protective charms, and even carved jade pendants infused with spiritual energy—bulletproof and impact-resistant—as a double safeguard.

She just hadn’t expected them to strike so soon.

"Where are you? I'm coming now," she said urgently.

Michael answered, "Still on the mountain. Hurry."

He hadn’t seen Lucy in days, and the longing gnawed at him.

"Got it. Be there soon."

After hanging up, she turned to Julian Chase. "Take me here, please."

Julian immediately changed course, sensing the icy aura around her. "What's wrong?"

During the call, Lucy had radiated danger.

"Family emergency," she said tersely. "I need to check on them."

Julian asked, "Need any help?"

In the capital, he had connections.

Lucy shook her head. "No, I can handle it."

Dealing with those people wasn’t worth troubling others.

Seeing her resolve, he relented. "Just say the word if you need anything."

Lucy nodded. "Thanks."

The car stopped at the mountain's base—the road ahead was impassable.

She unbuckled her seatbelt. "Appreciate the ride."

Julian stepped out too. "I’ll come with you."

Before she could refuse, he added, "I won’t get in the way."

Lucy sighed. "Fine."

After a short walk up the trail, they spotted Michael waiting outside a wooden cabin—a recent retreat Grace had built, fully equipped.

At the sight of Lucy, Michael's stern face brightened. "Lucy!"

Then he noticed the unfamiliar man behind her, and his smile froze.

"Who’s this?" He eyed Julian warily.

Lucy introduced briefly, "Julian Chase, a friend. He insisted on tagging along. Keep him company—I’m going to see Mom."

With that, she headed inside, leaving the two men staring at each other.

Michael sized Julian up. "You’re Lucy’s friend?"

Julian sensed the hostility and disliked him just as much.

But he masked it well, remaining polite. "Yes, a close one. And you?"

Michael straightened. "Childhood friend."

Julian raised a brow. So that was their dynamic.

No wonder this guy rubbed him the wrong way.

He smiled thinly. "Pleasure." As if childhood friends stood a chance against Ethan Smith.

Michael narrowed his eyes. "What are your intentions with Lucy?"

A grown man forcing his way into her business? Definitely shady.

His stomach churned with jealousy. First that scheming Ethan, now this smirking fox?

Lately, he’d been brushing up on internet slang—Julian was practically a male version of a sanctimonious hypocrite.

Julian saw right through him. Another rival.

But a childhood friend who still hadn’t won Lucy over after all these years? Hardly a threat.

He adjusted his cufflinks elegantly. "Intentions? Why so tense?"

Michael scoffed. "Cut the act. Lucy would never go for your type."

Julian remained unruffled. "You don’t seem like her type either."

The two locked eyes, sparks flying between them.

Finally, Michael huffed and looked away.

No way Lucy would fall for a playboy.

Still, better stay vigilant.