Laney had been staying in Garrett’s house for a week now.When she had nothing else to do, she would exercise, do chores, or
busy herself in the garden.The rest of her twas spent watching the men lurking outside.
Standing in front of the window of the study and looking out, Garrett happened to see Laney hiding behind a tree in the garden
with a dagger in her hand, looking extra vigilant.
Seeing this, he was in a trance for a moment and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Mr.Harding, can you hear me?" The person on the phone called out his ntwice before Garrett finally centered himself.
"Ahem, sorry.Could you please repeat that? The signal here is spotty."
As he spoke, Garrett returned to his seat and put on his glasses.
"We’ll put everything regarding Laney to rest now.We didn’t know that she’s your girlfriend.But Mr.Harding, would it be too much
to ask for more shares in the cooperation, if ever?"
The man on the other end of the line was the head of the Burke family.It was never really that important for the Burke family to
take revenge on Laney anyway, especially so when someone as Garrett Harding was trying to intervene.
A dangerous cold light flashed in his eyes as he added, "But if you dare to hurt Laney again, I won’t let you go I promise."
"Mr.Harding, we won’t do anything to hurt her.You can rest assured."
The head of the Burke family laughed awkwardly.
After getting off the phone with the Burke family, Garrett received another call from his family "I heard that your girlfriend offended
the Burke family? Moreover, I heard that this so called ‘girlfriend of yours is a hit woman? Is that true?"
Although they were posed as questions, the woman on the other end of the line sounded resigned.
"I’ll handle it.Don’t worry about me, Mom," Garrett said lightheartedly.
"How can I not worry about you? You’re my son." The woman sighed again.
"I promise I’ll handle it, Mom.I can take care of myself.Anyway, I have to get back to work now."
Just then, the door to the study was pushed open and Laney strode in.
"Mr.Harding, have you heard anything from the Burkes yet?"
Laney poked her head in and asked through the crack of the door.
With a distressed look on his face, Garrett fumbled for an excuse, "We’re still, er, negotiating.The Burke family hasn’t responded
"Okay.Please informwhen you hear from them, Mr.Harding."
Laney nodded, closed the door, and left.
Garrett had been having a good twith Laney these days and didn’t want her to leave yet, so he hid the truth from her in the
meantime.
Another week passed.
Laney had begun to use the tree in the garden as a makeshift dummy for her to practice fighting.
Every day, there would be a new batch of fallen leaves by the base of the tree.
"I’ll ask my assistant to get you a new sandbag.The poor tree never did anything wrong to you."
Looking at the balding tree, Garrett sighed.
Today, Laney was in a bad mood, so she said nothing and just nodded gloomily.She was getting bored and restless.She wasn’t
used to living such a boring life.
"I think those thugs are gone.I plan to leave tomorrow."
"But they’re lurking all over the city.It’s not safe out there, Laney.Just stay with me," Garrett hurriedly said.
Laney was getting really bored here.She hadn’t fought with anyone for a long tand she felt she was getting rusty at it.She
pounded the tree with her fist and muttered, "Fine.Two more days."
Sure enough, two days later, Laney couldn’t stand it anymore.She packed up her things and was about to leave.
"I’m going to lose my mind if I continue to stay here.I’ve never been so bored in my life.I’m going to fight those guys! At least it’s
more exciting than being locked up here."