The True Lady Strikes Back novel (Cecilia and Christopher)

Chapter 250

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Cecilia’s eyes fell on the woman’s photo.

The photo Aiden showed her was from an ID photo. The woman’s facial attributes bore a subtle

resemblance to hers, and when the woman

adopted a serious countenance, one could reasonably assert a 50 percent similarity to Cecilia.

Given her apparent age, the woman appeared to be approximately 25 years old.

There existed a negligible disparity in age. When the woman applied makeup, the dissimilarity between

her and Cecilia was truly minimal. Cecilia averted her gaze and addressed Aiden, saying, “Aiden, I

intend to evaluate her capabilities personally. Should she fail to meet the criteria, kindly arrange for her

replacement, or I shall commence the mission in person.”

If the substitute could not defend herself, there was undoubtedly a fatal risk she was embracing.

Aiden expressed his confidence in his men, smiling as he remarked, “While she might not outmatch

you in combat, her prowess in fighting is certainly commendable.”

“We won’t know until we test her.”

Evan inquired, “Does this imply that I need not find a stand–in from my end?”

Aiden responded decisively, “Your search must persist. The more

stand–ins, the better. Concentrate on individuals hailing from the police special forces and anti–

terrorism units!”

Only candidates from these two forces possessed the requisite combat proficiency.

“Understood. I shall bring them to you within three days,” Evan affirmed. “Try to expedite the process.

Wolf Killer appears to be pressuring Charlie to return. We must stage a scenario where he successfully

captures Ceci and delivers her to the organization’s headquarters for the necessary acclaim before he

leaves.”

“I’ll make the call right now.”

Observing the lack of tasks at hand, Cecilia remarked, “I’ll head home for

now. I’ll prepare lunch and deliver it to you later.”

Glancing at the clock, Aiden noted it was already eleven o’clock in the morning.

If Ceci returned to prepare lunch at home, it would imply she would not have a moment to rest before

hastening back to the hospital.

He suggested, “Ceci, why don’t you head home, check on Christopher, and bring us dinner? You

should have some rest.”

“Okay, Aiden, I’ll take over for you and look after Grandma Elaine

tonight. You should head back to rest,” Cecilia volunteered.

Just as Aiden was about to protest, Cecilia fixed him with a serious gaze and preempted him, stating

firmly, “Your objections are invalid.”

“Okay, I won’t object. You should go home now.”

Cecilia had intentionally allowed herself to be poisoned earlier, merely as a ruse to deceive Jeffrey.

Therefore, there was no harm in her leaving the hospital as she was unscathed at this point.

Upon her departure, Aiden promptly received a call from Elaine’s attending doctor.

Worried that something might have happened to Elaine, he swiftly exited Evan’s room and answered

the

phone.

“Has Grandma’s condition worsened?” Aiden inquired urgently.

Observing Aiden’s misunderstanding, the attending doctor hastily explained, “No, Commander Shaw. This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

Please come to my office. There’s a call waiting for you on the landline.”

Aiden had a hunch about the caller’s identity and promptly made his way to the attending doctor’s

office.

The receiver of the landline phone lay beside it, indicating an ongoing call.

He picked it up, feigning ignorance, and inquired, “May I know who is calling?”

An unsettling mechanical voice echoed through the line. “I am the one who can save Mrs. Shaw,” it

proclaimed.

Aiden’s tone turned grave. “Who are you?” he demanded.

The man evaded his question. “If you want to save Mrs. Shaw, give us Cecilia in exchange.”

10:27

The True Lady Strikes Back

“How do you propose we accomplish that? Exchange them simultaneously?”

“You hand over Cecilia first. Once she’s in my possession, I’ll provide you with the antidote,” the voice

on the other end dictated coldly.

“Why should I trust you?”

“You have no choice.”

Then, the mechanical voice added mockingly, “Prolonging this conversation won’t help you pinpoint my

location. Save your energy.” Aiden had indeed instructed his men to trace the phone number, but their

efforts were in vain.

The other party had disguised their IP address, scattering the traced location across the globe.

He shifted his gaze away from the computer screen and negotiated, “I’m willing to exchange Cecilia for

the antidote, but you must adhere to my conditions. Otherwise, there’s no point in discussing this

further.”

Aiden appeared to be the weaker party, led by the other, but in reality, the other party was more

anxious than he was.

In this situation, the one who succumbed to anxiety would be at a disadvantage.

As anticipated, the other party hesitated for a few seconds and then relented.

“Speak, Commander Shaw, what are your conditions? If they are excessive, I will have no qualms

ending this negotiation.”

“I demand evidence of your ability to save my grandmother first. Without assurance, I fear I may not

only fail to rescue her but also risk losing my sister.”

Aiden’s demands led to a moment of hesitation from the other party, who questioned skeptically, “Is it

the Shaw family’s practice to allow others to sacrifice themselves to save their lives?”

He pondered, “Cecilia was exceptionally well–protected under the Shaw family’s watch. Why would he

now be willing to sacrifice her life for others?”

Aiden’s confident chuckle resonated in the other party’s ears. “Because I’m certain I can obtain the

antidote and rescue Cecilia from your hands.”

“You will pay for your arrogance!”

Then, the call was disconnected.

Aiden promptly forwarded the call recording, call logs, and location details to Cecilia.

He was well aware of Cecilia’s exceptional hacking skills. She might find a crucial lead within this

information.

Cecilia had just emerged from the hospital basement as she had visited the restroom before leaving.

She was not surprised to receive the information from Aiden.

After all, she had anticipated that Wolf Killer would exploit Elaine’s poisoning to manipulate the

situation.

As it was inconvenient to trace the real IP address on her mobile phone, Cecilia devised a plan to

investigate the matter further upon returning to the Shaw residence.

Half an hour later, her car halted in front of the Shaw residence’s

entrance.

Upon noticing Cecilia’s return, the butler, Bruce, swiftly instructed the kitchen staff to prepare additional

dishes.

Emerging from the kitchen, he inquired, “Ms. Yancey, I have arranged for Mr. Forte to stay in the main

guest room in the inner courtyard. Would you like to check on him?”

“Have you prepared all the daily necessities for him?”

“Yes. I’ve also told Mr. Forte to inform me if he needs anything.”

“Okay. I’ll go check on him.”

Upon entering the guest room, Cecilia found Christopher engaged in rehabilitation exercises.

While his leg injury was not severe, the accumulation of past injuries posed challenges to his mobility.

Surprise flickered across his handsome face as he spotted Cecilia. “Ceci, why are you back?”

When he asked her that, he reached for the towel hanging around his neck and wiped the sweat from

his face.

His pale complexion was flushed from the exertion of rehabilitation exercises, and the blood–red mole

in the corner of his eye glimmered, tempting one’s fingertips to brush against it.

10.27

As the thought crossed Cecilia’s mind, her hand instinctively followed her impulse.

Christopher grabbed her hand and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. I just find my boyfriend incredibly handsome and charming,” Cecilia replied.

“Are you fascinated by me then?”

“A little bit.”

Christopher could not help but chuckle as he watched Cecilia gesturing with her fingers.

He gently lifted Cecilia’s chin and leaned closer to her lips. “Just a little bit?” he murmured.

Cecilia tenderly kissed Christopher’s lips and whispered, “Of course… not. I would undoubtedly love

the man I fall for deeply.”

Otherwise, she would not have welcomed this man into her heart, allowing him to establish deep roots

and grow into an unassailable, towering tree.

Christopher’s composure shattered with Cecilia’s sudden confession of love. His gaze turned intense

and possessive. At that moment, he desired her completely.

Cecilia’s heart fluttered under his gaze, and her pale cheeks flushed with a seductive shade of red.

When she recalled the pressing issue that demanded her attention, she swiftly regained her composure

and distanced herself from the man who was deliberately flirting with her.

“After you left, Aiden managed to arrest another shareholder of Wolf Killer.”

Christopher was momentarily stunned and inquired with curiosity, “How did he manage to locate that

individual?”

To be exact, he was wondering why the shareholders had suddenly emerged after three years of

silence.

After all, it was not as if there was a sale where you’d get a “buy one, get one free” promotion.