From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 344

Chapter 344 The Encounter

Chapter 344 The Encounter

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This linguistic skill was exactly why she had felt confident taking the mentorship in Faronne.

“Howell? Who is this charming lady?”

In a heartbeat, Bastian moved, shielding Jade with his body. His voice was like a razor.

“Just a friend.”

Jade was bewildered. In the blur of movement, she’d caught a glimpse of several young men in bespoke suits, all with the same blue-gray eyes, though none as striking as Bastian.

Bastian clearly didn’t want her seen by these men, so she chose to remain silent.

She heard the man continue with a teasing, suggestive edge.

“Just a friend? Why not introduce us? We don’t bite.”

Bastian shifted his weight, pinning her more firmly behind him. He offered a faint smile, though his voice carried a chill.

“No. She’s shy.”

“Ugh. So stingy.”

She heard the man scoff, followed by the sound of retreating footsteps. Jade risked a peek over Bastian’s shoulder; the group was gone.

But…

She stepped out from behind him and searched his face.

“Who were they?”

At the question, a flash of visceral disgust crossed Bastian’s features.

“My family.”

He stepped closer, reaching out to naturally tuck a stray lock of wind-blown hair behind her

ear.

Jade shifted uncomfortably, adjusting her own hair as she thought back to his strange behavior.

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Chapter 344 The Encounter

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“Is my being here going to cause problems for you?”

Bastian rested a hand on the crown of her head, offering a gentle smile.

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“It has nothing to do with you. If there’s trouble, I’ll handle it. You do what you came here to do. I won’t let anything touch you.”

“Okay…”

Jade moved away from his touch and looked around, relieved to see Sarah still standing by the

tree.

She’d been terrified they’d been separated in the crowd.

Sarah saw the signal and jogged over. She offered a polite nod to Bastian.

“Mr. Hamlet.”

Bastian gave a short nod of acknowledgement and turned back to Jade.

“Where are you staying? I’ll drive you back.”

Jade shook her head. “We’re at a hotel right around the corner. We can walk. Don’t worry about

us.”

Bastian watched her, sensing the distance she was trying to maintain. He stepped closer, staring deep into her eyes.

“First you land in my city without a word, and now you won’t even tell me where you’re sleeping?”

Jade met his gaze for two silent seconds before looking away. “It’s not like that.”

“Then let me drive you.”

Realizing he wasn’t taking no for an answer, Jade reluctantly allowed him to escort them to the hotel.

Bastian stopped at the entrance to the lobby, his expression uncharacteristically grave.

“Jade, Faronne isn’t as safe as Kingston. Do not go out alone at night. Call me the second anything feels off-I don’t care where I am, I’ll come.”

Seeing how serious he was, Jade straightened her back.

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Chapter 344 The Encounter

“I will.”

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“Also, the local food here can be… hit or miss. I doubt your stomach will handle it well. I’ll have some home-style comfort food delivered later. I have business to handle now, but I’ll see you tonight.”

“Right. See you then.”

Bastian watched Jade enter the building, then turned and headed for his car.

As he walked, a dozen professional security operatives appeared from the shadows, forming a silent perimeter around the hotel.

Inside his car, Bastian leaned back, the gentle smile he’d worn for Jade replaced by a mask of ice.

Anderson, who was behind the wheel, cleared his throat. “Sir, word is Ms. Merchant has landed. The timing is terrible. If the Matriarch finds out-”

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