AN: This chapter marks the beginning of Volume 2: The Truth.

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February 10th.

Scarlett touched down at the private airport in Royal City, the capital of M Country.

Before she arrived in this city, Scarlett had been making extensive preparations for her sudden move.

She had asked her headquarters to set up a branch of the RAS in this royal city, giving her a legitimate reason to stay here while keeping track of her parents' whereabouts.

Furthermore, her loyal assistants, Cruz and Logan, had already settled in the city to oversee the establishment of the RAS office since early January.

And Scarlett felt immense gratitude knowing that Xander would be occupied with his European business ventures. This meant he would also stay with her for a few months. 

For Xander, there was no need to relocate his office to this country since the main branch of Riley Group in Europe was already situated in Royal City. As the owner, he had designated office spaces in all Riley Group offices, eliminating the need for a physical move.

During their time in this city, they would reside in one of the Riley Mansions located in the Royal Garden. 

This property complex was reserved for the royal family, the country's wealthiest individuals, and a select few influential figures from around the world. Acquiring a property there was no easy feat. Xander considered himself fortunate to have obtained it through his connection with his best friend, Theodor Parker.

"Babe," Xander gently held Scarlett's hand as their Rolls-Royce sped towards the Royal Garden. "Do you visit this town often?" he asks.

Scarlett shifted her gaze from the passing scenery to Xander and shook her head. "Not frequently, only twice. My previous visits were for work, so I didn't have the chance to explore the city."

She recalled her previous trips, where she had merely passed through the city after disembarking from the plane. They would proceed to the Fox base camp at the city border and stay there before moving on to another country. Her work primarily kept her in the control room at the base camp, and she rarely had the opportunity to be out in the field.

"I see," Xander nodded, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "Now that we have plenty of time to stay in this place, I'll make sure to accompany you," he said sincerely.

"That's wonderful! I can't wait to explore this city with you," she replied, her voice filled with excitement.

...

Their car soon entered the Royal Garden, and Scarlett was left in awe. She had never been to this place before, and it appeared to be a stunning oasis in the city's heart.

A luxurious Royal Garden nestled in the heart of the city greeted her eyes. The sprawling estate boasted a magnificent house adorned with intricate architecture and was enveloped by a stunning garden. 

As she glanced around, her gaze fell upon a golf course and a serene lake, adding to the enchanting beauty of the Royal Garden. The scene before her surpassed even the splendor of their residence in Cloudfort city in their country.

She felt excited to stay in this place.

However, something added to her excitement besides their house location; It was the fact that she had someone like Theodor Parker. 

That foolish guy, Theodor, had been in constant contact with her, checking in almost every day to inquire about her needs and report on the progress of the RAS branch office. It was thanks to him that the company had been established so swiftly. 

Having such an influential person like Theodor in this country was a significant advantage. Within just a month, her company was settled. RAS officially opened its office in this country a week ago. The office is located in the middle of the city, not far from the Riley Group building.

'But where is that foolish Theo? Why hasn't he picked us up at the airport?' Scarlett found it odd since the man had been enthusiastic about their arrival, promising to be there. 'Is he busy?' she wondered.

Scarlett glanced at Xander as she put aside her thoughts about Theodor. She asked, "Xander… When you come to this city, do you stay in this place?"

"No, I always stay in the R Hotel, located beside the Riley Group building," Xander replied, stealing a glance at her. "The house we will be staying in is quite spacious. I feel lonely living there all by myself..."

"So, this is your first time staying here?"

"Yes! Let's consider the house as our honeymoon home. We'll have our second honeymoon here, babe..." Xander chuckled as he noticed her widened eyes. 

Scarlett swiftly diverted the conversation to avoid further flirtation. "Oh, by the way, does Theodor also live in this area?" she asked curiously, aware that Xander had purchased a property in the Royal Garden with Theodor's assistance.

"Absolutely," Xander replied, gesturing towards the house they had just passed. "That's his house, right next to ours."

Before long, their car turned into an expansive courtyard. It took a few minutes to drive from the gate before finally arriving at a modern three-story house with a classic facade. The sight of the house and the beautiful garden left Scarlett in awe; it was truly breathtaking.

"Summer in this place can't come soon enough!" Scarlett mumbled.

"Indeed. This Royal City rarely sees snow. It might happen once every five years, and even then, it's usually short-lived, occurring in December or January," Xander explained.

"I see. No wonder the flowers in the garden are blooming," Scarlett observed, pointing to a meticulously arranged flower garden nearby.

"Yes," Xander smiled. "Alright, babe, let's go inside." He extended his hand, and Scarlett was momentarily stunned as her attention quickly fell to the sight of a dozen house staff standing by the entrance, ready to greet them.

"Alright, let's go!" Scarlett responded, following Xander. However, just as they were about to enter the house, the sound of a car approaching caught their attention.