"Please, just follow my instructions!" Xander's serious tone left Scarlett stunned. It was the first time he had spoken to her like this, and the first time he abruptly ended the call before her.

'Is he angry?' She shook her head and put aside her curiosity. She instructed Logan to pull over.

"Ma'am, why did you ask me to stop?" Logan inquired, glancing back with a confused expression.

"Well, I'm just as curious as you..." Scarlett stopped when she saw a black car coming toward them—a very familiar car, the same car that had picked her up at the airport the day before. Her heart beat faster, realized that the car was Xander's car. 

"Oh, my goodness... I guess your master is furious, Logan. We're in trouble," Scarlett muttered, flashing a bitter smile as she observed the car coming to a halt right in front of them.

Logan, unaware of the presence of a Rolls Royce, had stopped their car a few meters ahead and was taken aback when he laid eyes on it.

"Damn it! Why is Master Xander here?" Logan stammered, his voice filled with surprise.

"Why did he suddenly show up? You guys alerted him too soon, didn't you?" Scarlett sighed deeply, her gaze fixed on Xander as he emerged from the backseat and made his way toward their car.

"Oh no, he's definitely angry," she whispered under her breath. Even though his sunglasses concealed his eyes, she could sense he was in a bad mood.

Scarlett swiftly stepped out as the car door opened, greeting Xander with a wide smile. "Hubby, why did you come?" she innocently asked.

However, Xander gave Scarlett the cold shoulder. He didn't answer her; instead, he exchanged a few words with Logan. Then, he took her hand and led her to his car. After ensuring she was safely seated, he settled into his seat beside her.

The Rolls Royce started moving, and with the partition separating them from the driver and bodyguards, Scarlett anxiously glanced at him and waited for whatever Xander wanted to say.

Yet, several minutes passed without him uttering a word. He averted his gaze outside the car but kept holding her hand firmly. 

Scarlett was rendered speechless as she looked at their intertwined hands. After a few more seconds, she took a deep breath before speaking up, "I'm sorry, Xander. Please don't be angry with me. Those lowly assassins were no threat to me. They will never hurt me. You have to trust me!"

Xander turned his head to meet her worried eyes. "Of course, I trust your ability, babe. I'm not angry. But right now, I'm considering sending someone to confront your wicked uncle. How dare he send someone to follow you? I've heard they have plans to kidnap you!?"

Scarlett was left speechless by his words.

"Xander, are you really not angry with me?" she asked repeatedly, yearning to hear the sincerity in his response.

"Hmm, why would I be angry with you?" Xander reassured her with a gentle smile, pulling her onto his lap and encircling her slender waist with his arms.

"I know my wife is far from being a weak girl..." Xander continued, burying his head in her neck to breathe in her familiar and sweet scent. "...but please, take care of yourself. I cannot bear the thought of losing you, Scarlett Piers!" he whispered in a barely audible voice.

Scarlett was taken aback by his final words, and as his embrace tightened, it tugged at her heartstrings. She could sense his deep concern and fear at that moment.

'Have I been too selfish, causing him to worry like this?' Scarlett's conscience weighed heavily upon her.

Several times, she attempted to speak, to find the right words to comfort him, but they remained trapped behind her lips. It felt as if her tongue had betrayed her.

"I will," Scarlett managed to whisper. Only those words could escape her lips. She could do nothing more than hold him tightly, cherishing their embrace in complete silence. They found solace in each other's warmth.

After a while, Xander gently released his arms from around her and pulled back slightly to gaze into her eyes.

Relief washed over him as he saw the love reflected in her gaze. "It's already past lunchtime. Let me take you to a nice restaurant," he said.

Scarlett nodded. A smile appears on her lips. "Where are we going? I'm starting to feel slightly hungry again," she remarked, amused at the thought of having finished her porridge at a Chinese restaurant just a few hours ago and already feeling hungry once more.

"You'll see," Xander replied, placing her head on his shoulder.

Scarlett nestled in his embrace, trying to fit her body perfectly against his. She felt a sense of warmth and safety enveloping her in his arms.

Scarlett recounts the incident to Xander for the rest of the trip, holding nothing back. She revealed how The Gold Team will tail her, expressing her confusion about whom Jude Withers intended to capture.

"Xander, who do you think that person might be?" she asked, seeking his perspective.

"Babe, are you genuinely asking or just seeking reassurance?" Xander raised an eyebrow, finding it obvious that Jude Withers intended to capture Scarlett's mother.

"I honestly have no idea!" Scarlett replied, desperately searching for any clues.

"If I'm not mistaken, Jude Withers has deployed his best people to capture your mother..." Xander's voice remained calm and composed. 

Scarlett felt a surge of tension coursing through her body as she sat up straight, meeting Xander's gaze. 

"Remember, his goal was never to harm you directly. He wanted to draw your mother out of hiding... and so..." Xander continued.

"Oh, my god! How could I forget about that?" Scarlett took a deep breath, lightly slapping her forehead in frustration.

"What are your plans now?" Xander asks, observing Scarlett lost in deep thought as if thinking something important.

After a brief pause, Scarlett responded, "I have a plan. However, I need to discuss it with Uncle Noah first."

Xander nodded understandingly. "Yes, you should. After all, he has a better understanding of the situation there." 

"By the way, Xander... Have you received any news from James regarding his investigations in X Country?" Scarlett asked curiously. She hasn't heard any updates from Xander or Rex about their cooperation in carrying out the investigation.

"Actually, we have our people already infiltrated as staff within the Withers household and their underground operations. It's only a matter of time before we acquire valuable information about what goes on there," Xander explained.

Scarlett was taken aback by what she heard. "Y-You've placed spies inside?" she asked, astonished. She had anticipated a conventional investigation, never expecting Xander to go that far for her sake.

"Babe, of course! We're dealing with the Withers, a family that has reigned over the underworld of Country X for nearly a century. Even the government wants nothing to do with them," Xander reassured her with a smile.

"I understand, but please ensure their safety. I don't want any more casualties on account of me..." Scarlett's voice trembled, her eyes growing misty as thoughts of her late father, Jonathan Piers, and Aunt Lana, as well as the others, filled her mind.

Even though a month had passed, the tragedy had left an indelible mark on her heart and mind. Recalling the horrific incident still caused her deep pain.

"Yes, babe! Don't worry," Xander reassured her, gently caressing her warm cheeks. "That's why we're not acting hastily. We have our people blending in with them, patiently waiting for their reports. We're taking our time. However, we'll slowly uncover crucial evidence that will make it impossible for Jude Withers to escape his crimes, ensuring he is detained forever..." He explained their grand plan to Scarlett.

It was the first time Scarlett had heard of Xander and Rex's extensive plan, and she was astounded to learn that their objective extended beyond capturing and detaining Jude Withers. 

They aimed to eradicate the entire dark business of the Withers family from X Country. Moreover, they joined forces with the Special Forces from X Country under the leadership of Alex Hill.

Xander and Rex's plan far surpasses Scarlett's simpler intention of sending the wicked Jude Withers to the depths of hell. The contrast amused her as she realized the depth and breadth of their strategy.

...

Not long after, they arrived at the seaside. Scarlett is surprised to know Xander brought her to the luxury restaurant. The place was bustling with visitors.

"This is the finest seafood restaurant around," Xander explained as he assisted her out of the car. "You're going to love their grilled lobster, babe," he continued.

Scarlett was taken aback by the sight of the restaurant hall, packed with visitors. There were no empty tables available for them to dine in. However, Xander confidently entered, ignoring the other guests who were still waiting in line at the entrance.

"Xander, should we wait in line?" Scarlett asked, her confusion and embarrassment growing as she heard murmurs and whispers from the people behind them.

Xander smiled, his gaze fixed on her. "I've already reserved a private room for us," he replied. At that moment, a slender man with glasses approached them, politely smiling at Xander.

"Mr. Riley, welcome... Your VIP room is ready. Please follow me. I will lead you to your room," the man said, his smile extending to Scarlett before leading them to the second floor.