Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter 35
Ivor stood frozen, staring at the Rolls-Royce as it pulled away. His mind raced. He had thought he recognized the man who had been waiting by the car, but it couldn’t have been Jim Ray. Jim was Ms. Bonita’s top bodyguard, and there was no reason he would be with Bonnie. It was probably just a mistake on his part.
Inside the Rolls-Royce, Jim’s voice was tinged with concern as he asked Bonnie, “How was everything? Did anyone from the Knight family treat you badly?”
Bonnie couldn’t help but chuckle at his question. “Do you think I’d let anyone be mean to me?”
Jim didn’t seem to relax, even though Bonnie had answered lightheartedly. “Did Ivor do anything to you? Was he mean to you?”
Bonnie’s smile faded slightly, but she still answered with casual indifference. “He treats me like he would anyone else. Not exactly hostile, but not exactly friendly either.”
“That’s fine, then,” Jim said, his expression easing a little.
“Oh, speaking of, he did help me out of a tight spot just now,” Bonnie added, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“What happened?” Jim’s concern deepened again.
Bonnie recounted the events at the Knight family’s house in detail, watching Jim’s expression darken with each word. His face became more stern, his anger clearly building as she spoke.
“I can’t believe Halle and Rowena tried to pick a fight with you,” he muttered, his voice tight with frustration. “Leave it to me, Bonnie. I’ll charge them with treason for humiliating a national researcher!”
Bonnie shot him a teasing look. “Don’t use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, Jim. There’s no need to involve you in this. Besides, I already taught them a lesson.”
Jim’s brow furrowed. “You let them off too easy!”
Bonnie shrugged, not looking overly concerned. “I had to show some restraint. Sigmund is Halle’s grandfather, after all. If it weren’t for him, I would have been a lot harsher.”
Jim’s frown deepened as he locked eyes with Bonnie. “You need to tell me if anything like this happens again. Your safety is the nation’s top priority.”
Bonnie gave him a reassuring smile. “Alright. I’ll let you know immediately if I get into trouble again.”
But Jim still didn’t seem convinced. “Maybe I should just stay with the Knight family. That way, I can protect you more easily.”
Bonnie raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curving her lips. “No way. You’d expose my identity to the whole world if you did that. I’ve hidden my identity for a reason. It’s not about keeping a low profile; it’s about having some peace and quiet.”
She sighed, her tone becoming more serious. “I don’t want to deal with reporters or paparazzi every time I step outside. I don’t want to cause traffic jams just because I want to buy food or go shopping. I just want some privacy, that’s all.”
Jim shook his head stubbornly. “But those petty characters in the Knight family will always cause trouble for you. I believe you can handle them, but what good am I as a bodyguard if I can’t protect you?”
Bonnie’s expression turned firm. “I said no. End of discussion.”
Jim’s lips tightened as he stared at her, but eventually, he relented. He lowered his gaze, a plan forming in his mind.
After a full day at the research institute, Bonnie returned to the Knight family’s residence. As she entered the courtyard, she immediately noticed something different. Dozens of bodyguards stood scattered around the area, all wearing sunglasses.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Alfred, the butler, answered. “It hasn’t been safe in Pyralis lately. There have been reports of burglaries in mansions and villas. The criminals are so bold that they’ve been robbing people in broad daylight. Mr. Ivor ordered us to hire some highly skilled bodyguards.”
Bonnie nodded, absorbing the information. “I see.”
As she cast a casual glance at the bodyguards, one man in particular caught her attention. He was tall, easily six-foot-five, and something about him seemed familiar, though she couldn’t place him. She had the nagging feeling she had seen him before.
Alfred noticed her gaze and suggested, “You should head to your room, Ms. Bonnie. I’m going to test the new recruits. It could get violent, and I’m worried it might upset you.”
Bonnie merely waved him off. “It’s fine. I’ll watch the tests.”
Alfred hesitated, then remembered Bonnie had fought Ms. Maisie during the engagement party and realized she wasn’t one to be easily upset by a little rough training.
As the bodyguards prepared for the tests, Bonnie found a spot and took a seat, watching intently. The tall man among the bodyguards glanced at her briefly, his eyes quickly scanning her, but he didn’t let his gaze linger for too long.