2026-02-18 15:51:45
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Chapter 524: Bella's Fever!
The black SUVs arrived at the cottage fifteen minutes after the convoy disappeared down the winding mountain road. They came in force, six vehicles, twelve men, all in tactical gear, their weapons drawn and ready.The lead operative named Cross who had been with Don Lewis for years, gave the signal. His team fanned out around the perimeter, moving with practiced efficiency. Breach. Clear. Secure.The front door was unlocked.Cross pushed it open, his weapon raised, his eyes scanning the empty room. The cottage was silent and still. A fire had burned down to ash in the hearth. The kitchen counter still held a plate of half-eaten cinnamon rolls.But no people. No Harts. No one."Clear," one of his men called from the bedroom."Clear," another echoed from the kitchen.Cross lowered his weapon, his jaw tightening. He moved through the cottage slowly, taking in the bare walls, the empty bookshelves, the places where frames had hung for decades, leaving only ghost outlines in the dust."The
Chapter 523: We'll Build You A New Home!
Whitaker's fingers flew across his phone screen, his heart pounding as he typed the message that would change everything.Chen is Lewis's mole. She knows about the cottage. Evacuate everyone. Now.He hit send and watched the message disappear into the ether, praying Copper would check his phone in time.***At the cottage, Copper's phone buzzed on the kitchen table.He was in the middle of a conversation with James about the next steps when the vibration cut through his thoughts. He glanced at the screen, and the color drained from his face."Everyone, listen to me!" Copper's voice cut through the easy morning chatter like a blade. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him. "We have to leave. Now."Andrew set down his coffee cup. "What's going on?"Copper held up his phone, his hand steady despite the urgency in his voice. "Whitaker found the mole. It's Deputy Director Chen. She's been feeding information to Don Lewis. He knows where we are."The silence that followed was absolute
Chapter 522: A Mole Within The CIA!
The drive to CIA headquarters was long, giving Whitaker too much time to think. About Samantha's recovery. About the Harts' bond. About the looming threat of Don Lewis and the Phoenix. About Copper's warning that Peniel's betrayal might not be isolated.He parked in his designated spot and made his way through security, nodding to familiar faces. But something felt off. The glances from passing agents were too quick, too careful. The whispers stopped when he approached.By the time he reached his office, he knew something was wrong."Director Whitaker."The voice came from behind him. He turned to find Deputy Director Margaret Chen standing in his doorway, her expression cold and professional. She was a sharp woman, early fifties, with the kind of eyes that missed nothing and the kind of smile that never reached them."Deputy Director Chen." Whitaker kept his voice neutral. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"Chen stepped into his office, closing the door behind her. "We need to talk ab
Chapter 521: That Won't Change, Miles!
The evening unfolded like a gentle dream.After the cinnamon rolls were devoured and the kitchen cleaned, everyone drifted into the main room of the cottage. Andrew found an old guitar in the corner and, after some prodding, played a few chords—badly, according to Hailey, who then took it from him and played beautifully. "Where did you learn to play like that?" Andrew asked, genuine awe in his voice.Hailey shrugged, a modest smile playing on her lips. "Music lessons as a kid. Self-taught, mostly."Andrew shook his head slowly, then a mischievous grin spread across his face. "You know, I have to give you your flowers."Hailey raised an eyebrow, still playing. "My flowers?""Yeah." Andrew leaned back, crossing his arms with exaggerated smugness. "Here I was, heroically attempting to entertain everyone with my terrible guitar skills, and you just casually sit there and show me up like it's nothing."Hailey laughed, the sound bright and genuine, mingling with the last notes of her song.
Chapter 520: Tell Them The Truth!
The kitchen door creaked open again, and Sophia stepped inside, her eyes still slightly red from her earlier tears but her face peaceful. Jackson followed close behind, his hand briefly touching her shoulder in a gesture of quiet support."Something smells amazing," Sophia said, her voice soft but warm.Hailey beamed. "Cinnamon rolls. Fresh out of the oven." She pulled the baking sheet from the oven, the golden-brown rolls glistening with icing. "Grab a plate."Celestine appeared in the doorway moments later, drawn by the aroma and the laughter. She still looked tired, but there was a lightness in her movements that hadn't been there before. "Did someone say cinnamon rolls?"Within minutes, the small kitchen was crowded with Harts and their loved ones, all reaching for rolls, passing plates, and filling the space with easy laughter. James told a terrible joke that made Nancy groan. Andrew stole a bite of Hailey's roll and got his hand slapped. Jacqueline discovered she had a competit
Chapter 519: Kitchen Pettiness!
All three of them turned to find James standing in the kitchen doorway, his hair still tousled from sleep, his eyes blinking in the bright light. He looked from Nancy to Andrew to Hailey with the confused expression of someone who had woken up in the middle of a conversation.Nancy's face lit up. "James! Perfect timing." She crossed to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek, leaving a faint smear of flour. "We're making snacks. Your favorite."James blinked again, then sniffed the air. Recognition dawned on his face. "Are those—are you making cinnamon rolls?""Among other things." Nancy beamed, pulling him into the kitchen. "Sit. You look like you need sugar."Andrew snorted. "He always looks like he needs sugar. It's his default state."James ignored him, sliding onto a stool at the small kitchen island. "I'm not going to argue with that assessment. What did I miss?"Hailey slid the baking sheet into the small oven and turned to face them, wiping her hands on a towel. "Not much. Evans
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