Joe hung up, knowing Carl's ease would be assured if he learned of his time with Yvette.

After they left, Yvette emerged from the shower to find Jeremiah by the window. His tall, imposing figure projected an air of aloofness, even from behind. Hearing her footsteps, he turned, casually taking a towel and looking down at her. His deep, unreadable eyes flickered with an indefinable emotion.

Water glistened on Yvette's fair neck, her smooth skin shimmering alluringly. Jeremiah averted his gaze, gently drying her wet hair. His eyes never left her as he softly asked, "Why did you agree to help Damian train the Seventy-Two Chambers?"

He wasn't curious about her Deadlock connection; rather, Damian's success in persuading her intrigued him.

Yvette met his gaze calmly. Looking at his handsome face, she said coldly, "A debt of gratitude. He saved my life years ago." It was the only time she'd lost control of her body's toxins, spiraling into a frenzy. Damian had saved her then. An eye for an eye, a favor for a favor—that was her creed.

Jeremiah's grip tightened. 'A debt of gratitude?' he thought. 'It sounds simple, but the truth must be far more complex.'

Further questions were unnecessary. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her waist tightly; his silence spoke volumes.

Nestled in his embrace, Yvette felt a warmth she'd never known. From birth, his arms were the only place that felt like home.

The next afternoon, several men in black arrived at the hotel, proceeding directly to Yvette's floor. A door opened from within; the leading man, along with the others, bowed respectfully, greeting, "Mr. Yoder."

Joe nodded. "I didn't expect you so quickly."

An hour later, the hotel was cleared. Only Yvette, Jeremiah, and their associates remained.

The door opened again; Joe emerged, impeccably dressed in a custom-made black suit and polished shoes. His demeanor had shifted from yesterday's casualness to one of cold, calculated authority, followed by the black-clad men.

Samantha, Emmett, Charles, and the Eagle King watched Joe's transformation. Clothes made the man, certainly, but as soon as he spoke, they saw he was still the same.

"Your charming boy's back, Yvette," Joe said.

Jeremiah handed Yvette water, glancing at Joe with a raised eyebrow. Under his gaze, Joe felt timid once more.

An elegant middle-aged man, Felix, stepped from behind Joe, bypassing the others to approach Yvette. He bowed. "It's been a while, Ms. Zeller. I apologize for the trouble with Mr. Yoder's situation. Mr. Carl Yoder asked me to thank you and extend an invitation to visit the Yoder family should you come to Mysonna."

Felix's humility was striking; he'd served Carl for years without showing such deference.

Yvette sipped her water, her expression and gaze as cold as ever. "Sure," she replied to his words, a simple nod.

The single word seemed to satisfy Felix immensely; a "yes" from her was rare.

Samantha, Emmett, and the Eagle King marveled. 'He represents Carl, yet her attitude… she dismissed him with a word and didn't offend him?' they thought.

Felix clapped; a bodyguard stepped forward carrying a black box. He smiled politely at Jeremiah, though less deferentially than to Yvette. 'The grandson of the Clusian general is no ordinary person,' he thought.

"Thank you for helping Mr. Yoder yesterday, Mr. Jeremiah Chavez," Felix said. "Mr. Carl Yoder is extremely grateful. This box contains a gift for you and Ms. Zeller, wishing you both a lifetime of happiness."

Samantha wasn't surprised. She thought, He's worked for Carl long enough to know how to deliver a message with finesse. And Jeremiah's unlikely to refuse the blessing and gift. A simple gift wouldn't merit a second glance.

Jeremiah understood Carl's unspoken message. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on the box, and replied with a calm nod, "Tell Mr. Carl Yoder I appreciate it."

Emmett accepted the gift. Felix then instructed the bodyguards to distribute gifts prepared for Samantha, Charles, Emmett, and the Eagle King.

Turning back to Yvette and Jeremiah, Felix repeated, "Ms. Zeller, Mr. Jeremiah Chavez. Mr. Carl Yoder eagerly awaits your visit to Mysonna. He hopes to thank you both personally one day."

He then turned to Joe. "We should leave, Mr. Yoder."

Joe, regretting his haste in contacting his family, pouted. He stepped forward. "Yve… I mean, Yvette, contact me next time you're in Mysonna."

Yvette offered a small smile. "I will. Go home now."

Joe nodded to Samantha, Charles, and the others before leaving with Felix.

Samantha opened her gift. Emmett, the Eagle King, and Charles did the same. A diamond necklace gleamed from Samantha's box. She examined it, then glanced at the others. "Oh my goodness, only Carl would give away a fifteen-million-dollar diamond piece like it's nothing."

Emmett's box held a snuff bottle; its condition and craftsmanship suggested a value similar to the necklace.

Charles's gift was an antique gun, a rare collector's item.

The Eagle King found a simple note: "We're even now."

Yvette's gaze darkened as she observed the gifts.

Charles murmured, "In one night, Carl unearthed everyone's background and preferences. His strength is no joke."

The gifts perfectly matched their tastes, except for the Eagle King's, which puzzled him.

Samantha, intrigued, stared at the gifts, especially Yvette and Jeremiah's. "What do you think Carl chose for you two?"

Emmett, Charles, and the Eagle King put down their gifts, eyes fixed on the remaining box. If Carl showed such extravagance with them, surely Yvette and Jeremiah's would be exceptional.

Jeremiah picked up the box, unwrapping it. Inside was a plain box containing matched gemstones shaped like a dragon and a phoenix. Decent quality, but worth at most twenty-five million dollars.

They exchanged confused glances. 'Carl's gift for the couple is quite unexpected, given his usual extravagance.'

Jeremiah's phone rang; it was Jase. He frowned.