Chapter 286

Aiden had been wondering the whole time what kind of expert Landon had brought in. But it wasn’t really his place to ask. He and the others weren’t exactly friends. If it hadn’t been for Kayla, they would’ve just been enemies. Now, the fact that they were actually bringing him along for this mission made him feel oddly flattered. Suddenly, he remembered his brother had once said that where there were groups, there was exclusion, and no one liked being left out.

‘Does this mean I’m part of the group now?’ That thought alone made Aiden’s heart flutter with joy. It was like an abandoned kid suddenly getting a piece of candy, and it felt especially sweet. As Aiden was lost in his thoughts, the car suddenly came to a stop.

From a car parked ahead stepped out a woman dressed in black slacks, with a high ponytail.

‘A woman?’ Aiden rubbed his eyes and looked again. She was tall and skinny, with long limbs that made her stand out. Every move she made was sharp and confident. Maybe it was the suit, but from the side, she looked so slim it was hard to tell front from back at first glance. Her skin was almost unnaturally pale, and her delicate features had a kind of sickly beauty. But at the same time, she exuded strength and resilience.

“Damn! Can’t believe they managed to get her here!” Tuff exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

“Who is she?” Aiden asked curiously.

Tuff declared with pride, “Night Owl.”

“I see…” Aiden muttered, eyeing Night Owl from afar. He had expected Landon’s backup would be someone formidable, but it turned out to be such a frail-looking woman. With how slender she looked, a stiff breeze might just blow her away. Aiden doubted she could help them take on the Mystic Sect.

“Don’t underestimate her. She’s insanely good!” Tuff rubbed his hands together, barely able to contain his excitement.

Aiden didn’t think showering another woman with compliments in front of your partner was an appropriate thing to do at all.

“Tuff, keep it together,” he reminded him with a frown.

Tuff waved him off, not bothered at all. “You just don’t get it! Night Owl is someone even the Flying Tiger Sect couldn’t hire, no matter how much money we offer. She’s that good.”

“How good?” Kayla finally spoke up.

Though she was curious about Night Owl’s abilities, it still bothered her to hear her husband rave about another woman like that. Aiden glanced at Tuff too, just as curious to find out what made Night Owl so impressive.

Tuff shot him a glare and thought, ‘This brat! Trying to stir up drama between me and my wife? Not gonna happen.” So, he leaned in and whispered something to Kayla.

Kayla’s eyes went wide, her voice shaking with disbelief. “R–Really?”

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?” Tuff grinned.

Kayla’s face lit up with excitement. “Then we’ve got a real shot at winning this.”

“Kayla, what can she do?” Aiden couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer.

Before Kayla could answer, Tuff grunted, “Not telling you.”

Aiden was rendered speechless.

Just then, Landon and Night Owl came over. The way the two of them were chatting and laughing together gave them a renewed sense of hope. Once they were in the car, Landon introduced her to the group.

Up close, Night Owl’s looks were even more striking. With a delicate, cool elegance and a hint of androgyny, her whole demeanor gave off a chill. It was as if she wore a layer of ice, keeping everyone at a distance. But despite that sickly, fragile appearance, this woman possessed some truly incredible hypnotic powers. Tuff had said Night Owl once hypnotized seven people at the same time, keeping total control of the situation and helping them survive a life-or-death crisis. That kind of ability was nothing short of a miracle. Kayla couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at her.

“Mrs. Prescott, why do you keep staring at me?” Night Owl asked bluntly.

Kayla felt a bit embarrassed. “Your beauty is… really unique.”

“Poor health, a bit sickly,” Night Owl replied lazily.

“Maybe Dr. Mitchell can take a look at you when this is over,” Kayla offered, already treating Night Owl as one of their own.

Night Owl gave a faint smile, as fleeting as a wisp of cloud. “He already has. It can’t be cured.”

Kayla felt silent, wondering, ‘Did I just hit a sore spot?’

“Alright, since you’re not in good shape, just talk less,” Landon chided softly, with a hint of protectiveness.

Kayla’s brow creased a little tighter.

Night Owl really did stop talking, leaning against the window to rest.

Aiden was the only one who was still clueless about Night Owl’s abilities, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit left out. ‘I just joined this little group, and they’re already sidelining me? Hmph!’ Aiden grumbled inwardly.

Just then, the car radio reported, “Breaking news. A flight bound for Norava experienced technical failure and was forced to make an emergency landing. Injuries have been reported, but details remain unknown.”

Night Owl, who had been resting with her eyes closed, cracked one eye open. “That was the flight meant to kidnap you, wasn’t it?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Landon nodded. “But now, the tables have turned.”

“Interesting,” Night Owl said softly. She let out a faint smile, her icy gaze drifting over Aiden, almost absentmindedly.

Chills ran down Aiden’s back. He hurried to explain, “The Kington Gang has nothing to do with the Mystic Sect.”

“I know. Otherwise, I would’ve killed you already,” Night Owl replied coolly, then shut her eyes to rest again.

Aiden tensed up inside, but that feeling quickly gave way to anger. He grumbled to himself, ‘Seriously, what did I do to deserve that attitude from her? Who does she think I am? Some pushover she can just take out easily? Hmph!’

“Alright, get some sleep. I’ll wake you when we arrive,” Landon said, putting an end to the conversation.

Night Owl shifted, turning her back to Aiden.

Aiden frowned annoyedly and turned to look out the window.

Everyone in the car was busy with their own last-minute preparations for the coming battle. Landon phoned home, his voice gentle. “Honey, how’s everything at home?”

“All good,” Amelia answered, watching Daniel on the terrace entertaining Kimsey. It gave her a headache. ‘His own wife had run off pregnant, yet he doted on his little nephew to satisfy his fatherly instincts?’ Amelia thought.

“You sound like you’re sighing,” Landon said, instantly sensing her mood.

Amelia said, “Daniel and Maisie are both still staying at the house. They just won’t leave.”

“Isn’t that good? With them there, I feel more at ease,” Landon said with a smile. “By the way, do you know the final location of Joanna and Marvin?”

“Pinecrest,” Amelia answered.

“Really? Huh…” Landon let out a soft chuckle.

He rarely lost control of his emotions, so Amelia asked curiously, “Why are you laughing?”

“Your father is in Pinecrest too,” Landon said.

“What?” Amelia was shocked. “I never knew! Didn’t you say he used to watch over my mom’s grave, and after you all found out, he moved somewhere else?”

“He did move, but then he went back. He just wants to stay away from worldly affairs, so I didn’t expose him,” Landon explained.

“So, that means…” Amelia’s heart started pounding.

Though everything had been cleared up, and both the Zuckerberg and Hughes families openly accepted her, she had still not met her biological father. ‘Doesn’t he want to see me, even once?’ Amelia wondered, a bittersweet ache in her heart.

“He feels he failed you and your mother and wants to spend his life at the cemetery to atone,” Landon said. “I think Joanna has figured out he’s in Pinecrest.”

As worry gripped her, Amelia’s voice tightened. “What if she tries to hurt my dad? I need to go there.”