Chapter 212
Following the sound, Miranda turned her head towards the door. Beck’s expression shifted dramatically as soon as he recognized the man standing at the entrance.
The man had a brooding and cold look about him, and from the moment his eyes fell on Miranda, they were attached to her, softening slightly, losing some of their icy edge.
Beck sprang to his feet. “Elian.”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence before the man strode into the room with long, purposeful steps. There was an imposing aura about him, something that felt like a mountain advancing with each stride, demanding respect and a hint of fear even before one could clearly see his face.
After Elian confirmed that Miranda was unharmed, his gaze turned frosty as he addressed Beck, his grim voice carrying an unmistakable threat and interrogation. “What exactly is your plan here?”
Beck cleared his throat slightly. “Uhm.” he barely started as he suddenly shot a quick glance at Miranda as if reminded of her presence. He didn’t use Elian’s full title, instead opting for a more formal address. “Mr. Ashcroft, rest assured, I fully respect her decisions.”
Elian let out a cold chuckle. “Kidnapping someone off the street is what you call respect?”
Upon learning that Miranda had been intercepted by military personnel, Elian had rushed over immediately. He knew just how much they wanted to find her, akin to dogs catching the scent of a juicy steak.
Their methods were all too familiar to him. They claimed everything was voluntary, but in truth, they employed every tactic to coerce people into working for them. Even a refusal wouldn’t deter them.
He was quite aware of their tactics. On the surface, they called for respect and willingness, but actually they’d pull all the efforts to brainwash the targets until they were persuade to work for them. Even if they refused, those people never backed down.
Caught red–handed, Beck awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Well, technically, she wasn’t kidnapped here; we were doing her a favor.”
Miranda narrowed her eyes slightly. It was clear Beck held a significant position, yet he seemed to tread lightly around Elian, suggesting Elian’s rank or influence was superior, or perhaps Elian was simply not someone to cross lightly.
Hence, this man resorted to avoiding head–on confrontation. Moreover, they appeared to know each other well.
Elian’s brows furrowed at Beck’s words, and he glanced at Miranda for confirmation. Miranda nodded.
“Yes, they did help me out of a tight spot.”
Even though she would have managed without their intervention, dealing with those people would have been a major hassle.
In a society governed by law, handling assassins as an ordinary citizen could lead to complications – unless she had some medical liquid with her to dissolve the dead body. In her previous life, she had often prepared for such encounters, but here, she hadn’t developed the same habits yet.
After all, she was still under the radar in this world, not attracting the same deadly attention as before. Unlike in the previous world, there would always be people trying to off her.
Elian’s frown deepened as he looked from Beck back to Miranda. “Are you two done talking?”
Though he addressed Miranda, it was clear his question was directed at Beck. Béck chuckled. “Oh, we’re just getting started. We haven’t even had a proper chat yet.”
Miranda raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips as she looked at Elian. The man, who usually sported a stoic demeanor, seemed momentarily at a loss under her amused gaze.
1/2
16:17
Chapter 212
After composing himself, he shot her a warning look but maintained his cool facade
“Fine,” he said, his voice steady. “I’ll just sit here until you’re done.”
With that, Elian took a seat right where Beck had been sitting, and Beck seemed unable to do anything about it. His subordinates exchanged uncertain glances but followed Beck’s lead, unwilling to challenge Blart’s
presence.
Elian’s ability to walk into this place spoke volumes about those people’s fear towards him, and besides, the assumed he must have the access to do so.
Otherwise, such a secure, highly–regulated and strictly stationed facility, it’d be impossible for Elian to enter
Miranda remembered clearly the numerous checkpoints she had passed to get in, and her curiosity about Elian’s true identity only deepened.
She had long suspected he had ties to the military, it wasn’t hard to guess. His body bore the marks of a life far from pampered, with scars from gunfire and old wounds. Despite his attempts to hide it, he cared an undeniable air of someone who had survived the battlefield, a quality that no suit could completely disguise.
