The moment she disappeared down the stairs, one of the men turned toward Valen’s office.
He knocked twice.
“Come in.” The door opened.
The man’s expression was serious.
“We have a problem.” Valen didn’t even look up from the documents on his desk.
“What kind?” The man’s expression hardened.
“The FBI.” Valen’s eyes slowly lifted.
“What about them?” “They found one of our routes.” The room immediately fell silent.
Valen leaned back in his chair.
“Which one?” “The eastern route.” His expression darkened.
That route was one of Black Rose’s most carefully protected routes.
“How?” “We don’t know yet.” Valen’s fingers tapped slowly against the desk.
“Then find out.” The man hesitated.
“There’s more.” Valen looked at him.
“What?” “We found two dead men near the warehouse this morning.” “Identities?” “Not ours.” “Then whose?” The man placed a photograph on the desk.
Valen picked it up.
His eyes narrowed.
“FBI.” Silence settled over the room.
“They were undercover,” the man continued.
“We’ve confirmed it.” Valen placed the photograph back on the desk.
“How long?” “We believe they’ve been investigating Black Rose for months.” A cold smile appeared on Valen’s lips.
“So they finally found one of our routes.” “Yes.” “And now they think they’re getting close.” “They are.” Valen stood slowly.
“Then let them think that.” The man frowned.
“Boss?” “We don’t change anything.
We don’t cancel the shipments.
We don’t move the weapons.” He walked toward the window.
“If they are watching Black Rose, I want them watching exactly what we want them to see.” The man’s expression changed.
“You’re setting a trap?” Valen glanced over his shoulder.
“I’m giving them one.” The man nodded.
“And the girl?” Valen’s expression immediately hardened.
“What about her?” “She knows nothing about Black Rose.” “She shouldn’t.” The man hesitated.
“If the investigation gets closer to this area, we may have to move some of our operations.” Valen turned toward him.
“No.” “Boss?” “She stays out of this.” He glanced toward the door.
“She doesn’t know what Black Rose is.
She doesn’t know what we do.
And she doesn’t need to.” The man nodded.
“Understood.” Valen’s expression remained cold.
“Whatever happens, she is not to be involved.” “Yes, boss.” “And make sure no one brings anything related to Black Rose anywhere near the house.” “Of course.” The man turned to leave.
Valen stopped him.
“One more thing.” “Yes?” “If the FBI is investigating our routes, find out how they got that information.” His voice dropped.
“Because if someone is talking…” His eyes became dangerously cold.
“I want to know who.” “And for the FBI..
we’ll remind them why Black Rose has remained untouchable for this long.” The door closed.
Valen remained alone in his office.
For years, the world had known the Da Costa family as a powerful and legitimate family.
Businessmen.
Investors.
Philanthropists.
No one knew what existed beneath that respectable name.
Black Rose.
And now, the FBI want discovering it.
After breakfast, Isadora went upstairs to get ready for university.
She had barely finished putting her books into her bag when she heard a knock on her door.
“Come in.” The door opened.
Valen stood there.
She looked at him through the mirror.
“What?” “You’re leaving in ten minutes.” She turned around.
“And?” “You won’t be going alone.” Isadora frowned.
“What do you mean?” Valen stepped aside.
Two men in black suits were standing behind him.
Isadora stared at them.
Then at Valen.
Then back at the men.
“No.” Valen raised an eyebrow.
“No?” “This is ridiculous.” “They’re going with you.” “To university?” “Yes.” She stared at him as if he had completely lost his mind.
“You’re sending bodyguards with me to class?” “They’ll keep their distance.” “That’s not the point!” She threw her hands in the air.
“I’m going to university, Valen.
Not into a war zone.” Valen’s expression remained calm.
“You don’t get to decide that.” “Excuse me?” “You’re living under my roof.
Until I know you’re safe, you don’t go anywhere alone.” Isadora crossed her arms.
“I’ve been going to university alone my entire life.” “And now you’re not.” She narrowed her eyes.
“You’re controlling.” “I know.” “At least you’re self-aware.” Valen ignored the remark.
“You’ll have two guards.” “Two?!” “Yes.” “One wasn’t enough?” “No.” “Three, then.
Maybe ten.
We could start a whole security company while we’re at it.” One of the guards lowered his head, clearly trying not to smile.
Valen noticed.
“Something funny?” The man’s expression immediately became serious.
“No, sir.” Isadora rolled her eyes.
“This is absurd.” She grabbed her bag and walked past Valen.
“I’m not having two giant men following me around campus.” “They won’t follow you inside your classes.” She stopped.
“Really?” “They’ll stay outside.” She looked at him suspiciously.
“Why are you suddenly being reasonable?” “Don’t get used to it.” She sighed.
“Fine.” She pointed at him.
“But if anyone at university asks, they’re not my bodyguards.” “What are they, then?” Isadora thought for a second.
“My… extremely unattractive friends.” One of the guards coughed.
Valen stared at her.
“Get in the car.” She smiled sweetly.
“Yes, wicked man.” Valen’s jaw tightened.
“Stop calling me that.” “No.” She walked away.
Midnight appeared at the end of the hallway and meowed.
Isadora pointed at him.
“See you later, baby!” Valen looked at the cat.
He was already regretting this cohabitation.
.
.
Isadora arrived at the university with the two men Valen had assigned to protect her.
The moment she stepped onto campus, she immediately noticed the looks.
Students were staring.
Whispering.
Some were even turning around to get a better look at the two men following her.
Isadora felt incredibly uncomfortable.
She lowered her head slightly and lifted her book in front of her face, trying to hide behind it as she walked.
This is ridiculous.
She had never been this embarrassed to walk into university before.
As she reached the main building, she heard a familiar voice.
“Isa!” Isadora looked up.
Tsubaki was walking toward her, looking confused.
She glanced behind Isadora at the two men in black.
Then back at her.
“Isa… who are those men following you?” Isadora didn’t even hesitate.
“My men.” She said it with the most sarcastic expression possible.
Tsubaki’s eyes widened.
“Your men?” “Yes.” Tsubaki looked at the two bodyguards again.
“Are you already in a mafia gang?!” Isadora burst out laughing.
“What?!
No!” She grabbed Tsubaki’s arm and pulled her closer.
“You haven’t been coming to school lately.
I have so many stories to tell you.” Tsubaki immediately became interested.
“Okay, tell me everything.” Isadora glanced around to make sure no one was listening.
Then she leaned closer to Tsubaki’s ear and whispered, “I saved Valen Da Costa one night.” Tsubaki froze.
“…Which Valen?” Isadora blinked.
“What do you mean, which Valen?” Tsubaki grabbed her shoulders.
“You mean Valen Da Costa?
The eldest son of the Da Costa family?” She practically squealed.
“That sexy, handsome, ridiculously rich man?!
That Valen Da Costa?!” Isadora stared at her.
“How many Valens do you think I know?” Tsubaki’s mouth fell open.
“You’re kidding me!” “No.” “You’re serious?!” “Yes.” “ISADORA!” Tsubaki grabbed her arm and started shaking it.
“YOU SAVED VALEN DA COSTA?!” Isadora covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing.
“Keep your voice down!” Tsubaki immediately lowered her voice, but her excitement didn’t disappear.
“Oh my God…” She looked at the two bodyguards again.
Then back at Isadora.
“Girl…” Isadora sighed.
“What?” Tsubaki leaned closer.
“Why does the eldest Da Costa son need you?” Isadora’s smile slowly disappeared.
“That…” She glanced toward the men Valen had assigned to her.
“…is a very long story.”