Chapter 296 Inviting Isa
Alison stared at Osborne, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Mr. Augustine, did I hear you
right? Is this
some kind of joke?”
ou I wouldn’t let your hard you. Osborne smiled softly, the kind of smile that radiated wannth. “You heard me correctly, Alison. It’s a gift for you. I told work go unnoticed. Take it; you deserve it. After all, you’re one of my most valuable team members now. We need to make some serious profit together.”
With that, he gently pressed the box into her hands, leaving her utterly speechless.
Gazing down at the blue scepter, she felt a shiver run through her, her body trembling suddenly. Tears began to well up, and before she could stop herself, they cascaded down her cheeks.
Setting the wooden box aside, Alison sprang into Osborne’s arms, holding him tightly. “Mr. Augustine, I’m over the moon!
“It’s not just about the beautiful jewelry. It’s the kindness you’ve shown me! I once said that if someone gifted me something like this, I’d do anything for them.
“Well, I, Alison, swear that I’m yours from now on!
I’ll work m
my fingers to the bone to earn money for you, Mr. Augustine!
“Even if you have other requests, I’m all in!
“Really!”
Alison lifted her head from his shoulder, her eyes glazed with tears yet shining with a mix of shyness and hope.
Osborne stood frozen, his arms awkwardly suspended in mid air, unsure of where to place them.
“Uh, could you, maybe, let go of me first before we continue this chat?”
“I’m not letting go!”
Alison shook her head vigorously, her cheeks flushed. Instead of pulling away, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a light kiss on his cheek
Then she added, “Mr. Augustine, you’re the best! You’ve given me such a precious gift, and I just don’t know how to repay you. Maybe I could…”
Her face turned even redder as if she were weighing a big decision.
Before Alison could finish, Osborne hurriedly covered her mouth with his hand.
“Okay, stop right there! Alison, I simply wanted to reward an employee. Let’s not make this awkward and give anyone the wrong idea!
“Just focus on managing Luna Jewelry and the diamond mine. Making money for me is your way of repaying this kindness. Now, I have to go, so you should get some rest!”
With that, Osborne hastily packed the three wooden boxes into his Dimensional Space and practically bolted out of the shop.
Alison watched him flee, stunned.
She thought, “I’ve practically thrown myself at him, offering to be his anything, and there he goes running away?”
“Bad Mr. Augustine!” Alison whispered, pouting briefly before bursting into a giggle, her face softening with tenderness.
treasure.
Gently, she picked up the blue scepter, marveling at its beauty as though it were the most exquisite tre
Meanwhile, Osborne made his somewhat chaotic exit from Luna Jewelry, finding his way back to the Institute of Human Research, where Isa was coaching Zoe through her training regimen.
“Osbonie!”
Zoe’s face hit up when she spotted Osborne, her voice ringing through the room like a bell.
“Focus on your training! Don’t get distracted!” Isa chimed in, scolding her lightly.
Zoe immediately stuck her tongue out in response, clearly feeling the reprimand.
Iss turned her attention to Osborne, her eyes narrowing playfully. “You might want to wipe that lipstick stain off your cheek.”
Osborne felt his free heat up as he suddenly remembered that Alison had left her mark on him during that unexpected embrace
He thought, “Goodness, that girl was bold!”
Isa teased, a mischievous grin spreading across her face, “What’s this? Your little girlfriend has been whisked away, and yet here you are, back just three days later with a lipstick kiss? Living the good life, aren’t you?
“Already moved on from your girlfriend?”
Osborne let out a weary sigli, saying. “It was i
s just a little mix–up! I was handing out some benefits to the employees, and one of them got a bit overzealous and kissed me on the cheek. I swear, I didn’t do anything!”
Isa said, “Yeah, yeah, no need to explain yourself!
“What you do is your own business, not like you’re my concem or anything.
“Are you here to say goodbye? Listen, I have to warn you. Dampston isn’t exnetly Skyefall. When it comes to geography and economic development, Dampston is miles ahead..
“Not to mention, the
on, the power and influence of Dampston’s factions are way stronger.
“You’ve got to be extra careful while you’re there. Remember, you still owe me a promise, so don’t go off and get yourself killed too easily.”
Osborne, hearing Isa’s underlying concern, felt a warmth spreading through
He chuckled, “Thanks for worrying about me, but this s isn’t a farewell visit.”
Isa raised an eyebrow, her surprise palpable. “Not saying goodbye?
him.
“What’s up? Have you given up? Don’t you want to head to Dampston and get your little girlfriend back? That’s not the Osborne I know.”
He replied calmly, “Of course, I’m not backing down!
“But I also don’t want to say goodbye to you. I’m actually here because I want to invite you. I could really use your help on this trip to Dampston.”
“Really? You want me to go with you?” Isa’s expression shifted to one of disbelief.
She frowned slightly and retorted, “Why on earth would I go to Dampston to help you? Who do you think I am, your sidekick or something? It’s dangerous there, and I’m doing just fine here. You shouldn’t even…”
Before she could finish her sentence, her words
hung in the air as Osborne suddenly opened his Dimensional Space, pulling out two items. One of them was a stunning sword sheath adorned with flawless diamonds, catching the light with a glimmer that could make anyone’s heart race.
The other was…