Chapter 296: Chapter 296: His Disciple Is a National Treasure, Certain People Should Know Their Place

「One week later.」

The experiment was over, and Old Master Sloan had long since recovered.

This experiment had comprehensively simulated deep-space exploration, and the data was excellent. Everyone was thrilled.

Meanwhile, Jaden Rhodes’s early identification of the person behind the base fire had saved the investigation a significant amount of time. NASA contacted the Madorian police, who issued a global warrant for the Amethyst Panthers’ leader, Eamon, and launched a severe crackdown on the organization.

Eleanor Crawford, representing Cathan, also put pressure on the Madorian police, demanding they apprehend the suspect by a deadline, or Cathan would intervene by force.

It was the first time Sophia Shaw had seen Eleanor Crawford be so decisive and ruthless. She was stunned.

Once the Madorian police officers left, she walked over and gave her a thumbs-up. "Eleanor, you were so formidable just now. I almost didn’t recognize you."

Eleanor Crawford blushed, a little embarrassed. "Really?"

"Really." Sophia Shaw showed her the video she had recorded.

Eleanor Crawford saw herself in the video, looking spirited and sharp-eyed.

’Is... Is that really me?’

If she hadn’t seen the video of herself, Eleanor Crawford would have almost forgotten that she had survived her days of wandering the streets by daring to fight and struggle.

The day her grandmother found her, she was fighting with a much larger beggar over scraps of food.

Whenever her grandmother brought it up, she would laugh, saying Eleanor had been baring her teeth like a little wild beast.

She said it was precisely that wild streak in her that made her want to take her home and raise her.

Later, when she vaguely heard that her grandmother intended to match her with Miles Grant, a budding romance bloomed in her young heart.

When she saw that the girls around Miles Grant were all poised and gentle, she tried her hardest to be just like them.

She had molded herself into the version Miles Grant liked best, but in the process, she had forgotten even the instinct for self-preservation.

A jolt went through Eleanor Crawford’s heart, as if she had been struck by something.

It was painful, but her mind was suddenly clear.

She squeezed Sophia Shaw’s hand. "Thank you for taking this video for me. I’ve suddenly realized something. For the rest of my life, I want to be myself."

Right in front of Sophia Shaw, Eleanor Crawford made a call. "Commander, I’m requesting to join the evacuation mission in Baros!"

"Why the sudden desire to go to Baros? You know that an evacuation mission is extremely dangerous; you could run into trouble at any moment. Eleanor, I urge you to think rationally. It’s best to stay in the country and continue with your current work," the person on the other end advised.

"I’ve already thought it through." Eleanor Crawford’s tone was firm. "I’m not afraid!"

"Why don’t you discuss it with Miles Grant?"

"There’s no need!"

Seeing her so determined, the other person didn’t press further. "Let’s discuss this properly when you get back."

"Understood."

Sophia Shaw was also taken aback by Eleanor Crawford’s sudden decision to go to Baros, and for an evacuation mission no less.

"Eleanor, you’re not doing this as some kind of revenge because Miles Grant hurt you so badly, are you?"

"Of course not!" Eleanor Crawford shook her head with a smile, looking radiant. "Didn’t I just tell you? I want to be myself."

"Right now, I’m stuck in a cushy, meaningless desk job. This kind of work is not what I’ve ever wanted. It’s a decision Miles Grant made for me so I could ’balance family life.’"

"Faye, I want to make my own decisions and do what I love most. And what I love is being on the front lines!"

Sophia Shaw watched her quietly.

The light sparkling in Eleanor Crawford’s eyes was fervent and vibrant—a light she had never seen in Eleanor before, but had seen in countless others who had found their passion.

"I grew up on the streets. The fight for survival on the streets is what truly gets my blood pumping. I belong in those turbulent places!"

"Okay, I support you!"

’There was no reason not to support her.’

Sophia Shaw leaned in and hugged her. "But, Eleanor, you have to promise to protect yourself."

"Mm."

They would be leaving soon. Sophia Shaw had already drafted a charity plan for the local area, which had received Old Master Sloan’s approval.

The two decided to find the regional director for a preliminary discussion before they left.

Jaden Rhodes, who had just finished meeting with the police, heard she was looking for the regional director and said with a smile, "Perfect timing. I know the local language, so I can translate for you."

"Really? That’s wonderful!" Sophia Shaw excitedly grabbed Jaden Rhodes’s hand. "We were just worrying about that."

"I never would have guessed Brother Jaden could speak the language here."

Jaden Rhodes chuckled, glanced at Vincent Grant walking over with Old Master Sloan, and rubbed his nose, subtly pulling his sleeve back.

But the man’s sharp gaze still landed on his wrist, intense enough to pierce right through it.

Old Master Sloan walked awkwardly beside Vincent Grant, his expression still cold. As they approached Sophia Shaw, he even quickened his pace to put some distance between them.

He immediately clarified, "I wasn’t the one who told him to come!"

He was afraid his little disciple would get angry.

His little disciple was a capable assistant he had gone to great lengths to recruit. In the field of deep space, no one was more professional than her. He couldn’t afford to offend her.

Vincent Grant silently watched the man who had been passionately discussing current events with him in the car just moments ago suddenly treat him like a stranger and put on a pitiful act for Sophia Shaw.

When he turned to look at Sophia Shaw, his eyes held a trace of accusation and grievance.

Sophia Shaw didn’t meet his gaze, indulging the childish old man’s antics. She said, "Mr. Rhodes has offered to translate for us, which saves us a lot of trouble."

"Excellent." Old Master Sloan also had a high opinion of Jaden Rhodes.

He had identified the mastermind behind the base arson in such a short time, far outclassing those so-called experts from Mador.

’As expected of someone Vincent Grant knows. They’re all extraordinary.’

’Pah!’

’Why am I even thinking about Vincent Grant!’

The three of them started walking outside.

Eleanor Crawford picked up her walkie-talkie. "Team One, all personnel listen up! Provide strict protection for Old Master Sloan and Miss Shaw. There can be no mistakes!"

In the blink of an eye, Old Master Sloan and Sophia Shaw were surrounded by a dozen tall, strapping young men armed with loaded guns.

The two of them were speechless.

Eleanor Crawford said apologetically, "My apologies, you two. Faye is basically a national treasure of Cathan now. The higher-ups gave orders that not a single hair on her head is to be harmed, so..."

Far from being angry, Old Master Sloan chortled proudly. "Of course she is! How could a disciple I taught be anything less?"

He deliberately shot a glance at Vincent Grant. "Speaking of which, my disciple is a national treasure who needs protection whenever she goes out. Certain ordinary people should have a little self-awareness and stay out of the way!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Admiration was one thing, but he couldn’t forget the pain this man had caused his little disciple.

Vincent Grant silently pressed his lips together, as if he hadn’t heard the warning. His gaze remained locked on the slender, soft figure surrounded by special forces soldiers.

"That’s right. How long has it been since our Faye left a certain someone? And now she’s a national treasure," Levin Sawyer remarked, having appeared at some point, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"Goes to show that certain people shouldn’t have been in her life in the first place. If it were me, I’d stay far, far away, so as not to hold her back."

Of course, Sophia Shaw didn’t hear Levin Sawyer’s comments. She and Old Master Sloan were climbing into a tank.

Yes, a tank.

As the tank rumbled away majestically, Levin Sawyer remembered his promise to Sophia Shaw to apologize to Vincent Grant.

So, he said, "By the way, thank you for saving Faye and our mentor last time. My attitude that day was terrible. I’m sorry."

The corner of Vincent Grant’s mouth twitched.

’His attitude was terrible that day, and it’s not much better today.’

"Saving them was my own business. There’s no need for President Sawyer’s thanks."