"But it seems like you and Mr. Styles know each other quite well?"

Chloe was slightly taken aback, not expecting Jasper to still be concerned about this.

Looking at his earnest eyes, Chloe let out a soft laugh. "I exercise in the mornings, and Mr. Styles and his teammates often run on the apartment paths for their training. We just got to know each other over time."

After she spoke, Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Is there anything else Mr. Shaw would like to know?"

Chloe’s delicate voice tickled his ear as she leaned close.

The moment Chloe leaned in, Jasper’s whole body tensed. He could smell her faint, fresh scent.

He realized he’d said too much and rubbed his nose, trying to conceal his inner fluster.

"Just asking."

Even so, Jasper was still in a good mood today.

He reasoned that Chloe and Shawn Styles had only met a few times, and she had never brought another man back to her apartment.

Most importantly, she had even hinted at inviting him back.

And so, the usually stern and impassive Jasper Shaw wore a faint smile.

When Ian Winters rushed back to pick Jasper up for overtime, he found his boss holding a cup of coffee and chatting cheerfully with Miss Sinclair, a doting look in his eyes.

As someone who had just gone through a breakup, the scene left a sour taste in Ian’s mouth.

"Ahem."

Though he hated to shatter the pleasant atmosphere, Ian couldn’t help but clear his throat, drawing the gazes of both Chloe and Jasper.

Before Ian could even speak, he saw Jasper, who had been all smiles just a moment ago, shoot him a sharp glare.

Instantly, his scalp tingled, and a chill ran down his spine.

Ian braced himself and said, "Boss, should we head back to the office now?"

There was a mountain of urgent work waiting. If they didn’t go back now, it would just pile up for tomorrow.

Jasper didn’t say anything, which only made Ian more nervous.

After a long moment, Jasper downed the coffee in the glass before him and said in a low voice,

"We’re going. Why wouldn’t we be going?"

And so, Ian could only follow Jasper back to the company, trembling with apprehension.

The gray Bentley sped down the road.

The atmosphere around Jasper turned instantly glacial, and he radiated a palpable chill.

"Have you found the bodyguards?"

Ian’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, and his stomach was suddenly in knots.

"Not... not yet."

Jasper frowned. "What’s the problem?"

Ian was suffering in silence. "Boss, maybe you could lower your standards a bit?"

The salary Jasper offered was incredibly tempting. If Ian himself met the criteria, he would have applied for the job.

"Boss, we’ve contacted all the major bodyguard agencies. We really haven’t found anyone suitable."

Jasper’s requirements were completely insane.

The bodyguard was required to have a world-class award, be strictly between the ages of thirty and thirty-five, and even meet certain standards for their appearance.

Forget the security agencies; even Ian had never heard of such requirements for hiring a bodyguard.

When he had first presented the list of requirements, the head of the security agency had looked at him like he was a complete idiot.

As a result, Ian still hadn’t found a suitable candidate.

He just didn’t dare say all this so bluntly.

After he finished speaking, he glanced nervously at the rearview mirror.

He saw his boss in the back seat, silently staring down at his leather shoes, seemingly mulling over the issue.

"Then just find a few able-bodied, average-looking bodyguards to watch the lab."