CHAPTER 19

The Thorn Residence, located in the city center, shone brightly like a high-hanging mirror, resembling a holiday resort with its colorful lights.

Well-trained bodyguards in black suits patrolled back and forth.

Dylan hurriedly climbed the expensive ebony staircase, admiring the exquisite carvings on the handrails that displayed a subtle luxury without any ostentatious design.

Sebastian didn't fancy Western-style buildings. Instead of the flashy yet shallow Western-style architecture, he preferred the understated, stable, and atmospheric Cheshian-style buildings. The first floor was designed in a purely Western style to accommodate the high ceiling of the living room, while the second floor blended Cheshian and Western elements, with Cheshian elements taking precedence.

Walking through the long corridor, Dylan knocked on the study door and, upon receiving permission, entered.

"Mr. Sebastian, Mr. Sam."

The uncle and nephew were seated on the sofa, engrossed in their work, with several folders spread out on the heavy rosewood desk.

Sam was pouring tea for his uncle, Sebastian, when he noticed Dylan's intriguing expression.

It could be described as such.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "What's the matter?"

Dylan replied, "Our guy was discovered by that girl."

Sebastian and Sam exchanged glances.

Sam questioned, "Discovered?"

How is that possible?

"Just now, when the girl left, she spotted our guy." Dylan found it hard to believe.

Since it was personally ordered by Sebastian, he naturally couldn't afford to be careless. The people he selected were all highly skilled and adept at avoiding detection, yet they were discovered by an ordinary female student.

Sam inquired, "Was she scared?"

Dylan looked even more surprised. After choosing his words carefully, he said, "I believe it's our guy who should be scared."

Sam was momentarily stunned, but when he saw Dylan's expression, he almost burst out laughing. However, he managed to hold it in because Sebastian was present.

To cover up his embarrassment, he remarked to Sebastian, "She truly is a clever girl."

Upon hearing the news initially, Sam was also taken aback. However, considering Hedy's intelligence and courage, he didn't find it too surprising that their underling was discovered by her.

Dylan added, "Yes, so our guy revealed his identity and purpose to her to prevent any trouble for her."

Sebastian inquired, "And then? What did she say?"

However, Dylan was looking at Sam, his face filled with hesitation, as if contemplating whether or not to reveal it.

Observing this, Sam quickly asked, "Did she mention me?"

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of anticipation.

He had never encountered such an interesting girl before and was genuinely curious about what Hedy would say about him.

"Yes." Dylan pondered for a moment, then relayed Hedy's words verbatim, "She said, and I quote, 'So the Thorn family's money is all spent on hiring bodyguards.'"

Sam questioned, "What does that mean?"

Sam didn't understand at all, but he heard Sebastian ask, "How much money did you give her?"

Prompted by Sebastian, Sam seemed to grasp her meaning. "150 thousand."

"I knew it."

Sebastian remarked, "No wonder she said that all our money is spent on hiring bodyguards."

This was a roundabout way of accusing Sam of being stingy.

Sam remained silent.

"I was afraid of scaring her, and besides, 150 thousand is not a small amount for a teenage student."

Sebastian didn't respond but turned to his assistant and asked, "Did she ask for money?"

Dylan shook his head. "No, she didn't say anything else."

If Hedy had requested more money at that time, the Thorn family had no reason to refuse, but she didn't.

This made both Sam and Sebastian regard her with more respect.

Seeing that the two of them were falling silent, Dylan inquired on behalf of his subordinates, "Should our people continue to protect her in secret?"

Since they had been completely exposed by the other party, it was a bit… Dylan felt embarrassed for his subordinates.

Sam replied, "Of course. She is intelligent but lacks martial arts skills. We must ensure her personal safety."

Realizing that he had been too anxious and had lost his composure in front of his elder, Sam immediately looked at Sebastian, who had yet to speak.

Seeing that Sebastian's expression remained unchanged, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Sebastian gave a slight nod to his assistant, signifying tacit approval.

Dylan agreed, but he had a strange feeling that Hedy didn't require their protection. However, he didn't dare to voice this absurd thought.

Sam began to regret not insisting on going to Norwood City to meet Hedy in person that morning.

Realizing that Sebastian's gaze was fixed on him and aware of his own absent-mindedness, Sam quickly gathered his thoughts and covered up with a remark, "She truly is an extraordinary girl."

Sebastian remained silent.

"Yes, she is extraordinary and not as simple as she appears."

Her decisive and somewhat individualistic demeanor inexplicably reminded him of the genius assassin who died in the sea.

However, the two were worlds apart, with no basis for comparison.

Xavier, holding a copied math problem, knocked on Hedy's door.

"Sis, can you solve this problem?"

Hedy took it, examined the problem, and her eyebrows raised slightly. "Where did you get this problem?"

The problem was particularly tricky but quite intriguing.

"It was created by the head of Raven University and several professors last year. Apparently, they couldn't solve it themselves, so they posted the problem online to see if anyone could solve it."

"The head of Raven University personally promised that any student who could solve this problem would be granted direct admission to Raven University, with their choice of major. For adults, they could choose any position at Raven University. Many math enthusiasts attempted it, but none could provide the correct answer. They all got stuck halfway through the problem. Even James, who is renowned as a math genius, couldn't solve it after pondering for half a year."

Due to his leg injury, Xavier had to exert more effort than anyone else. He had no friends or hobbies, so he dedicated all his passion and time to his interest in mathematics.

He was self-studying first-year university-level math and had acquired some relevant knowledge in advance for this particular problem. However, every time he attempted to tackle it, he found himself at a loss.

Xavier had been eagerly anticipating the release of the solution by the math prodigy, James.

However, half a year had passed, and there was still no news.

Last month, James publicly shared the initial part of the solution, but it was still far from reaching the final answer.

At that moment, Xavier believed that if even James couldn't solve it, there might not be anyone in the world capable of doing so.

But now, he felt that the answer he had been waiting for half a year was finally within reach.

Hedy didn't disappoint Xavier. She took the notebook with the problem written in it and confidently stated, "Give me half an hour."

"Half an hour?" Xavier's eyes widened, making sure he hadn't misheard. It couldn't be half a month or half a year, right?

Xavier realized that he had been widening his eyes frequently lately.

Before Xavier could inquire whether she meant half a month or half a year, Hedy closed the door and began working on the problem.

Observing this, Xavier's initial skepticism gradually transformed into anticipation, and then excitement, causing his heart to beat faster and faster.

He decided to stay put and wait by the door, refusing to go anywhere.

He continuously checked his watch, counting every passing minute and second.

The room fell into silence, interrupted only by the occasional sound of pages being turned, making time feel unbearably long.

Finally, on Xavier's umpteenth time checking his watch, the door suddenly swung open, and Hedy stood there, holding his notebook.

Before Hedy could question why he was waiting by the door, Xavier hastily asked, "Did you solve it?"

Hedy handed him the notebook.