Runze's POV
The quiet hum of the engine and the soft crunch of tires against the gravel mark our departure from the estate.
Behind us, a black car carrying four of our private security guards pulls out at a discreet distance, their headlights trailing smoothly behind our car as we merge onto the main highway leading out of the city.
Bael sits beside me in the back seat, still looking slightly dazed. He has his wool coat unbuttoned, his long legs stretched out into the footwell.
"I still can't quite believe Shen Rui went along with this," Bael murmurs, leaning his head back against the leather headrest. "He had a full binder of talking points prepared for tomorrow's dinner."
"He was hesitant at first," I smile, unzipping the tote bag Mrs. Wen packed for us before we left. "But once I told him Grandmother supported it and that she'd be handling the formal side, he agreed right away."
