167: Isabella

Ron and the others stood up one after another, bowing as they exited the conference room.

The heavy oak door closed again.

Only Leonardo and Isabella remained in the conference room.

“Grandpa...” Isabella held her grandfather's hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement, “Can I really go to Dragon Country?”

“Of course.” Leonardo affectionately patted her head, “My little princess has grown up; it's time for her to see the outside world.”

He took out an exquisite pocket watch from his coat, opened it, revealing a yellowed old photograph inside.

The photo showed a gentle-eyed Dragon Country woman wearing a cheongsam.

“Sixty years ago, Grandpa also went to Dragon Country.” Leonardo's gaze drifted slightly, “It's a very beautiful place, and the people are very unique...”

He put away the pocket watch and looked at Isabella: “Remember, when you go to Dragon Country, keep a low profile. You can use your Colton Family identity, but don't be too ostentatious. Wang Chen doesn't like arrogant people.”

“Mhm!” Isabella nodded vigorously.

“Also,” Leonardo thought for a moment, “take Helen and William with you to protect you. Furthermore, keep the family's private jet on standby, and return immediately if there is any danger.”

“I know, Grandpa!” Isabella threw herself into his arms, kissing him on the cheek, “I promise I won't disappoint you!”

...Two hours later, Isabella lifted her skirt and fluttered out of the conference room like a beautiful butterfly.

As she walked, she said to the maid behind her, “Hurry! Go help me pack! I want to bring that blue dress! And those glass slippers! Oh right, what season is it in Dragon Country now? How many clothes should I bring?”

The maid followed behind her, a smile on her face too: “Miss, it's early summer in Dragon Country right now; the weather is very warm.”

“Then I'll bring several more dresses!” Isabella's eyes were full of anticipation, “I'm going to meet the legendary Dragon King! I heard he's especially handsome!!”

Watching her cheerful figure retreat, Leonardo, standing at the conference room door, showed a meaningful smile.

Leaning on his cane, he walked to the window and looked out at the castle garden.

“Wang Chen...” he murmured softly, “The Dragon King who shocked the world... I look forward to the day you call me Grandpa.”

Hangzhou City, 9:30 AM the next day.

Just as Wang Chen finished discussing the island matter with Chen Long in the study, Xia Qingcheng knocked on the study door.

“Come in.”

Xia Qingcheng pushed the door open and entered. Today, she had changed into business attire: a white shirt paired with a black hip-hugging skirt, her hair tied into a neat ponytail, and light makeup on her face, making her look both capable and refined.

“President Wang, Jiaxuan just contacted me.” She walked up to the desk, “She wants to meet us at ten o'clock this morning at the coffee shop next to the Chenxi Grand Hotel.”

Wang Chen glanced at the time: “The same one where we met last time?”

“Yes.” Xia Qingcheng nodded, “She said it's safer there because of the high foot traffic, and it's close to your territory, so we can respond immediately if anything happens.”

Wang Chen smiled: “This girl is quite cautious.”

He stood up: “Let's go, let's meet your good sister.”

Ten minutes later, Wang Chen and Xia Qingcheng arrived at the coffee shop by car.

It was still the same private room as last time, with Chen Long dutifully waiting at the door.

When they pushed the door open, a woman was already sitting inside.

She looked about twenty-five or six, wore black-rimmed glasses, a simple white T-shirt and jeans, her hair casually tied into a bun, and no makeup, appearing very plain.

Seeing Wang Chen and Xia Qingcheng enter, Gu Jiaxuan immediately stood up, her body slightly tense.

“Jiaxuan.” Xia Qingcheng walked over and took her hand, “Don't be nervous, this is Mr. Wang.”

Gu Jiaxuan scrutinized Wang Chen, her eyes full of appraisal.

Wang Chen didn't mind; he sat down casually and told the waiter, “Three Americanos, please.”

Only after the waiter left did he look at Gu Jiaxuan: “Sit down, don't stand.”

Gu Jiaxuan hesitated but eventually sat down, though her eyes constantly darted toward the nearby door, looking ready to flee at any moment.

“Jiaxuan is quite... cautious,” Xia Qingcheng explained beside her, “She's been like this throughout the two months we've been on the run.”

“I understand.” Wang Chen nodded, “After being hunted for so long, caution is a good thing.”

He looked at Gu Jiaxuan: “I heard Qingcheng say you are a hacker?”

Gu Jiaxuan pursed her lips: “Sort of.”

“Sort of?” Wang Chen raised an eyebrow.

“I... I mainly work in network security and data analysis.” Gu Jiaxuan adjusted her glasses, “Hacking... that's just a hobby.”

Xia Qingcheng couldn't help but laugh beside them: “Jiaxuan, don't be modest. You broke through twenty-eight of the Colton Consortium's thirty-two firewalls by yourself.”

Gu Jiaxuan blushed and glared at Xia Qingcheng.

Wang Chen became interested: “Oh? That formidable?”

“It was alright,” Gu Jiaxuan whispered, “Mainly because their system was too old and had too many vulnerabilities.”

The waiter delivered the coffee, and the three temporarily paused their conversation.

Once the waiter left, Wang Chen continued: “Since you are so capable, why are you being hunted so severely?”

Gu Jiaxuan's expression darkened: “Because... I trusted people too much.”

She picked up her coffee, took a sip, and then slowly said: “I worked in Colton's technical department for five years, always believing I was contributing to world peace. They told me the titan project was for developing more advanced medical technology, and the Ark Project was for addressing global climate change.”

“Until two years ago, I accidentally accessed the core data...” Her voice trembled slightly, “I realized that the titan project was developing genetic weapons, and the Ark Project... was building underground bunkers to prepare for nuclear war.”

Wang Chen's expression became serious.

Nuclear war?

What exactly does this Colton Family intend to do?

“I wanted to report it, but I found out that the entire high command of the Consortium knew about it.” Gu Jiaxuan gave a bitter smile, “Then I was put on the purge list. If Qingcheng hadn't helped me, I would have become a test subject long ago.”

Xia Qingcheng held her hand: “It's all over now. We are safe here in Dragon Country, under President Wang's protection.”

Gu Jiaxuan looked at Mr. Wang, her eyes filled with both anticipation and anxiety: “Mr. Wang, can you truly protect us? The Colton Family... is very powerful.”

“No matter how powerful they are, they are in Europe,” Wang Chen said calmly. “This is Dragon Country, and this is my territory.”

He paused, then added: “Moreover, I have already established cooperation with Qingcheng. Since you are her friend, you are now one of my people. As long as you don't betray me, I can guarantee your safety.”

Gu Jiaxuan stared at Wang Chen for a long time, seemingly judging the truthfulness of his words.

Finally, she took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply to Wang Chen.

“Thank you, Mr. Wang.”