Promise Nelson left Violet Residence No. 1 with Campbell Watson, her expression icy and her entire demeanor radiating a "stay away" vibe.
She couldn't believe her dad had forced a male bodyguard on her—yes, a personal, 24/7 bodyguard.
This meant that this stranger would be moving into her private villa, invading her life. The thought of having a strange man's eyes on her all the time made her feel uncomfortable and annoyed.
"Campbell Watson, right? Listen up. I only agreed to my dad's request to keep him from worrying. It's just a temporary measure. I don't need a bodyguard, got it?"
Promise said as she drove her dad's Porsche, barely out of the villa gates, eager to lay down the law with Campbell, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
"Got it," Campbell replied casually, while admiring the luxury car.
Promise shot him a surprised glance.
She had expected a lot of back-and-forth, but he agreed so easily.
Well, that was good. It would make parting ways easier and less awkward for everyone.
"Okay, where do you want to go? I can drop you off," she offered, feeling a bit better about the situation. It was rare for her to offer a ride.
But Campbell's next words froze the smile that had just started to form on her face.
"Of course, to your villa at Sandalwood Palace. Your dad said I should protect you 24/7."
Campbell emphasized "24/7" and "personal" with a deliberate tone.
"Are you messing with me?" Promise's eyebrows knitted together, her voice cold with a hint of anger.
Was this guy serious? Was he making fun of her?
"Miss, protecting you is my duty. Until the contract expires, I will strictly follow it. Do you understand?" Campbell Watson said firmly.
Promise Nelson took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger. She asked coldly, "Fine, then tell me, how much did my dad pay you?"
"That's confidential. I can't disclose that."
"You... Fine. How about this? I'll give you an extra million. You can do whatever you want, and I'll cover for you. My dad won't know you didn't fulfill the contract. OK?"
Promise parked the car under the shade of a tree and turned to Campbell, offering him the deal directly.
"You're insulting my profession," Campbell replied, raising an eyebrow and rejecting her offer seriously.
Promise smiled faintly, showing the confidence of a businesswoman. She said slowly, "Getting paid twice and doing nothing—such opportunities don't come often. You should think it over."
"Miss, do you know how much I earn for a single mission abroad? At least five million dollars, and I take jobs based on my mood," Campbell said with a smirk.
Hmph... So he just wants more money, Promise thought with a cold smile. She had initially believed her dad's bodyguard might be different, but now she saw he was just like the others.
"Three million, that's my final offer," Promise said coldly, losing the last bit of respect she had for Campbell.
"Deal. Here's my bank card. Transfer the money," Campbell replied.
As soon as Campbell Watson heard "three million," his face lit up with a smile. He quickly pulled out a recently issued bank card and handed it over.
Promise Nelson felt a strong disdain for him but didn't say anything. She simply took out her phone and transferred the three million.
"The money's been transferred. Now get out."
"Tsk tsk, rich people sure are generous. Just like that, three million. Thanks a lot," Campbell said, grinning from ear to ear as he carefully put away his bank card.
Over the years, all the commissions he earned had been taken by his old master.
This bodyguard job was just his master's way of repaying a favor to Magnus Nelson, and he didn't get a single cent. He had less than fifty bucks left and was worried about money. Now, with just a few words, he had swindled three million. No more worries about living expenses.
Promise Nelson's eyebrows furrowed as she glanced at Campbell with the corner of her eye. Her tone was icy as she barked, "Hey, I've given you the money. Why are you still sitting here? Get out!"
"Miss, you probably don't understand. Our profession has its own ethics. This three million is your apology for insulting my profession. Drive, back to the villa," Campbell said, patting the pocket with his bank card and leaning back comfortably in his seat.
"What do you mean? What apology? We agreed that you'd take the three million and leave. Now you're going back on your word?" Promise's face turned frosty, and the temperature inside the car seemed to drop several degrees.
Campbell sat up slightly, looking at Promise with a serious expression. "Miss, this three million is compensation for the insult to my professional integrity. Do you understand? And did I ever agree to leave after taking your three million?"
"…"
Promise felt like a herd of wild animals was stampeding through her mind.
Compensation for your integrity, my foot!
She had never seen someone so shameless.
Even with her good upbringing, she couldn't help but want to curse.
"Drive. I'm not leaving until the contract expires, unless you convince your dad to end it early," Campbell Watson said, crossing his arms with a smug look. This infuriated Promise Nelson, making her grit her teeth.
That jerk had the nerve to trick her and swindle three million dollars from her. She had never suffered such a loss before, and for someone who controlled a publicly listed company, this was an utter humiliation.
"You'll regret this, I promise," Promise said through clenched teeth, glaring at Campbell. She angrily stepped on the gas pedal and sped off.
She knew that the three million was as good as gone. The grudge between them was now set in stone. As she drove, her mind raced with plans on how to get back at him.
Meanwhile, Campbell sat in the passenger seat with his eyes closed, feeling incredibly pleased with himself. Three million dollars was a huge sum for him at the moment.
Should he hit up a bar tonight or get a massage?
****
At Violet Residence No. 1, Building 8, just after Campbell and Promise left, a burly man with thick eyebrows and a broad chest came down the stairs.
"President Nelson, is he the expert you hired to protect your daughter?" The man sat heavily on the couch, his voice deep and filled with undisguised disdain.
The man was Sebastian, the leader of the Action Group of the Ninth Bureau of Celestial Nation, also known as Ember Gate. This was the most secretive military organization in Celestial Nation, recruiting numerous martial arts experts to safeguard the nation's peace.
Sebastian was one of the top five commanders under Master Huston, the first war general, and a Grandmaster of the Earth level. He held the rank of Major General.
Recently, Magnus Nelson's bio-research department invented a technology capable of refining biological genes, which drew significant attention from the government.
Once perfected, this technology could be the most groundbreaking advancement in the field of biological genetics.
Somehow, word got out, and major foreign organizations also set their sights on this technology. Thus, Ember Gate specifically assigned Sebastian to protect Magnus and his research team, ensuring the technology didn't fall into foreign hands.
Promise Nelson, Magnus's only daughter, was someone Sebastian initially wanted to assign his own people to protect. However, Magnus insisted on finding someone himself.
Sebastian thought Magnus would hire some renowned martial arts expert, but to his surprise, Magnus chose an utterly ordinary person.
Sebastian couldn't see anything impressive about the guy. Despite his disdain, Magnus only smiled faintly and didn't argue.
"President Nelson, let me assign someone to protect your daughter.
This technology is crucial, and I don't want to give the enemy any opportunity," Sebastian suggested again.
"General Sebastian, thank you for your concern, but I don't want to involve my daughter. Besides, I believe Campbell Watson can protect her well. This matter is settled," Magnus replied, his tone polite but firm.
Sebastian felt a bit annoyed, but remembering his superiors' instructions, he suppressed his anger. He left with a final remark, "President Nelson, if anything happens, the consequences will be on you," and then turned to head back to the top floor of the villa.
"Franc, I need you to investigate that kid's background thoroughly... If anything seems off, take him out." Back at the top floor of the villa, Sebastian made a phone call.
There was no way he would let some random person protect Promise Nelson.
If the enemy captured Promise as leverage, the consequences would be dire.
He would never let that happen...