Chapter 384

Chapter 384: Chapter 384

Nate looked at Paul and frowned, just about to refuse when he caught sight of Bart walking over alongside him.

Recalling the task he had assigned to Bart, Nate curbed his impatience and asked, "What is it?"

Perhaps sensing that Bart and Paul were together, Nate offered a polite, apologetic smile toward Suzy and Mark. "Excuse me for a moment."

Without waiting for Suzy to speak, Nate stepped away.

He walked over to a nearby corner with Bart and Paul.

Pointing at Paul, Nate asked, "What’s his deal?"

Bart let out a couple of dry laughs. "Boss, he is my helper—he knows everything."

Nate swept a glance over Paul and didn’t press the matter further, simply asking, "How did the task I gave you go?"

"It’s taken care of," Bart said.

Nate raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Certain, absolutely certain." Bart nudged Paul beside him. "Right, Paul?"

"Right, right." Paul nodded along immediately. "We’ve successfully sabotaged her tires."

Seeing Paul blurt it out so bluntly, Nate’s expression shifted, and he scolded in a low voice, "Keep your voice down!"

Knowing he had misspoken, Paul offered a dry laugh and obediently zipped his mouth shut.

Nate turned back to Bart and repeated, "You’re sure there’s no problem?"

Recalling the situation earlier in detail, Bart gave a firm, heavy nod. "No problem, absolutely no problem."

He could swear on his life that there wasn’t a single flaw.

Back then, he had definitely driven the nail right into Suzy’s rear tire.

That feedback through his hands couldn’t have been wrong!

It was just that the tire didn’t show it right now, and the air wasn’t leaking out instantly. Once Suzy and her companion started driving, the leak would accelerate, and eventually, the vehicle wouldn’t be able to run normally.

Seeing his utter confidence, Nate bought it as well.

"Alright, I trust your work." Nate patted Bart on the shoulder.

Bart looked dead serious. "Rest assured, Boss, there’s definitely no issue. I drove the nail right in back then."

It was precisely because the nail had penetrated the tire that the alarm had been triggered in the first place.

Connecting all the dots, Bart felt everything added up perfectly.

Nate said nothing more, merely nodding.

"Let’s leave it at that for now. You won’t be left empty-handed when the time comes."

"Still, Boss... why did you want to sabotage their car?" Bart couldn’t resist asking.

From what he knew, Nate wasn’t this kind of person.

Out of nowhere, sabotaging someone else’s tires felt a bit too sinister.

A tire malfunction might seem minor, but in severe cases, it could trigger a major traffic accident—and that would cost two lives.

Noticing the flicker of uncertainty on Bart’s face, Nate forced himself to explain patiently, "I need them to stay behind."

Seeing that Bart still looked baffled, Nate continued with strained patience, "Don’t worry, nothing major will happen. When the time comes, I’ll have someone fix their tires right up."

With that, Nate departed under the watchful eyes of Bart and Paul.

However, after taking only a few steps, Nate turned back around and gave the two of them a few quick instructions.

Upon hearing his words, the expressions on Bart’s and Paul’s faces turned exceptionally colorful.

"I’ll leave this matter to the two of you. Don’t disappoint me."

Nate turned and left for real.

Bart and Paul stood in place, staring at each other in utter disbelief.

Paul was the first to speak. "To actually ask us to... what on earth do you think the boss is thinking?"

Bart gazed into the distance, shaking his head. "How should I know? Let me just do as the boss says."

Paul looked toward Suzy’s direction, a conflicted expression on his face. "Are we really going to do this?"

Bart said, "Don’t overthink it. Just listening to the boss is the right move."

Paul still hesitated. "I just feel like it’s not that simple. If you want to keep someone around, this isn’t the way to do it..."

"Alright, quit the chatter." Bart grew slightly impatient, feeling that Paul had way too much to say today. "Since when did you become so indecisive and motherly?"

"I... I’m just a bit worried," Paul defended himself. "Aren’t they Tina’s friends? Are we really doing this to them?"

"Relax. Precisely because they’re Tina’s friends, the boss won’t harm them," Bart said with absolute earnestness. "Hurry up and move; any later and it’ll be too late."

Bart headed toward the warehouse not far off.

Paul stole one last glance in Suzy’s direction before following close behind.

"Do you really not feel like the boss has changed a lot recently?" Paul pressed.

"Maybe," Bart replied casually. "People change, not to mention the boss went through *that* kind of incident not long ago... Alright, drop it."

Bart’s final words stifled whatever Paul was about to say.

Perhaps he was right—people do change.

---

On the other side, Nate had already returned to Suzy and Mark’s side.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. There were a few matters in the base I had to handle," Nate offered apologetically.

"No worries, it wasn’t long at all," Suzy smiled generously. "By the way, there’s something we’d like to tell you—we plan to set off right now."

During the short time Nate was away, Suzy and Mark had already agreed to leave immediately.

The moment Nate returned, they would inform him of their departure.

The two had even concocted an excuse, aligning their story as they waited for his return.

"Now? So soon?" Nate expressed a hint of regret. "It’s a pity you’re leaving now; we won’t even get to share a meal together."

"It’s fine, there might be another chance in the future," Suzy said.

Nate looked thoughtful. "Is that so?"

Suzy remained silent, waiting for Nate’s response. At this point, there was no need to drop all pretenses just yet.

"Alright then, I won’t hold you back," Nate said with an air of thoughtfulness. "Wait a moment. Since you’re Tina’s friends and I couldn’t treat you to a meal, it wouldn’t feel right to let you leave empty-handed. Let me grab something for you."

"Wait for me just a moment."

After giving his instructions, Nate walked off in a certain direction.

He left Suzy and Mark looking at each other.

"Leaving now?" Mark asked.

"No rush, let’s wait a moment," Suzy looked toward the direction where Nate had disappeared.

"What do you think he’s getting for us?" Mark asked.

"No idea," Suzy paused. "It probably isn’t food—food is way too precious right now."

"True."

As the two chatted back and forth, Nate returned shortly, holding a black plastic bag in his hand.

"This is?"

He handed the plastic bag to Suzy. The bag was tied in a knot, making it impossible for Suzy to see what was inside.

"Just a little token of appreciation."

Nate didn’t reveal what it was either, simply shoving it straight into Suzy’s hands.

Suzy took the plastic bag, subtly feeling its contents. It felt soft to the touch, emitted steam, and was even a bit scalding hot.