Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 383: I Owe You My Life (3)

Adrienne didn’t miss seeing Valerie’s reaction; she had a gist of what was happening to her friend. She must have started feeling something towards Hunter ever since the incident of her abduction and Airi’s death.

However, Adrienne wasn’t planning to aid Valerie in pursuing her brother romantically. It would have been better if her friend could see past her admiration for Hunter as her savior to see a man who deserved to be loved for who he truly was. She knew that Valerie’s feelings might be clouded by gratitude and the trauma she had experienced, and she wanted her friend to find genuine love and happiness rather than get caught up in a potentially one-sided infatuation. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Valerie rose to her feet and gave Hunter a slight bow, showing her gratitude to him. Hunter saved her life not just once but twice. If Hunter hadn’t taken her away, she would have been caught in the explosion and died along with Airi.

"I haven’t thanked you properly, Mr. Nian. Your quick thinking and bravery saved my life, and for that, I am forever grateful." Valerie’s voice trembled with a mix of gratitude and admiration. "If there’s ever anything I can do to repay you, please don’t hesitate to ask. I owe you my life."

"You don’t owe me anything, Miss Xia," Hunter replied. "It was my job to save you and protect you. I also cannot fail Addie since she was the one who asked me to find you."

His sister, who was usually composed and calm, had called him in a panic state, begging him to find Valerie and ensure her safety. Hunter knew that he couldn’t let his sister down, especially when it came to someone as important to her as Valerie.

Hunter’s words were filled with a sense of duty and loyalty towards Adrienne, emphasizing his commitment to his mission. Valerie nodded, understanding the weight of his responsibilities. For Hunter, it might just be an obligation as a soldier, but for her, it was a favor she can never repay in this lifetime.

"But if you truly want to repay me, I would appreciate it if you could help Addie in case she gets into trouble," Hunter said, as if he knew what she was thinking. He wasn’t planning to take advantage of Valerie’s gratitude and would rather see it as an opportunity to ensure Adrienne’s safety. He believed that Valerie’s assistance would provide an extra layer of protection for his dearest sister, easing his own worries and allowing him to focus on his mission.

Valerie smiled. "You don’t have to tell me, Mr. Nian. Addie is my friend. Even before we graduate high school, I’m looking after her."

"Right," Myrtle agreed. "Val used to chase away those who tried to mess up with Addie."

Valerie nodded, her smile widening. "It’s just second nature to me, really. Addie’s always been like a little sister to me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

Myrtle chuckled, remembering all the times Valerie had come to Addie’s defense. "Yeah, Val’s always been fiercely protective of her friends. It’s one of the things I admire most about her. You don’t need to worry too much, Hunter. I’m also practically glued to Addie’s side, so you can count on Valerie and me to keep her out of harm’s way."

"That’s reassuring to hear, then," Hunter said it with a grateful smile. "I’m glad Addie has such loyal friends like you and Valerie. It’s comforting to know that she’ll always have someone looking out for her, no matter what."

Adrienne frowned as she listened to her brother and friends’ conversation. They spoke about her as if she weren’t around.

"Why do you speak as if I’m always in trouble? I can handle myself just fine, you know." Adrienne crossed her arms, feeling a mix of annoyance and protectiveness. "But I appreciate your concern, Hunter, but really, I’m fine. You are as bad as Lennox when it comes to my safety."

She used to be jealous of Elise’s relationship with Cayden, but now that she had her older brother, Adrienne could only sigh as Hunter was overly protective. It was clear that he cared deeply for her, but sometimes his concern felt suffocating. Despite her frustration, she knew Hunter’s intentions were rooted in love and a desire to keep her safe.

"At least your husband and I agree," Hunter replied. "It’s not that we don’t trust you, Addie, but you’ll never know what others could do to you. We just want to make sure you’re always protected and out of harm’s way."

Adrienne understood their concerns, but what happened during Valerie’s abduction was a coincidence. Airi targeted her because of Valerie, and she doubted something like that could happen again. However, she also understood where their fear was coming from.

Being Lennox’s wife also meant she’d always be a potential target for those who wanted to get to him. She knew that her safety was not just about herself but also about protecting their family and their future together.

"I understand, but you don’t have to overthink about me. Irina and Leigh barely keep me out of their sight and are always on high alert," Adrienne reassured them. "I appreciate your concern, but I trust them to keep me safe. Plus, Lennox and I have taken additional security measures to ensure our well-being."

"I’m glad that Lennox asked you to stay with Mom. I know your husband can protect you, but now that there’s a lot of things he needs to deal with, it’s good to have someone like you around for support," her brother admitted. "Besides, I think it will also give Lennox peace of mind knowing you’re here with us."

Adrienne said no more. She understood it wasn’t easy for Lennox to leave her, but she was glad he didn’t allow himself to succumb to his fear and kept her at home after all that had happened. It made her appreciate her husband more.