Cathy, worried about something like on the train happening again, told Owen to be careful.

    Mike said to Aria, “Ms. Saxon, just let me know when you open this. If you need help, call me.”

    “Okay,” Aria replied.

    Flynt stepped forward and said, “Since this is my fault, I’ming with you to the Stars Group. Maybe I can help.”

    Aria shut him down right away. “No need. Whatever happens, we won’t hold you responsible.”

    Flynt somehow looked a little disappointed when he heard that. He said, “Fine, then I’ll just go home.” He figured he would take it step by step and start as a friend.

    Johnny was busy in his office when he looked up and saw the handcuffs on Aria’s wrist. He asked in surprise, “What did Owen do to you?”

    Owen cleared his throat. “You got me wrong. It wasn’t me.”

    Aria also felt speechless. “Stop joking.”

    Johnny snorted. “I wasn’t. Alright, what on earth happened?”

    Aria briefly exined how she ended up joining the State Security Bureau.

    “What? You actually joined the State Security Bureau.” Johnny stood up in shock. “Why are you ditching thepany to run off there?”

    He thought, ‘Since when did she stop caring about her own business and start meddling in everyone else’s?’

    During lunch, Silvia heard that Aria was at thepany, so she came to Johnny’s office immediately. Hearing his harsh questioning, she frowned and thought, ‘Joining the State Security Bureau is a good thing. Why is he so mad?’

    She gently closed the half-open door and quietly returned to her desk.

    “I went there for apetition,” Aria said, shaking the handcuffs. “The material is too tough for regr tools. I’m trying to figure out how to open them and maybe check out the material too.”

    Johnny leaned in for a closer look and saw the handcuffs were full of cut marks. “Where did you get these?” Suddenly, his eyes went wide. “Wait, don’t tell me you got handcuffed on purpose to bring this stuff back.”

    “I’m not crazy,” Aria replied, rolling her eyes.

    Owen interrupted immediately, “Let’s figure out how to unlock those cuffs. They’re ruining her day.”

    “Alright, let’s go to theb,” Johnny said, leading everyone toward theb.

    A few senior researchers began examining those handcuffs. After a while, one of them said, “This material is quite strange. It’s extremely hard, probably some kind of alloy.”

    Owen said, frowning, “Sir, can you just unlock them first? We can look into the materialter.”

    “Yeah, let’s unlock them first.” The lead senior researcher quickly called over his assistants. “Get more people here and bring

    all the tools.”

    Ten minutester, the handcuffs were cut open. Aria stretched her wrist, snapped a picture of the handcuffs, and sent it to Tessa. [Done.]

    Tessa: [This was fast. Didn’t you just get off the train?]

    Aria: [The Stars Group got the expertise and all the tools.]

    Tessa: [If they figure something out, the State Security Bureau might team up with the Stars Group.]

    Aria: [Sure.]

    Since this was something they put on her, it belonged to her, and she intended to make full use of it.

    Owen gently massaged Aria’s swollen wrists and asked softly, “Does it hurt?” The small cuffs had left marks after being on for so long.

    “It’s fine,” she said as she walked out. “I’m just going to get some rest.”

    Johnny shot them a weird look and joked. “What now? Are you two heading home to enjoy some alone time?”

    Aria stopped in her tracks and waited for Johnny to pass. Without hesitation, she kicked out. Johnny fell t on his face, with his handnding on someone’s shoes. He looked up and saw Silvia.

    Silvia’s face flushed with embarrassment. “I-I was just waiting for Aria.”

    Johnny looked embarrassed. He got up and yelled at Aria, “Why did you kick me?”

    Aria said, “Oh, sorry. I didn’t see youing.”

    Johnny felt aggrieved. He red at her and said, “Come on, I was only joking around with you two. You know I didn’t mean anything bad. Don’t make such a big deal out of it.”

    Aria clenched her fists quietly.