[This chapter is dedicated to Brooke_Rogers. Thank you for reading this story. I am truly grateful for your support.]

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Noah clenched his fist into a tight ball, his whole body was shaking with rage. Whoever these people who were trying to hurt Jess would pay!

"I'll take Jess back with me," he said once he was able to control his anger enough to speak.

Ellise chuckled at what he said. "You've been with Jess for a while now, but you still don't know her?" she asked, taunting. Seeing Noah clench his jaw, she scoffed softly. "I have to work behind her back because she is uselessly stubborn," she added sarcastically.

"And what do you suggest I should do?" he asked, gritting his teeth. Ellise can be so infuriating but he can't deny that she's good and he needed her to keep Jess safe. His ego and pride shouldn't interfere with Jess's safety.

"Tighten her security."

He scoffed. "And you think Jess would agree with that?"

"She won't. But I didn't say that you should tell her," she arched her perfectly-shaped brow at Noah.

Noah cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck from side to side. The longer this conversation goes, the more he felt the need to break some bones.

"And that would be something that she would agree to?"

"We are talking about keeping her safe. We aren't talking about her approval." When she saw the hesitation in Noah's face, she added, "Isn't it the reason why we are having this talk without her?"

He heaved a deep sigh and massaged his temple. He understood what Ellise was trying to imply and he agreed with her a hundred percent. Because just like what he told Jess, he would do everything in his power to keep her safe, even if she does not agree with the method that he would use to ensure her safety.

Jess is stubborn but she's not stupid. She would understand the necessity of additional security for her protection in the current situation.

"We aren't just doing it because Jess doesn't like security hovering around her. We are doing it to trap those people who were after her."

It was Noah's turn to raise his eyebrow.

"We needed to give those people enough space to do what they have to do for us to catch them," she shrugged. "Or that was what I was trying to do. I never anticipated that they would be so bold to this much since, they never do more than stage an accident whenever they try to get to your daughter," she explained lengthily.

When Noah's knuckles turned white and his lips were pulled into a thin line, Ellise laughed. "You didn't even consider the fact that the ones behind Jess's death threats were the same group of people that has been jerking you around for your daughter's safety.

He was ashamed to open his mouth to deflate Ellise's accusations because they happened to be true. And the only excuse he has was that he had no idea there was a death threat with Jess's life.

"How are you planning to add on her security without her knowing?"

"I need you to share what you've found from your investigation about your daughter's so-called accidents all over the years. I need to find a pattern --"

"And what makes you think my people haven't found them?" he asked in irritation. As much as he doesn't want his pride to get in the way, it still pissed him off that Ellise was bossing him around.

"If your people found them, what happened to Jess shouldn't happen. But it did. That should tell you something. And let's not argue about it anymore because I know that you agreed with me. Let's focus on Jess's additional security."

Noah glanced at Markus who was still on his phone. Seemingly, oblivious of what he and Ellise have been discussing. But he knew Markus. His brain is always churning like a machine and the fact that Ellise put him on his toes, would only make him more competitive. He didn't have to remind him to do a good job. He would do it on his own to be better than Ellise.

"I'm listening," he leaned back against the upholstered chair, resting his arms over his stomach.

"Don't put any more than two security around Jess" --

"That won't be enough!" He interrupted Ellise who gave her an annoyed look.

"You don't put your people around her because I'll be putting more of my own."

"It seems like you have a reason why you don't want our people to be around Miss Zimmerman."

Markus finally joined the conversation after being silent for a long time in his chair.

"The people who were after Jess were familiar with your people." she shifted her gaze to Noah and added, "I doubt it if you would put some new people around Jess. You like working with people that you tried and tested."

Noah met her gaze and didn't talk. She knew that much. There is nothing for him to explain.

"And since you work with the same people, those who were watching you from the shadows already knew how your people operate."

Noah kept mum. He couldn't deny the possibility of what Ellise said.

"That's the reason why I want to put my own people around Jess. You don't have to worry about them. I have known them for years. I know how they work and they are perfect for Jess who hates feeling being watched. And Jess will spot your people, by the way. She was trained that way." she smirked proudly. It didn't take long for Jess to spot the trail that she put with her when she first received her death threat.

"And what makes you sure that Jess won't spot your people," Markus asked. He was curious and it irked him to no end that Ellise thought her people were better than Noah's people.

"Because they have been trailing me since I was young and I don't spot them," she smirked. "I am better than Jess when it comes to spotting shadow," she stated matter-of-factly which made Markus curl his lips in disdain.

He hates her guts, but she looked so damn good and amazing and beautiful, Markus thought to himself.