Chapter 1

The year was 1974. In the east of Willowridge Village stood a clinic.

From a distance, the low buildings made of bricks came into view. Three units lined up side by side. Their outer walls were painted red with the words, "Move Forward Fearlessly."

A middle-aged woman hurriedly pulled aside the door curtain and rushed inside. She tossed her canvas bag onto the bedside table before nudging the young lady lying on it.

"Come on, sweetie. Hurry up! The Locke family sent someone to pick you up! The car's already parked at the village entrance!"

Natalie Wynn groggily opened her eyes.

The woman in front of her wore a green sackcloth dress and sported a bob haircut, giving her a distinctly retro look. Puzzled, Natalie asked, "What are you talking about, ma'am?"

"Ma'am? Did you hit your head somewhere? I'm your mom!"

The woman anxiously grabbed Natalie's arm and helped her sit up on the bed. She then bent down to retrieve a pair of black canvas shoes from the floor and slipped them onto Natalie's feet.

"Hurry up! I've packed everything for you. If your stepdad and that dummy see you, you won't be able to leave!

"Listen, once you're with the Locke family, don't just drift through life. Grab every opportunity to rise up. I heard those two Locke brothers are quite the catch. Just marry one, and you'll have a life of luxury.

"If that doesn't work out, there are plenty of good men at the Air Force Base Housing. With your looks, you'll have them swooning. Pick the best one and have your in-laws help you land a good job after marriage. You'll be set for life then."

The woman continued, "And watch out for Phoebe Yates. She may be from here, but she's lost both her parents. Once she's with the Locke family, she's not going anywhere. Don't let her get the upper hand in anything. Now, come on!"

Before Natalie could ask anything, the woman grabbed her canvas bag from the bedside table and took her hand. Together, they rushed toward the village entrance.

As they hurried away, in the room next door, a man on a hospital bed slowly opened his eyes.

He had heard the woman's comment about grabbing every opportunity to rise up. How dare they plot against his family? He was resolute in not giving them that chance.

His dark eyes flashed with mockery, and his handsome face was as cold as ice. Even lying down, he exuded undeniable confidence.

At six feet one inch tall, with broad shoulders and long legs, he wore a deep green Air Force combat uniform. A black belt cinched his slim waist, and his black boots only added to his imposing presence. He made the small clinic bed feel even more cramped.

He was Jasper Locke, one of the two Locke brothers mentioned by Natalie's mother, Lilian Hale.

Originally stationed in the capital, Kingston, he had been carrying out a secret mission when his fighter jet experienced a malfunction at high altitude near Willowridge Village. After sending a distress signal to the control tower, he decisively abandoned the aircraft and parachuted to safety.

Pilots weren't allowed to have any injuries, so upon landing, his first move was to find a local clinic.

Thankfully, he had only a few scratches. After getting treatment for his wounds, he lay down on the hospital bed to recuperate while waiting for his unit to send someone to retrieve him.

Little did he expect to overhear such an interesting conversation between the mother and daughter next door.

Jasper knew their identities. Last month, his family had sent a telegram to his unit, saying his father planned to adopt two fallen comrades' daughters. One was Phoebe Yates, and the other was Natalie Wynn.

Clearly, the one trying to use a man to rise up was Natalie.

…

A military green Jeep parked quietly on one side at the village entrance. The vehicle was a KS212 model produced by automobile factories in Kingston, exclusively designed for military district leaders.

Natalie, pulled along by Lilian, arrived at the car, breathless.

Addison Gregory was already waiting by the vehicle. When he saw them, his face broke into a smile. "Mrs. Wynn!"

Addison was the bodyguard of Jasper's father, Gideon Locke, sent to pick them up this time.

Lilian had already spoken to him earlier, but now she still felt a twinge of concern and said, "Mr. Gregory, Nattie hasn't traveled far before. Please take good care of her on the way."

Addison replied, "Don't worry, Mrs. Wynn. I'll make sure Ms. Wynn gets to Kingston safely."

Lilian expressed her gratitude, then turned to slip the canvas bag onto Natalie's shoulder. She raised her hand and tenderly stroked Natalie's cheek. "Don't forget to write to me once you're in Kingston."

Natalie, urged to get up and pushed to jog alongside Lilian, still felt hazy and disoriented. Yet, she could sense Lilian's emotions toward her—an interplay of reluctance and a sense of duty.

As if controlled by someone else, she rolled down the car window and waved at the woman outside. "Take care, Mom!"

"You too!" Lilian's eyes misted over. Her hand lingered in the air for a moment before she raised it to wave.

The Jeep drove away slowly. Lilian stood at the village entrance, watching the car disappear down the road. Tears welled in her eyes.

The vehicle bounced along the muddy road. Natalie sat in the backseat, next to another young lady.

"Nattie." The lady tugged on her braided hair as she greeted Natalie.

Turning to look, Natalie didn't recognize her. "You are..."

The young lady was surprised. "It's me, Phoebe Yates. Don't you remember me?"

Phoebe Yates?

The realization hit Natalie like a bolt. She finally understood her situation. She had transmigrated into a book!

Willowridge Village, the Locke family, Air Force Base Housing, Phoebe Yates… It all matched perfectly with the novel her roommate had written, "The 70s Dichotomy".

Someone had spilled the beans that her roommate published a book online, incorporating her character to vent frustration. They urged her to read it and even sent her the link.

When Natalie clicked on the link, she nearly lost it after finishing the book.

The supporting character in the book not only shared her name but also looked exactly like her. What infuriated her most was that this version of Natalie was the antagonist to the main character, Phoebe.

While Phoebe was innocent, kind, and beautiful, Natalie was depicted as the opposite.

Both were daughters of martyrs. They were adopted by the Locke family at the same time and lived in the military base housing.

In the Locke residence, Phoebe was hard-working, ambitious, and well-liked by everyone.

Eventually, she got into the best school, landed a great job after graduation, married well, had kids, and was spoiled by her in-laws. The Locke family took care of her, and she lived a happy life without a hitch.

In contrast, Natalie was portrayed as a dim-witted counterpart. After moving into the Locke residence, she displayed a lack of basic manners. She was both lazy and scheming, always attempting to outshine Phoebe, but she ended up failing miserably every time.

Since she had good looks, she flirted with multiple guys at the base housing to climb the social ladder. In the end, her reputation was ruined when her schemes were exposed.

Meanwhile, Phoebe remained respectable and became the dream girl for the guys.

Natalie's downward spiral culminated when she began to pursue the two Locke brothers.

After failing to charm the eldest, Jasper, she turned her sights on the younger brother, James Locke, even attempting to seduce him. This led to her ultimate downfall with the Locke family.

After her plans fell apart, she was kicked out of the Locke residence. In a panic, she ended up marrying a guy she once flirted with.

It turned out that that man was not only abusive but also a player. His family members were no walk in the park, either. They wore her down relentlessly.

By the time Natalie was in her late 30s, she felt drained and worn out. She ultimately passed away in the harsh winter at the age of 46.

It was a harsh reality. Some ladies effortlessly married into happiness, while others toiled away and suffered endlessly.

After reading that book, Natalie was so furious she couldn't eat for three days.

The Locke family was powerful and influential. Anyone would know to latch onto them, yet her character was written to be utterly foolish. In the book, she caused chaos in the Locke residence as though she feared a life of ease.

And now, it seemed her deep immersion in the story had somehow caused her demise. She was then transmigrated into the book, now playing the role of the supporting character, Natalie Wynn.

At that moment, Natalie's cheeks were puffed up in anger. Her heart raced with a strong urge to curse.

"Nattie? What's wrong?" Phoebe waved her hand in front of her.

Natalie snapped back to reality and tapped her own head. "Sorry. I fell a few days ago. The doctor said I might have a concussion, so it's hard to concentrate."

Phoebe glanced at her head and smiled. "No worries. I thought you were just sad about leaving for Kingston."

Natalie felt no fondness for Phoebe. Her roommate who vented her frustrations through writing was also named Phoebe Yates. This fictional Phoebe was essentially the same kind of person.

Natalie ignored her and closed her eyes to rest.

A few hours later, the vehicle finally arrived at the train station in the city. Next, they would have to spend a full day and night on a train to reach Kingston.

Chapter 2

Soon after Natalie left, her stepfather, Jeffery Lonsdale, realized she was gone.

Staring at the empty bed in the ward, he kicked the bed leg in frustration and cursed in his mind. Though Natalie wasn't his biological daughter, he had raised her for ten years. But she turned out to be such an ingrate.

All he wanted was for her to marry his son. Decades ago, cousins could marry each other, so why couldn't step-siblings do the same?

Since they were family, it would save on wedding gifts and other expenses. Jeffery thought it was the perfect plan.

Frustrated, he stepped out of the ward and confronted the doctor on duty. "Didn't I tell you to use more sedatives to keep her out cold? Why did you let her escape?"

The doctor hunched and trembled in fear. "I-I went to the commune for lunch. She was gone when I came back. Maybe you should ask that guy over there." He nodded toward the other ward.

There were only two wards in the clinic, and the walls were as thin as paper. If one side had noise, the other side surely heard it all.

Jeffery followed the doctor's gesture and noticed a soldier had recently taken residence in the other ward. The man had a decent rank, too.

He knew that because the higher-ups had sent a telegram demanding that all local officials be on standby for that soldier's every need.

Jeffery slapped his own face, instantly transforming from anger to a mask of respect. He walked over to the curtain separating the two wards and called out, "Excuse me, sir. Do you have a moment? I need to ask you something."

A few seconds passed before a cold voice replied, "What's your relationship with her?"

Jeffery hadn't expected the soldier to guess his question right away. After some thought, he replied, "I'm sorry to trouble you with this. That girl, Natalie, has been dating my son for several years.

"They were on the verge of getting married, but she suddenly wanted to call it off. My son is distraught. He won't listen to anyone but her, so here I am, trying to have a word with her about the wedding."

Jasper sat upright on his bed, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

It seemed that that woman was both practical and opportunistic. Having already climbed the social ladder to the Locke family, how could she possibly still be interested in her boyfriend from Willowridge Village?

"Do you know where she went?" Jeffery prodded when he noticed Jasper's silence.

"I don't," Jasper replied flatly.

Not daring to press further, Jeffery muttered a quick "thank you" and left.

Moments after Jeffery left, the sound of a car engine filled the air outside the clinic.

The driver's side door swung open, and a young man in a green military uniform hurriedly jumped out and strode into the building.

"Captain Locke!" Upon seeing Jasper sitting there unharmed, the man let out a small sigh of relief. "The colonel wants you back in Kingston ASAP. There's an urgent mission. I've already secured tickets for the next train to Kingston."

"Let's go, then. What are we waiting for?" Jasper glanced at his watch and moved toward the exit. The young man fell in step behind him.

As soon as they jumped into the car, Jasper hit the gas and sped down the rural road.

At the city train station, they handed the car to a military liaison and boarded the train headed to Kingston.

…

The old train rattled along the tracks, the scenery outside zipping by.

The train carriage's aisle was filled with people, and luggage was stacked haphazardly together. Most of the passengers wore shades of black, gray, or deep blue.

Women sported braids or short bobs, while the men had either middle-parted styles or messy hairstyles. But without exception, everyone had thick, lush hair.

Some brought live poultry on board. Their clucks and cackles blended with the chatter, creating lively chaos.

Addison had only managed to get three standard seats, and they weren't even together, so they had to sit separately. Addison and Phoebe sat at the front of the carriage, while Natalie settled at the back.

As soon as Natalie sat down, she caught the attention of the man across from her. The reason was simple—her striking looks were hard to ignore.

Her perfect braids fell over her shoulders, framing her smooth, fair face. Her sparkling eyes and high nose gave her an elegant air. Her delicate lips, tinted like fresh cherries, curved slightly even when she wasn't smiling.

She looked both alluring and innocent, a combination that made even passing animals pause for a second look.

The man sitting across from her stared unabashedly. He even tried to strike up a conversation. "Hey, how old are you? Are you working yet? Do you have a boyfriend? Are you going to Kingston to visit family or something?"

These days, there were really only a couple of reasons for traveling far.

Without replying, Natalie sized the man up.

He was dressed in a deep blue uniform, clutching a black briefcase under his arm. His square jaw and black-framed glasses gave him an air of scholarly authority. He looked like someone working for a state-run enterprise.

Never judge a book by its cover. Having just transmigrated into an unfamiliar environment, Natalie remained on high alert.

The man hadn't given up. He was still trying to talk to Natalie. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not a bad guy, and I don't have any ill intentions.

"I'm Kevin Stokes, the director of recruitment for Kingston Art Corps. I noticed you have a great look. Would you be interested in joining us? I could recommend you, and you wouldn't even have to take an exam."

Natalie remained unfazed. "Thanks, but I'm not interested."

Though she turned him down, the nearby women eavesdropping couldn't help but be intrigued. They gathered around the bespectacled man, eagerly asking him questions.

Noticing that, a middle-aged woman standing next to Natalie looked at her incredulously. "Oh dear, do you know how many people are desperate to get into Art Corps? Are you really not interested?

"They pay a salary of 35 dollars a month, and you won't have to spend a penny on food or lodging. Where else can you find a job like that?

"And that's not all. You're at the age to start looking for a partner, right? With looks like yours, if you can get into Art Corps, you'll rub shoulders with military officers. Marry a higher-up, and you'd be set for life!"

The woman chattered in Natalie's ear, and her eyes inadvertently met with Kevin's.

Noticing the exchange, Natalie suddenly asked the woman, "Excuse me, do you have a daughter?"

The woman nodded without hesitation.

Smiling, Natalie said, "Since the job at Art Corps is that great, and the director of recruitment is sitting right here, why don't you help your daughter secure a spot?

"Once she marries a higher-up, you'll be a big shot's mother-in-law. You'll be able to buy a ticket for a seat on the train instead of standing the whole way."

As her words faded, a quiet chuckle echoed from a few rows ahead.

Chapter 3

Natalie glanced over to see a young man in an Air Force combat uniform who had dark skin and a slim face.

Beside him sat another man in a similar uniform, but his bore five-pointed stars and an array of medals, indicating a higher rank.

What stood out even more was his stern face. With a high nose, a tight-lipped expression, and a well-defined jawline, he exuded rugged handsomeness.

Dressed in that Air Force combat uniform, he was exceptionally striking amid the crowd of ordinary passengers.

Natalie couldn't help but steal another look.

Unexpectedly, the man's sharp gaze turned toward her. It felt intimidating, so she quickly averted her eyes. He was hot but clearly fierce.

After hours on the train, Natalie was starting to feel restless. The cramped space and hard seats made her back ache, and her legs felt swollen. She decided it was time to get up and stretch her legs.

As she stood up, the strap of her canvas bag tugged at her shoulder, pulling her down. The bag was heavier than she expected.

She opened it to take a look and found that Lilian had packed a stainless steel military canteen filled with water. No wonder it felt so heavy. She set the canteen on the table and left her seat with her bag.

A pair of eyes followed her retreating figure. Smiling, the man spoke to the person beside him.

"Captain Locke, that young woman is quite astute. She didn't fall for the recruitment opportunity from Art Corps. I was worried she might actually believe it and end up getting conned for her money and body."

Jasper, sitting upright, shot him a sideways glance. "Then why didn't you swoop in to save the beauty?"

The young man's smile widened. "Well, she figured it out herself, so I didn't need to intervene. But Captain Locke, I didn't expect you to recognize that young lady's beauty. I thought you had trouble distinguishing faces."

As he thought of something, he chuckled mischievously and encouraged Jasper, "Captain Locke, I honestly think you and that young lady are a perfect match. You're both good-looking. Just imagine how cute your kids would be. How about you give it a shot?"

Jasper raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "I didn't realize you had a matchmaking hobby, Zachary Stone. Are you that bored? I should increase your training regimen when we get back."

Zachary felt a chill run down his spine at the sound of his full name. He quickly backtracked. "Please, no. My training's already packed to the brim.

"I'm just looking out for you. With our line of work, who knows when disaster could strike? It's good to think about leaving something behind. It's just like this time. If it weren't for your timely parachute jump..."

He trailed off, but Jasper understood. This time, he had escaped death. What about next time? He couldn't count on luck forever.

An unexpected sadness seeped into the air.

Zachary raised a hand and smacked his lips. "Alright, alright, enough of my rambling. Back to business. I heard from the instructor that your love life has turned into a political mission. You have to sort it out this year.

"You don't fancy the Air Force Art Corps' star, and you didn't seem interested in that lady from earlier. So, what's your type, Captain Locke?"

The previous somber mood vanished like smoke.

As Jasper adjusted his sleeve, a cold smirk played on his lips. "You really have too much time on your hands."

…

After stretching her limbs, Natalie walked back from the junction between the carriages with her bag slung over her shoulder.

Having felt the hot pilot's intense gaze before, she learned her lesson this time and walked past without a glance. She was determined not to look at him again.

Zachary noticed her approach and nudged Jasper. "Captain Locke, that lady really is something else."

When Jasper ignored him, Zachary continued to analyze, "Those women from Air Force Art Corps all lit up at the sight of you. But that lady over there completely ignored you. Isn't that intriguing?"

"Shut it." Irritated by his chatter, Jasper stood up.

"Hey, where are you going?" Zachary asked.

Jasper just offered him his back as he walked away.

Natalie returned to her seat, only to find that Kevin was gone and that middle-aged woman was now occupying his spot.

She shrugged it off. As she pressed her lips together, she noticed her lips felt dry. She grabbed her canteen from the table, unscrewed the cap, and poured a little into the lid before sipping it slowly.

As the train traveled north, she could feel the air growing drier.

The more Natalie drank, the thirstier she felt. Before she knew it, she had already finished half the bottle.

Something didn't seem right. Why was the canteen starting to look blurry? Was she seeing things?

In her daze, the woman across from her waved a hand in front of Natalie's face. When she saw there was no response, she immediately slid into the seat next to Natalie and wrapped an arm around her. "Girl."

Natalie's heart raced. Something was wrong with the water. She bit her tongue hard enough to taste blood to jolt her senses back into focus.

Just then, the woman blocked the seat's exit and gripped Natalie's arm tightly, preventing her from getting up.

Natalie jumped up suddenly and shoved the woman aside as she shouted for help.

Unfortunately, a louder male voice drowned out her plea. "Honey, please don't be mad at me."

Kevin, who appeared from nowhere, stepped forward to grab Natalie by the arm and addressed her affectionately.

Beside them, a woman spoke up. "Come on, we're family. Let's talk things over instead of threatening to leave. Come back home with Kevin."

She was one of the women who had just been surrounding Kevin, asking him questions.

"Yeah, let's go home and sort this out. Don't cause a scene on the train," the first woman chimed in.

The three of them surrounded Natalie from all sides, pushing her toward the carriage's exit.

The conductor was announcing the next stop, and passengers were bustling to the door, hauling their luggage. The entire carriage was in chaos.

To the onlookers, Natalie's frantic struggle seemed like nothing more than a family dispute.

But Natalie knew she had fallen into a trap. She cried out desperately, "Help! These people are human traffickers! He's not my husband!"

Curious glances were cast her way, with some even stepping forward to ask questions. Kevin, however, remained calm and collected, saying, "My wife's just upset."

The middle-aged woman added, "Yeah, it's just a quarrel between a couple. What kind of traffickers would try to abduct someone on a train?"

"No! They're lying! They're working together! Call the police! Please!" Natalie protested loudly, but her voice was soft and feeble due to the drug. It barely cut through the surrounding noise.

Those around who seemed ready to help hesitated. They were unsure of whom to believe.

Natalie felt her strength waning. Dizziness clouded her thoughts, and her legs trembled beneath her.

The exit was less than six feet away. Soon, there were only three feet left. With another push, they would force her off the train.

Chapter 4

Suddenly, a flash of green appeared in front of Natalie. She realized it was that stoic man.

She didn't have time to think. Only one thing echoed in her mind—she couldn't let herself fall into the hands of these traffickers.

She mustered all her strength and shouted toward Jasper, "Honey! Honey, help me! They're trying to abduct me!"

As a special operations pilot, Jasper had senses sharper than most. Almost the moment she called out, he cut through the crowd with long strides and appeared at her side.

"Let go!" The icy command in his voice left no room for argument.

Seeing the military uniform on Jasper, Kevin and his accomplices immediately let Natalie go, then bolted from the train.

Natalie's legs buckled, and she fell right into Jasper's arms.

As she started to fall, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing herself against him. She buried her face in his chest as she murmured, "H-Help... I've been drugged…"

Her cheeks were flushed, and her voice was weak and breathy. She was seconds away from completely losing control.

With a soft figure pressed against him, Jasper's every muscle went rigid.

"Zachary! Go after them!" Jasper shouted to Zachary, then guided Natalie into the nearby restroom before locking the door behind them.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Natalie couldn't hold back any longer. A soft moan escaped her lips.

The drug's effect was hitting her in full force. Disoriented, she fumbled her hands aimlessly over him, searching for relief.

Jasper had never had a woman touch him like this before. Almost instantly, he stiffened and quickly pushed her away.

"Don't move!" The warning was icy, but a closer listen would reveal his unsteady breathing.

Reaching into his pocket, he felt around for something. As a special operations pilot, he was trained for all kinds of situations and always carried emergency antidotes.

After pulling out a tiny container, he opened it and tipped a red pill into his hand. He then gripped her chin firmly and forced her to open her mouth to press the pill onto her tongue.

The antidote's icy, sharp taste spread through Natalie's mouth, clearing her head a little. When she looked up, her gaze met his. Their faces were so close they could feel each other's breath.

Jasper took in her smooth skin and delicate features. A strange, unexplainable feeling stirred in his chest, yet his expression remained as cold as ever.

Suppressing any hint of distraction, he turned to leave. The antidote was doing its job. He still had to deal with those traffickers.

But Natalie's moment of clarity lasted only a second before the heat overwhelmed her.

When she saw that Jasper was about to leave, she quickly lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. She pulled his head down and, standing on tiptoe, pressed her lips to his. Her dewy eyes blinked up at him helplessly.

Jasper was stunned by her boldness. But an iceberg wouldn't melt so easily.

A few seconds later, he pulled her arms from around his neck and scolded, "Stand still! Do you even know what you're doing?"

Natalie nodded, then shook her head. She looked up at him with those wide, innocent eyes.

Jasper's tone went colder. "Are you going to do this to anyone who can save you? Take a good look. Do you know who I am?"

Before she could respond, a knock sounded on the door. "Captain Locke, are you in there?"

Jasper held Natalie's shoulder firmly to keep her from clinging to him again, then opened the door.

Natalie, however, didn't stop. She latched onto his arm and practically burrowed against him.

The door swung open, and Zachary's eyes went wide at the sight before him. The words he wanted to say instantly froze on his lips.

What on earth was going on? Jasper, the same man who usually treated them like dirt during training and never so much as glanced at any woman, was actually holding one.

Moreover, that uniform, which no one was allowed to touch, was now all wrinkled. It was quite a sight to behold.

Meanwhile, Natalie was still tugging at Jasper's clothes.

Zachary's mind spun as images he definitely shouldn't be thinking about flitted through his head.

"Stand properly," Jasper told Natalie. He then raised his hand to pull her grip from his chest before turning to Zachary with a serious expression. "Did you catch them?"

Only then did Zachary remember why he'd come. "Yes, but they're denying everything. The railway police would like you to go over and assist with the interrogation."

Jasper glanced at Natalie. Thanks to the antidote, most of her flush had faded, and she was looking much calmer.

Just then, a female train attendant with a cap arrived. Jasper nodded to her. "Ma'am, please keep an eye on her."

The attendant had rushed over as soon as she learned that something had happened on the train. She quickly stepped forward to help Natalie.

With that, Jasper and Zachary jumped off the train to meet with the railway police.

Chapter 5

Natalie was taken to the crew lounge by the train attendant.

The attendant helped her onto the bed, saying, "Don't be afraid, miss. Just rest here. I'll be right outside the door. We still have half a day until we reach Kingston."

"Thank you," Natalie replied. Her mind was clearer now, but her body was still weak. She didn't dare fall asleep, so she just lay on the bed.

As she reflected on the embarrassing scene from the restroom, the humiliation made her want to forget it all.

She hadn't expected Kevin to drug her with that kind of drug, nor did she anticipate acting so shamelessly toward a stranger. She was like a desperate woman on the prowl.

Luckily, by the time her senses returned, Jasper was gone. She didn't know how she would face her savior otherwise.

Natalie's incident happened in the train's last carriage.

Addison, who was sitting in the front carriage, broke out in a cold sweat when he heard the news. He quickly went to find a train attendant for more information.

Seeing him in military uniform reassured the attendant, who promptly led him to the crew lounge.

"Captain Gregory." Natalie sat up when she saw Addison enter.

Addison looked her over, worry etched on his face. "Are you alright, Ms. Wynn? Do you feel sick anywhere?"

"I'm fine, Captain Gregory. You don't have to worry," she replied, shaking her head.

He breathed a sigh of relief and handed her a boxed meal. "Here, eat something. Just rest here. I'll tell Ms. Yates that I'll be here with you."

Before she could decline, Addison hurried off.

Feeling hungry, Natalie glanced at the meal on the table. She opened it and started eating.

Before long, Addison returned, this time with Phoebe. With the attendant's help, the three managed to sit in the same carriage.

The journey went smoothly after that, with no more disruptions.

…

Meanwhile, at the Railway Police Department, it was confirmed through interrogation that Kevin and his gang were indeed part of a long-standing group trafficking women on trains.

They targeted attractive women, who fetched a higher price. Once they identified a suitable victim, they would lure them in under the guise of Art Corps recruitment.

After the women took the bait, they would create an excuse for a medical checkup or interview mid-journey to trick them into getting off the train. From there, they would drug and sell them to the buyer.

If they couldn't lure someone on the train, they would resort to tactics like the one used on Natalie. They would stage a domestic dispute, with one person pretending to be the mother-in-law and the other the sister, leaving the victim with no choice but to get off.

After their business at the police department, Jasper and Zachary headed out.

The train they were on had already left. Not far away was the aviation squadron's base, so the two decided to take one of the squadron's training aircraft back to Kingston.

They arrived half a day earlier than Natalie and the others.

Upon reaching the base, Jasper learned that the "urgent mission" was actually a full medical checkup at the military hospital.

Once cleared, he returned to his dorm and began writing a detailed report on the recent secret flight mission.

Just as he was deep in concentration, a knock sounded on the door.

"Jasper. Are you busy?" Henry Jackson entered, dressed in his green military uniform, with hands clasped behind his back.

"Yeah, I'm working on a report." After setting his pen down, Jasper stood up and pulled out a chair beside him. "Please, have a seat."

Henry sat down and glanced at the desk. "There's no need to rush on the report. I'm giving you a week off. Go home and rest. You can submit the report later."

He figured Jasper would be eager to dive right back into work upon returning. Jasper was both smart and hardworking. Someone like him deserved to excel.

Henry tucked away his inner thoughts and continued, "I heard that your two godsisters are coming to the Air Force Base Housing. Since you have some time off, you should take the opportunity to visit them."

Everyone in the base housing knew Gideon had taken in two fallen comrades' daughters.

At the mention of this, Jasper recalled overhearing Lilian and Natalie's conversation at the clinic. A fleeting glimmer of shadow passed through his eyes.

He was determined not to give Natalie any opportunity to approach him. However, he also couldn't pretend to be casual around that fake sister.

He was very clear about his liked and disliked. His expression alone could freeze anyone who displeased him, and he wouldn't even bother to fake it.

So, he decided to minimize his visits home to avoid encountering her and prevent her from having any chances.

Resolutely, he told Henry, "I'm fine, Colonel Jackson. I can jump right back into training. I don't need a break and would rather save my leave for later."

Henry understood Jasper's character to some extent. He knew that whatever Jasper said was likely the result of careful consideration.

"Alright, as long as you're sure. Oh, by the way, we're having a networking event with the Air Force Art Corps at the end of the month. You have to attend. You're 25 now, so you can't keep putting off your love life."

With that, Henry quickly left, eager to avoid any objections.

A networking event…

Jasper couldn't help but think of Natalie, whom he had saved on the train and thrown herself into his arms, calling him "honey" and kissing him boldly.

Frowning, he shook off the thought and returned his focus to the report.

As he was finishing up, the communication office's operator knocked on the door. "Captain Locke, you have a call."

"Thanks. I'll be right there." He tucked his notebook into a drawer and locked it, then strode over to the communication office.

"Jasper speaking." He stood tall and straight as he picked up the receiver from the desk. His voice was as cold and rigid as he was.

On the other end, James was already accustomed to his voice. "Jasper, don't tell me you've forgotten that we have two new sisters coming. Mom and Dad said they were coming home early to welcome them. When are you coming back?"

Jasper replied flatly, "I have training this week and the next, so I can't go home."

"What? You're not coming back? Mom wanted a family dinner. If you're not coming, you'll need to at least get some gifts for the girls. I'm thinking of buying two boxes of Elegance Frost Snow Cream. I hear all the ladies love that. I could give one box to each of our sisters."

Jasper understood the basic etiquette of interpersonal interactions.

After a moment's thought, he said, "I've got gifts ready. You can deliver them for me. In the third drawer under the desk in my room is a fountain pen for Phoebe and a book for the other girl."

The fountain pen was a souvenir he received during training in Aclana. Having earned multiple awards domestically, he had a stash of them—at least five, if not ten. He had simply left one in his desk drawer when he returned home, never having opened it.

As for the book, it was perfect for that scheming sister.

"Alright, Jasper. Is there anything else before I hang up?" James felt relieved to hear that Jasper had prepared the gifts.

The base's phone calls were public, and the operators were well aware of who called and what was said.

Jasper couldn't go into too much detail, so he only offered a hint to James. "James, you're 18 now. Make sure you understand the boundaries when interacting with women. Use your brain, and don't let anyone take advantage of you. Okay, bye now."

With that, he hung up the phone.

At the Locke residence, James put down the phone, puzzled. He couldn't quite grasp what Jasper meant by that last comment.

Meanwhile, their mother, Celeste Quinn, who had been waiting by the phone, asked, "So, is Jasper coming home?"

James shook his head. "He's busy with training, so he won't be coming, but he's got gifts for the sisters."

"That's fine, too. You can pass them along." Celeste had no issues with Jasper prioritizing work. After all, Gideon was the same.

However, her tolerance for Jasper didn't extend to Gideon. Both of their goddaughters were coming, but Gideon was still busy with meetings at the military base recently. He left her to handle a mountain of chores.

She was busy enough with her work at the hospital. Why should she be the only one worrying about family matters?

"I'm back."

Celeste was still mulling over her complaints when she heard Gideon's steady voice coming from downstairs. She gathered her thoughts and walked down from the upper floor.

Gideon looked up at her and asked, "Is everything ready?"

Seeing him return lifted Celeste's spirits slightly. "I cleared out the inner room on the second floor. Once the girls arrive, we can see if anything else is needed and get it all at once."

Gideon nodded. "That's good. Thanks for your hard work these past few days."

Celeste sank into the couch and took a sip of water to clear her throat. She couldn't help but voice her frustrations.

"I don't mind you taking in Phoebe. She's lost both her parents and grandparents, so she's truly alone. But what's Natalie doing here? She still has a mother and a stepfather."

The coffee table held freshly brewed tea from the housekeeper, Evelyn Harper.

Gideon sat next to Celeste and glanced at her for a second. He then picked up the teacup and blew on it. "Didn't you always want a daughter? You thought our boys were too boisterous. Now, you've got two daughters. Isn't that great?"

Celeste turned to glare at Gideon. "One daughter would have been enough. Why do you have to take in two at once? It's your reputation that benefits, but it's me who has to deal with the extra burden.

"And don't think I don't see what Natalie's mother is up to. She just wants to use Natalie to climb the social ladder here at the base housing. She claims Natalie is too pretty for no one to protect her in the village. I'll see just how beautiful she really is!"

Celeste wasn't just being dramatic. There were plenty of stunning women in Art Corps. A girl like Natalie from the countryside wouldn't stand a chance against them. She wouldn't even be in the running for any high-status match.

Gideon understood that Celeste had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, so he didn't take her words too seriously. "Alright, calm down. Natalie's dad was one of my men who sacrificed for our country. As his supervisor, I have to look after his daughter."

As they spoke, they heard the sound of a car engine coming from the driveway below. Addison was back with the ladies.