Chapter 1274:
He tightened his grip on the ring and lowered his voice. “I made some inquiries. You’re lucky—the surgeon who operated on you is married to an old classmate of mine. The chip in your frontal lobe is a fake. It’s weaker than the original, but at least it won’t self-destruct if someone tampers with it. Still, there’s a real risk of paralysis. If you’re removing it, you’ll need someone extraordinarily skilled. A second brain surgery this soon is no small matter.”
Brad relayed everything to Phil, who responded immediately. “Who’s better than Rylie? Just let her handle it.”
“She’s pregnant,” Brad said without hesitation. “I won’t drag her into this. And it has to stay completely secret—one leak, and the whole plan falls apart.”
Phil frowned. “Then who are you going to find? We’re in the Indoria Federation. We can’t just fly in top surgeons from Eshea.”
J𝘰𝗂𝗻 th𝖾 𝘤𝘰𝗆𝘮𝗎ո𝗶𝗍𝗒 𝖺t 𝗀𝗮𝗅ոo𝘷e𝗅𝘀.сo𝗺
Brad was quiet for a few seconds. “Then we do it at sea. On a ship. It’s isolated, private, and no one will interfere.”
Phil stared at him, stunned, then slowly let it sink in. “But… that’s brain surgery, boss.”
Brad met his gaze without flinching. “I know. That’s exactly why I won’t let her do it. I’m not risking dying on her operating table. Even if the odds are small, I won’t take that chance.”
“Fine,” Phil sighed. “But how are you going to pull this off? Kari’s not an idiot. If you suddenly tell her you’re going out to sea, she’ll get suspicious.”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Brad’s lips. “That’s why,” he said quietly, “I’m taking her with me.”
Phil blinked. “Take her with you?” His eyes went wide. “Boss, have you lost your mind? That’s brain surgery. How are you supposed to manage that with her there?”
Brad didn’t answer right away. He reached into his pocket, unwrapped a mint, and placed it on his tongue. The cool, steady taste helped settle his nerves.
“In half a month, Havenridge Group is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary,” he said. “Luther is hosting a major event at headquarters, and Kari has to be there. But before that, she has a week free.”
Phil frowned. “So?”
“So,” Brad said, his gaze drifting toward the window, “I’ll tell her I want some time alone before the wedding. That we’re going to see the open waters near the Indoria Federation—a luxury cruise, a few quiet days at sea.”
Phil’s mind moved quickly, piecing it together.
“You’re going to make it look like a vacation, sail into international waters, and then…” Brad gave a small nod.
“Go onto the dark web, set up some false identities, and quietly reach out to Rory’s organization. Complete confidentiality,” he said. “Those are my terms.”
Phil drew a long, slow breath.
The plan was reckless—and undeniably clever.
“But…” He hesitated, still uneasy. “When would you even do the surgery? She’ll be with you the entire time. How are you going to find the opportunity?”
Brad’s lips lifted faintly, and Phil understood at once.
“Sherwood.”
Everything seemed to be unfolding precisely according to plan. Kari felt as though she were floating on air, certain that she and Brad had shared a few romantic, unforgettable nights together. She was convinced she had finally captured his heart completely, and her thoughts drifted constantly to the upcoming cruise, imagining every magical moment they would share on the open water.
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