Chapter 409 - Men Don't Like Aggressive Women

That night the Schneider family and friends enjoyed drinks and togetherness which rarely happened. Lauriel and his men talked about the facial sketches of Takeshi and Mischa that Nicolae had made, while Peach and Endo discussed their plan to infiltrate Rhionen Industries headquarters in China.

"If all this fails, I will need your help, Marion," Lauriel said, clearing his throat. He turned to Marion who was leaning against the wall while Jean massaged her 'sprained' ankle.

The girl was not paying any attention to Lauriel because she was fascinated by how expertly Jean massaged her legs. She wouldn't even mind if she had to sprain her ankle for real. Lauriel had no choice but to cough a little and repeat his words.

"Marion," Jean patted Marion's knee because the girl was still dumbfounded.

The girl widened her eyes in surprise. "What is wrong?"

Jean leaned his chin towards Lauriel who was staring at them with an impatient look.

"I said, if we fail to find the Rhionen Assassins in that way, I will need your help," Lauriel repeated his words.

"Oh, why... of course, Lauriel," Marion said casually. She looked back at Jean and gave a signal for him to continue the massage. Marion waved her hand nonchalantly, "I will infiltrate wherever and whenever needed."

"Uhm ..." Lauriel's face seemed to tense up. Given her current attitude, he did not know whether Marion took their mission seriously. He guessed that Marion and Jean were deliberately trying to make him jealous but he could not do anything, because he had no right to forbid Marion from dating anyone. He cleared his throat. "So, you know what to do?"

Marion nodded. "Sure. I have to disguise myself as Aleksis to lure Alaric Rhionen out."

Everyone was surprised to hear Marion's words uttered in such a relaxed manner.

"You already know everything?" Lauriel asked in amazement. He did not expect that without being told, Marion had understood everything that had happened and even knew what had to be done.

"Who is Alaric Rhionen?" asked Jean in surprise. "Does it have something to do with Rhionen Industries?"

Marion nodded. "Rhionen Industries is actually the legal version of Rhionen Assassins. They are very dangerous and mysterious. We may not even be able to find them, so our last option would be to lure the leader out using 'Aleksis', because he seems to have a relationship with Aleksis Schneider."

Jean was stunned to hear that. He turned to Finland and found that his best friend was as surprised as he was.

Finland did not yet know in detail what had happened to Aleksis. She turned to Caspar and asked for an explanation. Her husband looked uncomfortable.

"Was Aleksis involved with dangerous people ???" Finland asked hysterically. "Why didn't anyone tell me anything? She is my daughter!"

"Honey, I don't want you to be worried. Let us take care of it. Everything will be fine," Caspar tried to persuade his wife who started to panic. "Lauriel and I, and even Aldebar are putting our efforts into this. We will find out whoever is behind all this."

Finland shook her head frantically, she immediately excused herself and entered Aleksis' treatment room. She felt very uneasy after hearing that her daughter was involved with dangerous people. She became increasingly afraid to let her children go to the outside world.

Jean observed everything with a worried look. He regretted not having any resources to help Caspar and Lauriel; he was just a mere actor.

Lauriel took a deep breath. He finished his beer and then refilled his glass until it was full. "It's good that Marion understands. Next week we will gather at Grosseto. I hope you get better soon."

Marion nodded. "Will do, Lauriel."

When it was late and everyone had to leave, Marion whispered to Jean to drive her home.

"I can't go home alone with a 'sprained' ankle, right? You must borrow a car and take me home." said the girl. "My house is in Basel."

Jean opened the map and frowned, "That's two hours away."

"Do you want my Mona Lisa painting or not?" Marion asked, holding out her hand so Jean would help her stand up.

Jean could only shake his head. Actually he was not serious about the agreement he made with Marion. He knew that the Mona Lisa painting was Marion's pride and most valuable possession, because she often boasted about as her most epic theft. Jean was not too fond of paintings anyway, especially the ones that were on the Mona Lisa genre.

"All right," he said finally. He helped Marion get up and approached Caspar to borrow a car.

"Why not just take a driver?" Caspar asked in confusion.

Marion hurriedly replied, "Because Jean will stay overnight."

Out of the corner of her eye she glanced at Lauriel and tried to see his reaction.

Success! Lauriel looked stunned and frowned, then sighed and then entered the house.

Jean shrugged and pointed at Marion, "Like she said."

Caspar could only narrwed his eyes at the two people suspiciously and then called in his staff to bring the keys to his Mercedes. "Be careful."

"Thank you."

Jean returned to his duties as a good 'lover' and carried Marion, whose ankle had been 'sprained,' into the car. Ten minutes later they were driving on the A1 highway to Basel.

"Thank you for all your help today," Marion said on the way. She kissed Jean on the cheek when the man was driving.

Jean turned to her in surprise and smiled as he raised his eyebrows, "What's this for? Don't tell me you've fallen in love with me."

Marion hit his shoulder. "Shameless! If you said such shameless things again, I will kill you and hide your body in Jungfrau so that no one will be able to find you for hundreds of years."

"Ouch ... are you always this excited?" Jean asked, laughing. "Men don't like aggressive women."

Marion just pursed her lips and did not reply.