Chapter 251 - Extended Work Holiday

They returned from the yacht feeling fulfilled and relaxed but also exhausted. Scarlet didn't know if it was a good idea to accompany Claire for cliff diving tomorrow during their free day. Instead, the writer was starting to wish she could take the day off and just relax at the spa with her mother and sister.

They showered quickly and Scarlet started her laptop to check if there were any class assignments that she missed. Although they were on a holiday and working, her lessons were still in session. Apart from her attendance being the only exception, Scarlet was still expected to turn in homework on time.

Halfway through her assignment for the day, Scarlet overheard her mother on the phone. It didn't take a genius to figure out who her mother was talking to. She would only call one person 'darling' with that tone.

"The negotiations have broken down," Wilmer sighed, not wanting to tell his wife everything but he had to ensure their safety. "Could you extend your stay in the Bahamas with the girls for another week?"

Orita didn't say anything for a while, still trying to take in the news about her husband's negotiations with EZ Express. She thought that after Lucian stepped down, they might have a chance to talk it out with Julian but she was wrong. If negotiations failed, she had to assume the worst. Wilmer and Jasper were now in danger too.

"I see," her tone was neutral and Wilmer worried that his wife was displeased. She might have been unhappy but it would never be due to his lack of capability. All she wanted was for her family to be whole again but she understood certain things couldn't be rushed.

"Let us know when we can return. If it drags for too long I might arrange for us to go to another country or a short cruise trip. The girls can take it easy for a few more days in the Bahamas but there really isn't much here for them.

Wilmer understood what his wife was saying. "Would it help if we got photographers over? I think Alex wanted to work on a new summer project for Golden Frost. I heard it from Jasper."

"That's actually not a bad idea," Orita agreed. "I'll check with the girls later. Please stay safe."

"I will," Wilmer promised.

Right after the call ended, Orita left to find Jenna and Claire to inform them about the change of plans. Scarlet who heard half of the conversation couldn't help but be curious. What was going on with Wilmer and Jasper? For them to work together on a project that not even Alex heard about... the writer couldn't help but feel as if there was something more. Edward was suddenly called in for a two-week job and she wondered if that wasn't a coincidence. Maybe the boys were just collaborating so that they could send the girls away for some reason. She might not know the details but Scarlet wasn't pleased. If they told her their problems, Scarlet was certain that the girls of the Wilde family won't just sit back doing nothing.

Despite being unhappy and tired, Scarlet actually managed to complete her online homework before Alex finished her bath. They had some supper after that and Scarlet appreciated the sweet treat. Jenna's ice-cream crepes were delicious and it lifted her mood magically.

"Girls, I had a call from you father," Orita announced and at once, they paused to give her their full attention. Orita pulled some strings and Jenna called all the available photographers that Alex previously worked with. Claire also helped with the planning and they decided to drag the work holiday for a little longer.

"We're going to extend our stay for a bit until your father and Jasper have gotten an agreement on that important business deal. They need to invite clients over so to prevent getting in the way of their work, I agreed to lengthen our stay in the Bahamas."

It was too sudden that Alex and Scarlet didn't know how to react. The sisters exchanged a look. Something was definitely up but they didn't have a say in what to do because Jenna was already informing them the plans for the coming week.

"Tomorrow we have arranged a spa and beauty treatment for half a day so that you can take the pressure from today's interview off," the lady butler explained and Claire told Scarlet that their extreme sports adventure would be postponed until further notice.

"We cannot have you looking all tanned and tired before the photographers arrive."

Confused, Alex asked what they were referring to.

Orita exchanged looks with Jenna and Claire pretended not to know until the girls demanded answers. Deciding to shift the blame to Jasper, Orita laughed and told her daughters that Jasper sent some photographers over to help them with their newest Golden Frost Summer launch.

"Don't be angry with him," the heiress tried to pacify Alex who was fuming about having to work during the holidays. Yet, she had to admit the idea wasn't bad.

"Did you purposely set this up in the Bahamas as a surprise? I mean, We've been talking about some outdoor shoot but this seemed a little too convenient," Scarlet chimed in before Alex could throw a hissy fit. The writer had to give her mother the benefit of doubt because while the trip was planned in a very sudden manner that coincided with the important business meeting that Jasper had while Edward and Elfie were away on a job, Scarlet wanted to keep her sister out of everything for as long as possible. She didn't know how much Orita knew about Anastasia and the plans to take him down but she hoped her mother would not interfere as much.

Sensing that there was a way out to shift Alex's focus, Orita quickly agreed and somewhere in New York, Jasper sneezed thrice.

"I mean, we didn't expect an extended stay but I meant it when I said this was a work holiday. It's a great opportunity to temporarily get back into the fashion world while you're on a holiday, nobody would be suspecting it!"

It was a flimsy reason but Alex decided to let it go. What's done was done and there was no use getting angry over things like that. Sure, the model might be missing a few interesting social events and classes at the campus but that wasn't a very big issue. It was a shame that she had to miss one live-sketching session that she had been looking forward to. She didn't have her sketchpad for figure-sketching and that was Alex's biggest regret.

"I'm missing out on a lot of classes, mom. Please don't ever do this again. I don't mind missing the social events but missing a live-sketching session is bad. I don't even have my sketchbook now to practice on this island because I was told it'll only be for an extended weekend and not a week."

Scarlet felt bad for her sister and Orita apologised.

"Sorry darling, I won't do it again. However, if it is a sketchbook and art materials that you want, we can buy some from the main Bahamas island or have them shipped over by tomorrow. Why don't you let Jenna know the list of things you need for practising? Also, we can take this opportunity to bring over some of the new collection clothing that you want to model for. We will settle this by next Wednesday."

Claire discreetly left while the girls discussed the things they needed for work and school with their mother while Jenna noted everything down into her PDA. The head maid had to make an urgent call to Edward and update him about the situation. So far, Raven and the rest of her guards had secured the island. There were also cameras hidden all over the private island to ensure that no intruders would go unnoticed. However, there was one thing that was beyond her control.

"What is it? I heard that there was an extension for their stay in the Bahamas."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Claire said. "The photographers and the extra hands coming, could you screen them for me? I want to also mix in a few of our security personnel to smuggle some tools just in case. Have you found out the inner workings of the power supporting Anastasia?"

At this, the spy sighed. "Not much help as of now, I found all the legal complications and evidence that we can use to cripple EZ Express and Julian but it isn't enough. He has too many friends in high places and he covered his father's tracks too well. Elfie is trying to hack into their bank accounts but they are very cautious and have been changing accounts using many different names, we cannot track them all."

"How long do you need? Scarlet and Alex cannot be kept here for too long, they have to return to New York by the end of next week."

Edward bit his lips. "I'll do my best, just hold on a little longer and don't leave their sides. Orita might be a target as well, it's best if all three of them can stick together. I cannot stop Alex and Scarlet from attending school but you can hire some people to slip into the school just in case. Julian is getting impatient, he will start planning something big after that exclusive interview is launched. I don't want them to get in contact with CEO Zhu either so do what you can to prevent them from contacting each other. They spy on his side is too close, I don't want them endangered."

Claire agreed. The cut the call short after finalising some last details and Claire got to work immediately, visiting the cellar that was remodelled to their security room. None of the girls knew about this and Claire wanted to keep it this way. If Anastasia started a raid at the Wilde mansion, this would be a safe place to hide them for a while even though it would be better if they had no need to resort to this in the first place.