Chapter 5 Alice's show of power from Bruke family

• "What's with all the questions? Anyway, Taylor is starting school soon. Kayden, you can take both sisters to Athacier, and let Taylor see how the wealthy live."
• "Mom, I want to go too!"
• A ten-year-old boy protested, wanting to join the trip to Athacier. Jaylee, however, immediately scolded, "Go where? Do you think train tickets are free? The Burke family is really stingy, can't even afford to buy the tickets."
• Jaylee was known to be frugal, often criticizing the Burke family for being tight-fisted. She complained that the whole family was invited to Athacier, but now only Carolyn was allowed to go.
• Seeing his father troubled, Carolyn spoke up, "I'll buy the plane ticket. You don't have to pay."
• "No, the money can't come from you, Carolyn. You don't have much yourself," Kayden said firmly.
• "She may not have money, but her brother does! A little bit from him would be enough to feed us for a lifetime. After all the years we've raised her, buying tickets for the family is the least they could do."
• This time, Kayden stood his ground and bought a few sleeper train tickets himself.
• The family erupted in arguments over those tickets. Jaylee even threw a tantrum and stormed off to her mother's house, refusing to come back.
• Looking at her father, Carolyn reassured him, "Dad, don't worry. I've got the money."
• "There's no way I'm letting you pay. It's our job to get you home, not yours. You'll have to bear with the train ride this time."
• "I don't mind," Carolyn smiled.
• She truly didn't care about how they traveled. As long as she was with her dad, any mode of transportation was fine. But something about the Burke family's sudden call seemed off—it didn't feel like her brothers' doing.
• —
• On the day of departure, Jaylee quietly returned, pretending as if nothing had happened. Early in the morning, the family of five packed their bags and headed to the train station.
• Once aboard, Carolyn climbed to the top bunk of the three-tier sleeper.
• Kayden, after securing the luggage, offered, "Carolyn, take the lower bunk. I'll sleep up top."
• "No need. I like it up here," she insisted.
• Though the top bunk was the narrowest, it didn't bother her at all.
• As night fell, Carolyn sat by the window, eating instant noodles, when she suddenly sensed danger—someone was on top of the train.
• Who would risk their life clinging to the outside of a speeding train?
• Moments later, a group of men passed through the train car, their footsteps steady and strong, clearly professionals. They were likely after whatever was on top of the train.
• Carolyn kept her head down, continuing to eat her noodles. None of this concerned her.
• Outside the train, a helicopter followed closely.
• Cyrus, fully equipped and holding a heavy crossbow, focused on the figure lying atop the train. "Is the internal train security in place?" he asked.
• "Captain, all set. When do we begin the operation?"
• "In one hour, we'll start rounding up the traitors. Make sure not to alert the civilians."
• The night grew darker.
• Carolyn lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The person lying directly above her hadn't moved for a while. Something wasn't right.
• Creak—the train compartment door opened.
• She heard heavy footsteps approaching, her pupils shrinking in realization—the figure outside was a decoy.
• Two sets of footsteps on the roof edged closer to the dummy, while the person inside neared her bed.
• Danger was imminent.
• Whoever was inside planned to ambush the two men outside. But if that happened, her father and siblings could get hurt—or worse, killed.
• A flash of resolve crossed Carolyn's eyes. She tensed, preparing to act before it was too late.
• Outside, Cyrus, realizing the figure was a decoy, glanced down at the train car below, his expression changing, "This is bad! Get down to the lower carriages immediately. We've fallen into a trap."
• Before they could react, a figure was tossed from inside the train, landing heavily on the ground, beaten and bruised.
• "Boss, we've got him. It's definitely the target."
• Cyrus breathed a sigh of relief. "Who took him down?"
• The communication channel went silent for a moment before someone replied, "It wasn't us. We didn't even get there in time."
• Cyrus frowned. Could there be a bounty hunter aboard the train?
• The car beneath him soon grew quiet again.
• Carolyn lay back in her top bunk, feeling the presence of someone checking the situation before leaving shortly after.
• It seemed the danger had passed.
• —
• At nine the next morning, the train arrived at the station on time.
• Carolyn got off with her father and siblings, glancing once more at the roof of the train. Everything seemed calm again, as if nothing had ever happened.
• At the exit, several off-road vehicles were waiting.
• Cyrus, sitting in one of the vehicles, scanned the list of passengers from that train carriage, trying to determine who had intervened.
• "Boss, there are just a few families left. It looks like a family of five."
• Cyrus looked up, his gaze lingering for a moment on the last person—a young girl with a ponytail, wearing black pants and a white t-shirt. Her face was fresh and youthful, with a softness that seemed out of place.
• He looked away. "Run a background check on these people and report back to the academy."
• The convoy quickly left as a Mercedes-Benz pulled up.
• A middle-aged man in a suit stepped out, his brow furrowed at the crowded station. He walked directly over to Carolyn.
• "Miss Carolyn, I'm John Larson, the Burke family's butler. I've come to take you back."
• His tone was polite, but there was an unmistakable air of superiority.
• Kayden and Jaylee were taken aback, unsure how to respond.
• "Alright," Carolyn answered calmly, her expression unchanged.
• The butler glanced at her, slightly surprised. This young girl from the countryside didn't seem to match his expectations—there was no trace of timidity, just calm and composure.
• But when they reached the car, Carolyn noticed a problem—there was only one vehicle, and it couldn't fit all of them.
• She raised her eyes. "Just one car?"
• "Miss Carolyn, my instructions were to bring you alone to the Burke family. As for your guests, we can arrange for them to stay at a hotel nearby. Alice is expecting you, and she doesn't like to be kept waiting."
• John opened the car door for her, but Carolyn didn't move.
• The atmosphere grew awkward.