The Billionaire Twins Need A New Mommy!-Chapter 662: First Time I’ve Seen Her Smile

"Madam! Please show yourself!"

"Madam, please don’t be like this!"

The group searched the residence and its surrounding area, shouting for Lola to show herself and take responsibility for them. A few of them almost caught her, but Lola escaped skillfully—proof of how she had managed to steal all those blueprints and get away in the past.

Sure enough, being called the Thief of Ravah was well earned.

Those inside the residence who nearly got tangled in the chaos that started in the garden could only shake their heads. Some even joined the search party because, in her mission to escape, Lola had managed to mess things up for them as well.

"Hmm?" Atlas stopped in the hallway on the third floor, right in front of a window.

He stepped closer and looked down, spotting several of his men shouting, "Madam!" while others searched the grounds. Tomie joined him and chuckled at the sight.

"I guess they’re finally asking her for a reward," Tomie said with amusement. "She’s back to her usual self. I was worried when she slept for an entire day."

Atlas remained quiet, eyes still lowered. "What makes you think they’re asking for rewards?"

"It’s not?" Tomie knitted his brows and glanced back at the search party. "I thought she promised them rewards if they performed well. She’s that type... am I wrong?"

This time, Atlas didn’t answer, letting Tomie piece it together on his own. Baby had already informed him of the group’s plan and even asked Atlas for permission to receive his share of punishment.

"Either way, it’s quite a sight," Tomie chuckled. "They look like children."

His expression softened. "It makes me look forward to the day when the people of Ravah—especially the children—can run through the streets and play without a care."

"..." Atlas took a breath and stepped away from the window. "Let’s go."

As he resumed walking, he muttered, "They’ll keep her busy for now."

Whether Atlas wanted it or not, he had to deal with what remained of Ravah. Initially, he hadn’t planned on taking it over. His preparations were meant only to ensure Lola’s safety—to rescue her if the worst happened.

What changed his mind?

Slater.

Atlas knew Lola wouldn’t want Ravah under his rule because of the added burden it would place on him. He agreed. He had learned long ago that he was human, and that even with the Order in his hands, he couldn’t save everyone.

But Ravah was an exception.

Why?

Because controlling New Gehran alone wouldn’t give him or Slater access to Ashkar. If he wanted to investigate the place that had left such a lasting impression on Slater, Ravah had to be under his complete control.

So after careful consideration, he placed Ravah under the Order.

It wasn’t as terrible as he’d expected, though there were still many issues to address. Thankfully, the new governess of Halvik was cooperating, and Slater was temporarily overseeing Ashkar with the support of his men.

As they walked side by side in silence, Tomie spoke again.

"Haha..." he chuckled softly. "Just days ago, Ravah stood tall and untouchable. Each region seemed invincible. But now that I think about it... Ravah was nothing more than a shell of power, but hollow on the inside."

No one had realized it until the Zorken family challenged it, and the Order exposed just how fragile Ravah had become.

"This is what the late Governor Makoto warned us about," Tomie sighed. "He predicted Ravah’s fall—not from outside forces, but from how its economy revolved entirely around those in power."

And indeed, it had come true.

"Ravah would have fallen even if I hadn’t picked a fight with it," Atlas replied calmly. "And what the late governor said wasn’t a prediction, it was an inevitability. A nation is its people. The government exists for them, not the other way around." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Tomie smiled, reminded of Makoto’s words from years past.

Lowering his head respectfully, he murmured, "That is right, Mr. President."

*****

"Damn it." Lola’s face twitched as she tiptoed toward a car in the driveway. As she approached, she scanned the area to make sure no one had spotted her.

She ducked lower when she noticed more people joining the search party.

"Why are there even more people looking for me?" she muttered. "I already apologized for the paperwork I crashed into."

Clicking her tongue, she reached for the front passenger door. That wasn’t a problem. She could crawl to the driver’s seat. Going directly to the driver’s side would raise her risk of exposing herself to the group of masochists eager for punishment.

"I’ll just be careful—ah!"

To her horror, the driver’s seat was already occupied.

Her eyes widened as she slowly registered Scarlet sitting there.

Cold and indifferent, Scarlet shot her a side glance. Before Lola could jump back out, Scarlet grabbed her by the back.

"Where are we going?" Scarlet asked flatly. "Relax. I’m not here to ask for anything."

Lola twisted her neck to look at her. "Really?"

"Tsk." Scarlet clicked her tongue and released her, settling back into her seat. "You’re heading downtown, right?"

She paused, then added, "I’ll drive you."

Lola blinked repeatedly as Scarlet reversed and drove away from the governor’s residence.

"How did you know I’d be here?" Lola asked, genuinely curious.

"Pattern," Scarlet replied without looking away from the road. "You leave every day to check on the people. I figured you’d escape instead of dealing with everyone."

Lola nodded slowly. "I didn’t expect that."

Atlas was busy, and Lola figured she might as well check on the residents herself. It had only been a few days, and everyone was still adjusting. The fighting had ended, but reassurance for the people was still needed.

"You’re really taking me downtown?" Lola asked.

Scarlet nodded. "Why? You think I’m being nice, so you’ll punish me too?"

"That question is strange in itself, you know?"

"I’m not as desperate as the others," Scarlet said, glancing at her. "When you’re ready, just pick which toe or finger you want to remove."

"Wow."

"You always tease me about my missing toes," Scarlet replied matter-of-factly. "So I figured you’d stare at them while deciding my punishment. I’ve already gone through one amputation. So, it doesn’t scare me."

Lola’s face twitched at Scarlet’s calm acceptance. Speechless, she could only shake her head.

"Just drive," she waved dismissively. "And let’s not talk about punishment. It’s making me dizzy."

Yet as she leaned back, her brows twitched when she noticed the faint smile at the corner of Scarlet’s lips.

Hah... that’s the first time I’ve seen her smile.