Chapter 79: Paige's Tactics
Ron's lean frame was gradually engulfed by a massive, mountain-like shadow. He looked up to see George Sr.'s furious face: "Boy, where's my beer?"
The outcome was predictable: Ron got thoroughly chewed out by George Sr. While Texas law prohibited corporal punishment, it didn't prohibit grounding, so it had minimal effect on Ron.
Don't forget, he was the starting quarterback of the high school football team. Anyone familiar with football knows that the quarterback is the heart and soul of a team, the field general who orchestrates the offense.
Ron's laser-accurate passing, his agile footwork and blazing speed that rivaled any running back, often became the team's winning formula. So despite being grounded, Ron was able to use his time between games and practices to slip out and hang around, even finding opportunities to spend time with Paige.
It was from this period that Paige began to develop a passion for football. Or rather, it wasn't the sport itself that captivated her, but the player who dominated it.
If she had to identify the exact moment, it was probably that hand that gripped her wrist during the darkest period of her life. The warmth he brought pulled her back from the brink and into the light of the world...
At Caltech, in Howard's lab, as Howard and Raj were celebrating with an enthusiastic victory dance, Ron's eyes finally caught a glimpse of a figure in a skirt lingering in the doorway. If he was right, it had to be Paige.
"As long as the flight control program works, I'll leave the rest to you guys. I'm stepping out for a minute," Ron said, turning to leave.
"When you go to file the patent, remember to split the ownership five ways. One share each for you two, and three for me. Sound fair?"
"Absolutely, our esteemed boss." Howard and Raj tipped imaginary hats to Ron.
By the time Ron exited the lab, Paige had already disappeared from the doorway. But how could a sheltered genius outrun a trained operative? After rounding a corner, Ron finally cornered Paige against the wall with a classic wall-slam move.
"You're already here, and you won't even say hello?"
Paige tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling like precious gems. "If your idea of a greeting involves this sexually aggressive maneuver, then forget it. Believe it or not, if I screamed right now, I could have you arrested for assault."
"Come on! Who would harass a girl with a kid's body..." Ron was halfway through his sentence when he finally noticed that, perhaps because they hadn't seen each other face-to-face in so long, all their communication having been conducted over phone and internet.
Paige looked completely different from what he'd expected. When Ron made his comment about her figure, she even thrust her impressively developed chest forward provocatively.
Ron was immediately stunned. The last time he'd seen Paige, that area had been flatter than a landing strip at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.
Even though Paige possessed an extraordinary IQ, she couldn't help but feel smug at Ron's shocked expression: "Seems like someone needs to apologize for their comments about kids' bodies just now~"
"You... how did you manage that?" Ron stammered: "This is absolutely incredible. You didn't get implants, did you?"
As he said this, Ron made a gesture like inflating a balloon.
Paige punched Ron in outrage. "I would never subject myself to that kind of superficial surgery!"
"Then how did you do it?" Ron scratched his head awkwardly. "I don't think your mom was particularly... well-endowed either... From a genetic standpoint, you wouldn't naturally have... well... you know what I mean?"
Ron spoke carefully, choosing his words to avoid irritating the seemingly innocent girl before him.
Others might not know, but he was all too aware that those psychopaths who'd been terrorizing East Texas, the ones who loved killing people with chainsaws and other brutal methods, had vanished without a trace after their reign of terror.
Their disappearance timeline and location perfectly coincided with Paige's school field trip. Ron refused to believe their vanishing act had nothing to do with Paige.
Although he had no concrete evidence, Ron was convinced that those killers' disappearance was definitely connected to Paige somehow.
"It's an unreleased pharmaceutical compound," Paige said proudly. "Don't worry, it's completely safe. I've tested it thoroughly. I discovered this miracle drug in a pharmaceutical company's internal trial data.
It helped the previous test subject, Max, go from an A-cup to an E-cup. She's currently working at some diner."
Max? Ron pondered the name. He had a gut feeling there was more to Paige's words than met the eye, and he just happened to know someone named Max. Could it really be such a coincidence?
"Yes, it is her. Don't you prefer larger breasts? Are you satisfied now?" Paige boldly kissed Ron on the lips and spoke with newfound confidence.
"Paige, you really don't need to do this." Ron didn't know what to say. The Paige standing before him was completely different from the Paige he remembered from the TV shows. But besides Sheldon, who doesn't change as they mature?
"No, I don't have any family left, so I have to hold onto you, no matter what it takes, Ron," Paige said stubbornly, biting her lip.
"You're not planning to drug me and lock me up in some basement, are you?" Ron joked, trying to lighten the mood, but Paige's expression grew deadly serious.
"That depends on your level of cooperation. Of course, I'll admit that would be my last resort. You don't really think I can't handle someone who only has brute strength going for him, do you? Or would you like to guess what's in my lipstick?"
Paige smiled mischievously, and Ron felt his scalp prickle. He remembered that Paige wasn't just an accomplished hacker—she was also a brilliant chemist, constantly concocting various compounds, some of which had proven invaluable in his previous operations.
This is exactly why I hate dealing with people who have both high IQ and practical skills! Ron opened his mouth to respond but found himself paralyzed. Even exerting all his strength, he could barely part his lips, managing only unintelligible mumbling.
"Damn it! I've been played!"
Paige took charge, helping the weakened Ron lean against the wall while pulling over a small wheeled cart. Only then did Ron notice there had been a medical cart positioned nearby, ready for use.
So this was all part of Paige's plan from the very beginning?!
"Ron, you're mine tonight!" Paige whispered softly in his ear as she helped Ron onto the cart. Ron's consciousness was gradually fading.
In the end, he had only one coherent thought:
This girl is absolutely insane! And I thought I was so smart!
(End of Chapter)
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