Chapter 39
The sky was getting lighter, and with it, we both got dressed.
“There’s another thing–I want two people from my side to join you from today so we can work on the rescue plan for Patronus since everything is all tangled up.”
“Patronus?” he asked, confused, as he slipped into his shirt. His fresh clothes were neatly placed on the balcony by one of the men he had stationed here. When I saw them, it felt both weird and embarrassing.
“Oh, right, um… for the purpose of keeping things discreet, in case anything ever slips, we call my mother ‘Patronus.”
He nodded but was chuckling under his breath.
“Something funny?” I asked.
“No.” His voice was thick with amusement. “I can believe this organization started when you were fourteen.”
“You named your club ‘Devil’s Lair,“” I said, deadpan.
“That wasn’t me–that’s all on Uncle Ted,” he defended.
“Uncle Ted?” I asked.
“He manages the club.”
“He’s your real uncle?”
“My mother’s brother.” He had this smile on his face that showed he was fond of him. This was the first time any of his real, living family had been mentioned.
“You’re close.”
“He’s the one who kept my parents‘ memory alive. If it depended on my grandfather…”
There was no need for him to say more. He always spoke neutrally about his grandfather. I wanted to know more, but our time was running short.
Killian’s expression turned serious.
“Give me your phone,” he said.
I nodded.
He took my phone from the study table, turned it around in his hands, thinking, before his eyes moved to the other one on the balcony.
“This isn’t the one you were repairing.” He looked at me. Yes, it was identical to the one I had taken to Devil’s Lair. They were both gray, same brand, model, and make–only their functions were different
“Yes, because this is Mila’s phone,” I said, then went to the balcony, picking up the phone lying between tools on the little table I had set up. Brushing away any specks of dust, I wondered how I had forgotten it outside like this.
“This is M’s phone,” I said, unlocking it with a fingerprint and handing it to him. “You can program the numbers here.”
“Meticulous,” he murmured.
I shrugged at the comment. I watched him diligently input the numbers. I thought he would question my reasoning, but instead, he simply started planning a meeting.
1/4
Chapter 39
We decided to meet at Devil’s Lair to set up a plan.
When I checked the clock, it was time for him to leave, and my heart sank. The task ahead was going to take too much from me.
“What is it?” His voice was low.
“Don’t go.” The vulnerable little voice didn’t even sound like mine.
He straightened his posture.
“Mila…”
I closed my eyes and composed myself. “It’s nothing,” I said, looking back at him. There was no need for him to know.
“I hate when you do this,” he said, frustrated. “I’m here–when will you get that?” He brushed his knuckles against my cheek.
I still couldn’t believe it. I took his hand, and he tilted his head, his expression stiffening when I didn’t answer. That look of his created a pressure in my
heart.
“Apparently, they’re holding a service for Grace Milton. Adeline is taking me.”
“Are you sure you want Adeline alive?” His jaw tightened.
“Tell me you’re joking.”
“Twenty percent,” he answered.
“Twenty percent,” I repeated, sighing, not sure whether to laugh or frown.
When Killian left, the silence was deafening for some reason. I felt dissociated as I went downstairs for breakfast. The closer I got, the harder it became to keep up this facade. My heart felt light, my steps lighter–making it even harder to keep an expressionless face.
I almost smiled at the staff–the woman sweeping the floor. I think her name starts with a D. She looked like she had seen a ghost when I nodded and nearly smiled before controlling it.
As I walked, I caught my reflection in a painting that hung above the stairs. I hadn’t bothered to tie my hair, and for the first time, they were completely free, just the way Killian had left them. I brushed through them lightly.
“Are you in love?” The disgust in Nicolai’s tone almost shattered my good mood.
“How would I dare? You like to take it away,” I said with a fake smile. The jab hit right on target, and his already twisted expression turned even sourer.
“Do you think just because your birthday is near, you’ll be the next queen of the Anderson Empire? Is that why your attitude is changing?” he seethed.
“No. My attitude is reserved for the likes of you,” I said.
Before Nicolai could say anything-
“Do me a favor, dear brother, and fuck off,” I said in the most polite tone.
Taking a deep breath, I descended the stairs, preparing my mind for the day ahead. Damn him! I had reacted too much. But why did he always have to show up when I was either happy or regretting my life choices?
The first thing in the morning, Franny said sweetly, “Good morning.”
The first thing Adeline said to me was, “Why is your hair open? It’s not appropriate. Before we go, you must braid it.”
2/4
Chapter 39
I had no idea how she managed to sneer and look elegant at the same time,
I touched my neck. The marks were no lighter than the last time. For once, I was grateful not to be the center of attention–a simple cover–up worked,
Thank goodness it was October. Lopted for a black, full–sleeved V–neck dress that reached my knees and a matching scarf. With a coat on, nothing would
be visible.
The real issue was that because of Grace Milton, I couldn’t go to the bunker, I could only send a message about the meeting at Devil’s Lair for Tong and Misha. Yup, that would make Jina squirm. Misha hadn’t been there when I went to take Kevin back from Devil’s Lair.
I still had to decide on the best course of action for Patronus. Should we move the date earlier than originally planned? Wouldn’t that leave me with one less leverage against Adeline, making me completely dependent on the Knights? I still couldn’t see any advantage in changing the date.
I looked around the table. My gaze stopped at Adeline.
Except… there was a chance she might try something before that day. But how far was she willing to go?
All of these thoughts built another headache, and my hand started to twitch. I swallowed the half of food left on my plate and sat back, waiting. Suddenly, my heart felt heavy.
“If you are done, we will leave in an hour. You wait in the living room.”
And just like that, I was dismissed. I really didn’t have anything better to do, so I went to the living room and sat on the couch. Crossing my leg, my hands went down to play with the anklet. Then the phone rang, but it wasn’t anyone’s smartphone–it was the landline. The old landlines were still installed, but they rarely rang.
But as our company shares were about to crash, my father stormed out of the dining hall and into his study. Adeline followed.
Well, that’s interesting.
I relaxed back on the couch. Whatever it was, it must be something to put my father’s heels on fire.
I pulled my phone from my dress pocket and put my AirPods in, switching to the recording device in my father’s study.
The noises from the device filtered into my AirPods.
“Killian, my friend!” My father’s voice sounded cheery, but it was undoubtedly on edge. What the hell is Killian doing?
A silence followed.
“No, no, absolutely not,” Mr. Anderson said, followed by another short silence, and then, “Yes, of course.”
Maybe I should have bugged the landlines directly. This one–sided conversation is very frustrating.
“Yes, of course, it would be a pleasure to receive you.”
I stilled for a moment. What does this mean?
Adeline asked the same question when the call ended.
“Killian Knight is coming to lunch.”
A heavy pause followed.
“What does he mean by this? Last time-”
“Last time, you crossed a line,” came a cold reply.
“Everything I am doing, I am doing for our son,” Adeline said.
3/4
11:26 Thu, 10 Jul
Chapter 39
“If Nicolai had listened to me when he came of age, we wouldn’t have to be so dependent
This is the first time I’m hearing this.
“You have no love for your son! Sending him among killers–do you want him dead?”
on the Knights‘ mercy,” Mr. Anderson said.
“Every Anderson was a Shadow Knight once. This ensures the trust between our two organizations.”
66%
(+28)
I frowned at that statement. That was something I had never been told or even heard mentioned before. Every Anderson was a Shadow Knight once?
“I do not care about the Anderson–Knight partnership. My son is not going to die for
your
ambition.”
“Until now, this was our ambition, but now that it’s your life at risk, you do whatever you want, and I never stopped you,” his voice was getting colder.
Recently, their conversations had none of the care and love they used to have. Maybe the CCTV footage did what it was supposed to do. It wasn’t pleasant, but it did give me a sense of contentment.
“Do not forget–with Anderson’s inheritance, one also becomes the half–owner of the Shadow Knight organization. If your son wants to sit on the throne of the Anderson Empire, he has to wear a Shadow Knight crown.”
My heart stopped. This was never mentioned anywhere. The contents of my grandfather’s will had always been a confidential matter. No matter how hard I tried, I could never find out the specifics.
Half of the Shadow Knight Organization comes with Anderson’s inheritance. Does Killian know that? He does know about the will.
“And if Killian Knight won’t come to our side, all of this–including half of the Shadow Knight Organization–will be Mila’s.”
宙
