Chapter 40
“He is coming for lunch. We have to receive him. You cannot go anywhere. And Mila…”
“She will leave for college.”
“Yes, it’s better if she stays out of Killian’s sight,” Mr. Anderson agreed.
In the next 20 seconds, Adeline walked out of the study, and I put my phone and AirPods back, regaining my composure.
“Plans have changed. You are going to college.”
I didn’t protest. I just nodded and went upstairs, picked up my bag, and left without looking anywhere. Killian’s sudden arrival had truly turned the atmosphere 180 degrees.
When I got into the car and looked at David, I wondered–if Killian knew about this, why hadn’t he said anything? Was this for my protection or my imprisonment? I closed my eyes for a moment, relaxing in my seat as my thoughts churned.
—“He is under your command. You can go anywhere you want and do as you please. He won’t tell me anything, and I won’t ask. You have all the control.“—
—“Who else would I vote for? You know I’m on your side, princess,”
–A deafening crack–a gunshot.–
I opened my eyes. We were outside the campus. I sighed. Killian Knight’s make me question everything.
I got out of the car. How had my day started, and how was it going now? Plagued with doubts.
I wanted one simple thing–to get out of this life and live as I pleased with my mother. Why did everyone make me doubt them?
I watched as the car drove off. It didn’t enter the parking lot. What does David do when he’s not here?
I took the sidewalk, slipping my hands into my coat pockets. Keeping my distance from one person should have saved me from all this overthinking. And yet, somehow, I feel closest to him. But all this thinking just makes it frustrating.
I sighed, the heaviness in my chest increasing. I realized the light feeling was new. This was the feeling I had lived with all my life, and yet, this was the feeling I didn’t want to experience anymore.
A coldness swept over me despite the warm coat.
“I hope this is not the way you usually leave for your workplace.”
A familiar car stopped beside me, and Killian stepped out. A cream–colored shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, light gray pants. His hair was styled, a watch on his wrist as he rested his hand on the roof.
My heart skipped a beat. But then, the reminder of what I had heard–and the possibility of what it meant–turned it numb. I composed myself.
Another reminder sent my heart into turmoil–his shoulder was still wounded, yet he was driving.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He walked toward me. “After last night, you’re questioning whether I can handle myself or not?”
I looked away from him and started walking, my cheeks growing warmer. Why do I even try? Why does he always make me go
soft?
“Alright, I won’t tease you.”
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– 11:26 Thu 10 Jul 1
Chapter 40
He grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop. I sighed. I needed to ask him, but I didn’t know how. Was a direct approach really better?
I stood beside him.
“I’m fine, trust me.”
He touched my chin, and I nodded, accepting it.
He gazed at me for a second, and concern overtook his face.
“What happened?” He held my hands.
“Nothing. Why are you here?” I asked.
“I thought, since you might have already had breakfast, maybe you’d like to go have coffee with me?”
“Coffee?”
“You’re still surprised.”
“Don’t you have an appointment?” I asked.
“What appointment?”
I raised an eyebrow. By now, he should know that I would know. My expression clearly gave him a clue about what I was talking about.
“Oh, that. I’m not really going.”
“Excuse me?” I frowned.
“I just wanted to give them a scare, so Adeline would throw away the idea of taking you to Grace Milton’s service.”
I stared at him in disbelief. The wind picked up, blowing strands of my hair from my braid, brushing against my cheeks. Killian brushed them away.
“I like it when your hair is open.”
His fingers brushed my cheek softly.
I grabbed his hands and clutched them.
“You can’t do this,” I whispered, though even I didn’t know what I was talking about.
“We’re back to this again?”
He looked slightly off at my comment, glancing at my hand still holding his away from my face.
“I don’t mean this.” I squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Imeant, you called this morning, and Anderson Mansion turned into a scene like someone announced a stock market crash.”
“Really? Has my impact lessened so much? It should at least feel like a war is about to start.”
“I’m not laughing.” I deadpanned.
He grinned. “I thought of several ways to stop you from going. This was the easiest.”
“Have you considered that this might impact you?”
“How?”
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Chapter 40
“It’s insulting. This might change their perspective–from needing you to wanting to destroy you.”
“You’re scared for me.” His eyes twinkled.
“No, just saying. I know you can’t afford it.”
“As long as we’re clear,” he said arrogantly.
“Coffee?” he asked, smiling as he opened the car door for me.
“You’re taking this dating thing quite seriously.”
I slipped into the car.
“When it comes to you, I take everything seriously.”
He shut the door. My shoulders fell as I sighed.
I was once again here. I saw him, and all my logic seemed to go on vacation.
He walked around the car and got in.
“Will you tell me what happened?”
I straightened my back. “Nothing,” I said, putting my seatbelt on.
“There’s something.” He wasn’t letting it go.
“Why are the Andersons so scared of you?” I asked instead.
“I’ve never met a person who isn’t.” He admitted it as if it were a simple fact rather than arrogance. “Except you.”
“What makes you think I’m not scared of you?”
“Are you?”
I shook my head and looked away from him. Maybe that was the problem. If I feared him, would it be better?
“You doubt me, but you’re not scared of me,” he stated. “Will you tell me what happened that made you doubt me? Was it because I called Anderson Mansion, and you thought I was playing you?”
“No. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are confused as to what you’re planning, but they’re desperate to please you. I know you have a bigger share, but if they think my inheritance is secured, why do the Andersons still depend on the Knights‘ support?”
Hooked at him.
“At the end of the day, Anderson Empire is Anderson’s, isn’t it?” I asked.
Our eyes met, and a knowing expression crossed his face.
“The file I gave you listed the stake distribution of Anderson Group companies. It had more in it. You haven’t read it, have you?”
It had only been the day before yesterday, and in the last 48 hours, a lot had happened. I hadn’t had a chance to read it.
“You…”
66%
I quickly unzipped my bag. I had never taken that file out.
“I thought you knew at first, but then it became clear you didn’t. That’s why I came to you that night. It’s dangerous for you to stay in Anderson Mansion,
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11:20 Inu,
Chapter 40
but as long as your mother is with them, I know you won’t leave. So, I can only provide you with protection.”
I pulled out the file and turned it over. It held a single deed for a place far off the map in New York. The map indicated abandoned land. Half of it was going to be inherited by me.
I turned the page, and the layout of the map changed. Clearly, it was the layout of a massive underground facility.
“These are the maps of the Shadow Knight headquarters.”
“The land is half–owned by the Andersons. It belonged to your grandfather after your great–grandfather, and now your grandfather has left it to you. Of course, because of the nature of the Shadow Knight Organization, not everything can be put on paper. The land deed of the headquarters serves as both a promise and proof.”
“Half?”
I was astonished. I had heard it from Mr. Anderson, but seeing the proof in my hands…
“Exactly half. Half yours and half mine.”
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