Chapter 18
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Kyle walked into the Sinclair mansion to find the living room packed. Rosie was still bawling her eyes out. Back in the day, that would’ve tugged at his heartstrings, but right now, it just left him annoyed as hell.
“What are you still crying for? Didn’t you stir up this whole mess?” Kyle growled.
Rosie choked up instantly, a sob caught in her throat and stuck there, leaving her face flushed red. “Kyle, I never meant for this to happen.” she stammered.
“You told me it was taken care of for good back then, didn’t you?” Kyle pressed, “So how come there are issues now? Are you guys…
“No way.” Kevin cut in, “I personally supervised the cleanup. Besides, it’s been five years. Even if something slipped through, it would’ve been washed away by now. Zina’s just making a last–ditch effort.”
“Either way, you need to handle this mess, or I might just put the engagement on hold.” Kyle shot back, his voice dripping with resentment as an icy stare locked onto Rosie.
Kevin jumped in, his words tumbling out in a rush, “You have my word. I’ll make sure it gets done.”
Kyle’s expression was still nothing to write home about, but he gave Kevin’s hand a firm shake and laid on the pleasantries. “Mr. Sinclair, I might have come on too strong back there. But you get it–we’re family soon. We sink or swim together. My success is your success.”
Kevin nodded along, and in his eyes, there was nothing but cold calculations.
In the Lambert mansion, Zina studied the data on her screen, the tension in her brow finally easing.
A ghost of a smile touching her lips, Zina thought, “The Sinclair family… Since you started this game, I’ll play it through to the end. We’ll see who makes it out alive, and who folds.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door, followed by a muffled voice. “You in there? No answer and I’m out.”
That sulky yet prickly tone–Zina knew exactly who it was without even looking.
Zina didn’t feel like dealing with him, but she opened the door anyway.
Sure enough, Adrian stood there, his strikingly beautiful face practically glowing in the doorway.
But this time, there was no trace of his usual impatience. Instead, an awkward hesitation flickered in his eyes.
“Mom asked me to bring this.” Adrian murmured.
Zina looked down and noticed the bowl in Adrian’s hands–fruit peeled, cut into pieces, and personally brought up to her door.
Zina grumbled inwardly, ‘Peeling skills need work. And these chunks look like a hack job. Isn’t this guy supposed to be a medical doctor? How’d he end up with hands this clumsy?‘
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Chapter 18
Zina folded her arms, a quirky half–smile playing on her lips as she eyed Adrian. “Thanks for this.” she tossed out suddenly, nodding at the bowl, “Shame about the butchered fruit, though.”
“Butchered? Huh?” Adrian puffed up like a startled cat, hurt and glaring at Zina with a faux–fierce squint.
Watching him react exactly as expected, Zina felt her mood lift instantly. “Mr. Lambert, was there anything else you needed?” she asked.
“Uh… “Adrian’s face cycled through a dozen expressions before settling into an agonized wince. “I didn’t know you lived that kind of life back with the Sinclair family. You’re welcome to stay here. Just, just promise you won’t go after Lydia anymore.
“I’ve watched Lydia grow up. She’s been unsettled ever since you came. Not that I’m telling you to leave! I mean… try to figure out how to be around each other. Peacefully.”
Adrian tangled himself up worse with every word, finally raking his fingers through his hair in frustration until dark strands stood up in wild disarray like a messy bird’s nest.
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