2025-06-09 22:32:52
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CHAPTER 292
He had always known Kalista was reckless. But it was different hearing it from someone else, especially someone who wasn’t trying to attack her, just trying to make him see what he had refused to acknowledge all this time.“She’s all I’ve got left,” Xander said softly, his voice barely audible.Marcus looked away, jaw clenched.Tedmond’s voice was gentler now. “Then teach her how to survive without leaning on you for everything. Because right now, she’s not surviving—she’s hiding behind you. And one day, you won’t be there.”Xander sat still, his hands folded tightly in his lap, eyes fixed on the polished table.He didn’t argue anymore. He couldn’t.Because everything they said—every word—was right.“I will ask how this ties into our discussion?” Xander asked.Tedmond didn’t hurry to respond. He simply poured himself a glass of wine and leaned back against the couch.“Do you know that Kalista Marinos has another fiancé—someone who isn’t Marcus Sebastian, but her actual fiancé?” Tedmon
CHAPTER 291
The room remained still for a moment after Persis spoke, the weight of her words hanging like fog in the air.Marcus glanced at Xander, his eyes pleading, silently saying he was tired—tired of talking, tired of defending both Kalista and Xander.Seeing the look, Xander’s jaw tightened. His fist curled slightly on the table, then he looked up and met Persis’s gaze.“Can I ask how long you’ve known the relationship was fake from our end?” he asked evenly.“Half a day,” she replied. “But does that matter?”Xander shook his head. “Nope. I was just wondering how this has anything to do with Kalista spilling hot soup on Mr. Washington. I’d prefer if we got straight to the point so I can know what kind of compensation you’re expecting.”There was a beat of silence.“All right,” Howard said. “We’ll go straight to the point.”Relieved, Xander gave a sharp nod.Marcus exhaled quietly, thankful that the endless tension might finally ease. Maybe now he could think straight—perhaps now they’d just
CHAPTER 290
Inside, the atmosphere was luxurious and hushed. Low lighting, soft jazz, and murmured conversations surrounded them. The scent of truffle and wine lingered in the air as the maître d’ approached.“Reservation under the Washingtons. Private room 290,” Xander said calmly.“Of course, sir. Please follow me.”They were led through a narrow hallway, past curtained booths and secluded corners, until they reached a matte black door with 290 etched discreetly in gold.The maître d’ bowed slightly and departed.Xander and Marcus exchanged a look. Pausing, Xander began fixing his cufflinks, his face unreadable. Though petrified inside, he knew better than to let it show.Marcus lowered his voice. “Last chance to fake a stomach ache. Fixing your cufflinks won’t change a thing.”“Shut up.”“We could still walk out and let Kalista handle the mess herself.”Xander ignored him and knocked twice.Before he could suppress the expression on his face, the door opened almost immediately.Startled by the
CHAPTER 289
As soon as the line connected, Aris barked, “Is there a way for you to check if a member of the Washington family made a reservation anywhere?”There was a pause before the man replied, “Of course, sir. Do you want it for today or for the next few days?”“Today. And the Damons too. Every single name connected to both families. Restaurants, hotels, private clubs—I want it all. Right now.”“Yes, sir. I’ll send the team on it immediately.”Aris ended the call and tossed the phone onto the couch, grinding his teeth. He stalked back to his desk, slamming his palms onto its surface.He had thought Tedmond would be attracted to his daughter and that they would form a connection. But that hadn’t happened. Worse, Tedmond wasn't as meek as Aris had expected.Since Tedmond had only recently returned to the family, Aris had assumed he’d be timid, clueless about how elite society worked, and easy to manipulate.But no.That boy had slipped through every trap without falling into a single one. Even
CHAPTER 288
Kallista peeked out from behind the door, glancing down the hallway. When she saw it was empty, she finally stepped away from her hiding spot and began walking quietly along the corridor.She stopped at the end of the hallway, where a door to the right was located. Gripping the doorknob, she pushed it open slightly and peeked inside. Seeing no one there, she slipped in."I have to be fast before Xander returns," she murmured to herself.The room she had entered was Xander’s study. He had left the house earlier, so she knew she had time to do what she needed.Getting the company’s new product blueprints would be enough to secure a little money for her fiancé, once he manufactured and sold the product before the company launched it.She had barely taken a step toward the table when the door suddenly burst open. Flinching, she spun around to see who it was.Marcus stood there, half-dressed, yawning, with a tired expression on his face as he glanced at her."What are you doing?" he asked,
CHAPTER 287
“Everything about the Marinos is here?” Tedmond asked.Howard grinned. “All of it. Want me to walk you through it?”Tedmond gave a small nod. It was better to have Howard summarize it so he could read through the details later himself.Howard flipped open the first file. “The Marino family looks perfect on the surface—wealthy, well-connected, spotless reputation. But the reality? A mess.”Rick leaned back with his arms folded. Persis watched Howard closely, eager to hear what he had to say. The Washingtons were more connected, and she was sure they could dig up more dirt on Kalista than her assistant ever could.“Sam Marino—the father—disappeared years ago after his wife’s death. He left everything to his eldest son, Xander. Xander has been running the family business since he was eighteen, while also raising his younger siblings. Kalista was just a baby back then.”Tedmond’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That explains why he’s so protective of her.”“Exactly. Now, onto the fun part.” Howa
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