2025-10-02 23:20:18
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Chapter 160
Keith arrived at the Blackwater anniversary party fashionably late, his mood already sour from Yona's deliberate avoidance earlier.The venue was impressive – a luxury hotel ballroom decorated with elegant lighting and floral arrangements that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent.Well-dressed guests mingled throughout the space, champagne glasses in hand, the buzz of conversation and light jazz music filling the air.But Keith barely noticed any of it. His eyes swept across the room, searching for one person in particular.And then he found her.Yona stood near the far end of the ballroom, wearing an emerald green gown that made her look absolutely radiant. Her blonde hair was styled in soft waves, and even from this distance, Keith could see she was smiling. Laughing, actually, at something the man beside her was saying.Marcus Chen.Keith felt his jaw tighten as he watched them. Marcus was standing too close to Yona, leaning in as he spoke to her, his body language un
Chapter 159 Part 2
"Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" Keith continued, stepping closer. "You didn't tell anyone where you were going, who you were with, when you'd be back—""I told Linda I was going to dinner," Yona interrupted. "And why would you be worried? I'm nobody important. Just your ex-wife's cousin who you're helping out of charity."Keith flinched at that. "That's not fair.""Isn't it?" Yona asked, her voice hardening. "Oh, by the way, the party is tomorrow. The Blackwater anniversary party. I assume you remember you agreed to go.""I don't care about the party right now," Keith said dismissively. "I care about where you've been and whether you're safe—""Well, as you can see, I'm perfectly fine," Yona said, spreading her arms. "No harm done. Marcus was a perfect gentleman, we had a nice dinner, and I came home. Happy?""No, I'm not happy," Keith said, his frustration evident. "You confessed that you had feelings for me just last night, and now you're going out on dates with strang
Chapter 159 Part 1
Yona arrived at the upscale Italian restaurant Marcus had recommended, her stomach churning with a mixture of nerves and resignation.She spotted him immediately – he was sitting at a table near the window, looking perfectly composed in another expensive suit.When Marcus saw her, his face lit up with genuine pleasure. "Yona! You look absolutely stunning.""Thank you," Yona said, sliding into the seat across from him. "You mentioned this place has great Italian food?""The best in the city," Marcus confirmed enthusiastically. "I'm so glad you decided to come. I wasn't sure you would after our first meeting.""Why's that?" Yona asked, studying the menu to avoid his intense gaze."You seemed very cautious," Marcus said with a slight smile. "Like you weren't sure you could trust me.""I didn't know you," Yona pointed out. "I still don't, really.""Well, then let's fix that," Marcus said, leaning forward with interest. "Tell me about yourself, Yona Richardson. What do you do?"As the even
Chapter 158 Part 2
Keith stood up abruptly, pacing across the room with agitation. His mind was racing, and he couldn't quite identify the emotion churning in his chest, but it felt uncomfortably like anger."So she just went out? With some random guy she met today?" Keith demanded."I guess so," Linda replied, setting down her journal completely now. "Why? Is something wrong?""Yes, something's wrong!" Keith said, his voice rising. "She told me last night that she had feelings for me. She confessed that she liked me, that it was too painful to watch me with other women. And now, less than twenty-four hours later, she's going on a date?"Linda's eyebrows rose. "She told you she had feelings for you?""Last night in the kitchen," Keith confirmed, still pacing. "She said she liked me and that's why she wanted to move out. She was practically crying about it.""And what did you say to her?" Linda asked carefully."I didn't get a chance to say anything!" Keith exclaimed. "She just told me to pretend I didn'
Chapter 158 Part 1
Keith stood in Larsson's study, the weight of the patriarch's offer still settling over him like a heavy blanket. The entire Kappel fortune, a place in one of the most powerful families in the country, all in exchange for marrying Cynthia. It was the kind of proposal that would make most men jump at the opportunity without hesitation.But Keith wasn't most men."I'll think about it," Keith said finally, meeting Larsson's expectant gaze.Larsson's expression soured immediately. "Think about it? What's there to think about, Dr. Cross?""Whether or not I can fall in love with Cynthia," Keith replied honestly. "I don't know if that's something that will happen for me.""Love can grow with time," Larsson argued, waving his hand dismissively. "Arranged marriages have worked for centuries—""I'm not interested in an arranged marriage," Keith interrupted. "Cynthia is wonderful – she's fun, beautiful, intelligent, and incredibly brave. But I need to be sure about my feelings before I make any
CHAPTER 157 PART 2
The words hit Yona like a physical blow. Of course Keith was with Cynthia. Beautiful, wealthy, self-sacrificing Cynthia who had literally taken a metal rod for him. Why had Yona even bothered to ask?"Oh," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "Okay."Linda gave her a sympathetic look. "I think he'll be back later tonight. Or maybe tomorrow, depending on how things go.""Right," Yona said, already turning to leave. "Thanks for letting me know."She was halfway up the stairs when her phone began ringing. Yona pulled it out of her pocket and stared at the unknown number on the screen. For a moment, she considered ignoring it. But something made her answer."Hello?""Yona! I'm so glad you picked up," came Marcus's smooth voice. "It's Marcus Chen. We met earlier?""I remember," Yona said flatly."Listen, I know you said you couldn't do lunch, but what about dinner? I know this amazing place downtown. Best Italian food in the city."Yona's first instinct was to refuse. She didn't know thi
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