Chapter 74
“Don’t get so worked up. I just want to strengthen our relationship, Auntie
Evelyn’s weak voice carried an undercurrent of chilling malice. “After all, I’ll eventually join the Kelce family, calling you Mother Isn’t that right… Mother?]
She used the sweetest tone possible []
Amanda felt ice spreading through her veins.[]
She had the terrible premonition that she’d been latched onto by an evil spirit–one that would wreak havoc on her son and the entire Kelce family []
She never should have welcomed this demon!]
She regretted it deeply []
But I was too late now.[]
Five days later []
Adeline’s leg had almost completely healed.[]
These days had been suspiciously quiet.[]
Tristan hadn’t come to bother her.[]
Of course, with the viral posts, he was likely overwhelmed dealing with the publicly humiliated Evelyn and the Grantham family, who were surely hounding him.[]
She had mentally prepared for trouble from them. After her call with Summer that day, she worried that since the Granthams couldn’t reach her in Zarek’s building, they might go after her parents instead.[]
The more she thought about it, the more concerned she became. Not taking any chances, she called her father that night and suggested he take her mother to visit her grandmother for a few days.]
Ostensibly to check on the elderly woman, but actually to keep them safely out of the way.[]
Father and daughter didn’t say much on the call.]
Summer had already explained the situation to them. Questions, worries, and concerns were all temporarily suspended in silence.]
Robert simply told her to take good care of herself.[]
Despite her thorough preparations, nothing happened–no disturbances at the complex, no one showing up at her parents‘ home, not even a harassing phone call.]
Yet the social media uproar hadn’t died down at all.]]
Were they planning something big?]
Or perhaps… were they still intimidated by Zarek?]
Was his standing up for her once at the charity gala enough to create such a lasting deterrent?
Speaking of Zarek, since she’d moved in temporarily, he hadn’t appeared at all. Even Liam stayed in the staff quarters, only emerging in the kitchen or dining room at mealtimes.[]
They were clearly avoiding any appearance of impropriety.]]
Sometimes, this man was truly a thoughtful gentleman
Early evening
Adeline found Liam in the kitchen preparing dinner []
She went in to help, casually chatting with him.[]
“Ham, where has Mr Weasley been staying these past few days?]]
“The boss is homeless, Liam chuckled. This place is just his temporary residence, convenient because it’s close to the office. Suce he gave up the apartment for you, he’s gone home to stay with his parents, who’ve been wanting to see
him anyway
Adeline nodded in understanding[]
“Home” naturally means the Weasley family residence]
Liang seened In Teitender something interesting and leaned in conspiratorially. “Actually, there’s an important reason his parents wanted bun home 1)
Adeline played along “What important reason?“[]
“Blind dates”
Zales Weasley needs hiual dates?)
“As the side but has marriage is a top priority for the entire family They tied the sue when he was home for the holidays last year he even agreed to meet several young ladies from prominent familles, but nothing came of it. Tie was jardly working in Logan Then au be left offer the holidays and his mother couldn’t do about it Now that br’s back in New York, there’s no escape: “1
becerle can avoid beng pressured about marriedy
Adrite loud thus padly fascinating[]
Jd always get that sulit matters like und dates atdaring put were eat sur le Zare, whed to eat on a diffescan plaze–systermus, aloof, alineat otherworldly
La good “The yg materiji saturally seserved especially wittee |
What Can Wait with schus to charly had a sunca ustury)
My likely they hand bone in re dun for the postal serally deeds, while dry stops y tare still cared, but engaged braking his ng ka
Chapter 74
watching her suffer…]
Adeline kept these speculations to herself, offering a safe response: “Don’t worry. Fate has a way of working these things out. The next society daughter he meets might just capture his heart“]
7ll take that as a good omen.“]
The moment she finished speaking a cool, resonant voice came from the doorway []
Adeline startled and turned to see Zarek standing there.[]
Oh God, how long had he been there?]]
When did he arrive?|[]
How much had he heard?]
Liam also couldn’t meet his employer’s eyes. The usually discreet man had been caught gossiping the one time he indulged in it.]
Both felt extremely awkward being caught discussing their boss behind his back []
Zarek gave them a cool look. “Don’t bother cooking. Just grab a chair and sonte popcorn, and go chat at the building entrance.
Adeline:
Liam:
He certainly knew how to use sarcasm.]
Zarek looked away and left the kitchen doorway.
Adeline thought for a moment, then followed him all the way to his study.
He went inside, emerged a few minutes later with some items in hand.[]
He headed straight for the exit, clearly not intending to stay.]
As he was about to reach the door, Adeline spoke up, initially planning to apologize, but in her haste, she blurted out: “Oh–by the way, dinner’s almost ready. Are you staying to eat?
Zarek half–turned his beautiful eyes crinkling with a sardonic smile as he met her gaze. I’ll pass. Busy with blind dates. Who knows, I might find that destined soulmate you mentioned.
Adeline was speechless: “…”
Zarek left without looking back.[]
Adeline deflated.]
Did he have to be so petty? She mentally reviewed everything she’d said, which had all been perfectly normal, just well–wishes.
Liam emerged from the kitchen. “Don’t worry about it. The boss isn’t really that thin–skinned. He’ll forget all about it in a day or two. Come and eat.
Adeline wasn’t nearly as optimistic.]
But what could she do?[]
She was discovering that offending him was as easy as breathing… one careless moment and she’d done it again.]
Adeline had little appetite for dinner.[]
Halfway through the meal her phone rang To her surprise, it was Howard Kelce, Tristan’s father.[]
She could easily hang up on Amanda.[
She could block Tristan without hesitation]
But Howard.[]
Perhaps because his attitude toward her had always been reasonably kind and appropriately paternal, plus his position as the Chairman of Harmonex, she still maintained a certain respect for hum.[]
After considering for a few seconds, she put down her chopsticks and answered. “Hello, Chairman“]
She had always addressed him this way, both in public and at the Kelce home–respectful but distant []
They d never welcomed her calling them “Mom” and “Dad,” and she wouldn’t demean herself by trying[]
“Adeline you and Tristan need to sit down and have a calm, rational conversation Avoiding him wou solve anything Come home tomorrow evening.” Howard’s voice was gentle but carried an unmistakable tone of authority that brooked 16: argumem (
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.