Chapter 187: The Guardian Knight

Chapter 187: The Guardian Knight

Griffin's POV

I frowned at my phone. Why wasn't Aviah answering after more than ten calls?

What was she doing?

I shook my head and called Felix. "Have we opened up the sales channels for the diamonds from our partnership with Evermore?"

"We expect to start selling in Lakeview next month, Mr. Ravenscroft. Are you really going to start a new company? Without leveraging Skyline Group, it'll be hard for the new company to grow."

"Can't leverage it. This is a test."

"Mr. Ravenscroft, have you decided who will manage this company?"

I smiled slightly. "Of course it's Chloe. She's capable. Wouldn't it be a waste of her talents to have her as my secretary?"

My purpose in doing this was to transfer her out of the company's internal operations and put her in charge of a new company, keeping her too busy to stop.

It was a test, a probe, a precaution, a concession.

Testing her abilities, probing her character, guarding against her schemes, tolerating her behavior.

Chloe, don't disappoint me.

You grew up with me since childhood—don't make me hate you.

Cameron's POV

"Mason, can you drive?"

"Yes."

"Go to Mistvale District and deliver something for me."

"Okay."

Aviah's POV

As the last lyric fell, I stood at the center of the stage, breathing slightly hard.

Sweat slid down the edge of my mask as the crowd below remained immersed in the frenzy brought by the music.

I raised the microphone, my voice somewhat hoarse but full of power. "I am the incarnation of the sun, your goddess. I want all of you to submit to my voice. I am Skylar!"

"Skylar! Skylar!" Uniform shouts rose from below, the sound waves almost lifting the bar's ceiling.

The lights hit me, the silver mask reflecting dazzling light.

In this moment, I truly seemed to become a goddess, temporarily forgetting all pain and struggle.

I turned to look toward the bar. Scott was holding up a camera filming me.

Across the crowd, I smiled at him and made an OK gesture.

He gave me a thumbs up, his excitement obvious.

Over the next half hour, I sang three more songs.

Each one made the atmosphere even more heated.

Only when my throat started to hurt did I finally come down from the stage.

"That was amazing!" Scott came up to me, still holding the camera. "I've never heard anyone sing with such infectious power. Can this footage be released? I can pay you."

I took the water he handed me and drank before saying, "Of course." The water slid down my throat, relieving the dryness. "But there's one condition—the mask stays on, and use the name Skylar."

Scott nodded repeatedly. "No problem! With your voice and performance, you'll definitely go viral. Want to sign a long-term contract?"

I shook my head. "Let's leave it like this for now. I need time to think about it."

I was still planning to perform at several other bars too, to quickly build up my reputation and get this name out there as soon as possible.

It was already late at night when I left the bar.

Lakeview's streets were flashing with neon lights. I walked toward the parking lot, my high heels making crisp sounds in the quiet night.

Just as I was about to open the car door, three dark figures rushed out from the corner.

Three tall men, reeking heavily of alcohol.

"Miss, all alone this late?" The leader blocked my way, his gaze roaming over me with ill intent.

I instinctively stepped back, reaching into my bag for my phone. "Please move aside. I need to go home."

"Don't rush off." Another man came closer, reaching to touch my mask. "Let us see what treasure you're hiding under that mask."

I slapped his hand away hard, but at the same time, my mask was pulled off, revealing my face. My phone slipped from my trembling hands and fell to the ground, the screen shattering instantly.

Damn it, my last means of calling for help was gone too.

"Don't touch me!" My voice carried fear.

Damn that bastard Griffin. Usually he's always pestering me with messages, right?

Why isn't he looking for me today?

He doesn't care about me at all. He's dead meat.

What do I do now?

Griffin, hurry up and appear! Didn't you always show up to save me at critical moments before?

Why is there still no sign of you this time?

I don't want to be caught by them.

I wanted to run, but someone was already blocking me from behind. I was far from my car too. It would be impossible to break through their encirclement.

"Miss, don't worry, we won't do anything to you."

As he spoke, the lead man reached for me.

Just then, a figure suddenly rushed over.

"Let her go!" Mason—or rather, Kevin after losing his memory—pushed away the man closest to me.

He shielded me behind him, his posture exactly like the Kevin who always silently protected me from behind.

Except this time, he had moved from backstage to the front.

"You're asking for it!" The three men immediately surrounded him.

Though Mason was strong and sturdy, the other side had numbers. Soon he was at a disadvantage, taking a punch to the face.

But even so, he didn't back down.

While they were fighting, I quickly pulled open the car door and got into the driver's seat.

The roar of the engine caught their attention. Without hesitation, I pressed the gas pedal, the car charging straight at them.

As if I was going to run them over.

"Crazy woman!" The three thugs scrambled to dodge. I took the opportunity to stop the car next to Mason. "Mason, get in!"

He agilely opened the back door and got in. I immediately pressed the gas and drove away from the parking lot. Through the rearview mirror, I could still see the furious figures of those men.

One of them picked up my phone that had fallen on the ground and turned to leave.

Only when I could no longer see them in the rearview mirror did I breathe a sigh of relief.

If the phone was gone, it was gone. As long as the person was okay.

That was too close.

"Are you okay?" I asked while driving, my voice still trembling a bit.

Mason wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head. "Just surface wounds. What about you—are you hurt?"

"No." I let out a long breath. "Thank you for saving my life again."

"Again?" He looked at me puzzled. "Have I saved you like this before?"

I smiled, speaking meaningfully. "Still as reliable as ever."

"How did you end up here? And why did you save me?"

Mason shrugged. "You helped me, so naturally I have to repay you. But I don't know what came over me then—my head got hot and I just went for it. It was like my body reacted before I could think."

I was about to speak when Mason spoke again.

"Stop up ahead. I need to go back."

I instinctively hit the brakes, bumping him again. "What? You want to go back for revenge?"

I didn't expect him to go that far.

Mason smiled. "No, I drove here. Cameron asked me to deliver something. I was passing by and happened to see you surrounded by them, so I rushed over. I didn't expect it to be you either. What a relief."

"It's not far from here. I'll walk back. They should have left by now, don't worry."

I thought about it. "Come on, I'll drive you there. It's fine, I won't get out of the car. If they dare come, I'll just drive away."

I made a U-turn, glancing at him from the corner of my eye, my mind becoming active.

Could this be fate's guidance?

He had silently protected me from behind since childhood. Now that I'd just found him, he had protected me again.

How wonderful.

Mason got in his car and left. I watched him drive out of sight before turning around to leave.

Looking at myself in the rearview mirror, I thought the name Skylar would soon resound throughout all of Lakeview.

I had to find out the truth about Alexander's death all those years ago!