Chapter 40 Unite by marriage

Chapter 40 Unite by marriage
Erin's POV:

I stood at the entrance of the shooting range. The cold air mixed with gunpowder smoke, making my throat tighten.

Kingsley's silhouette gripping the gun was taut like a drawn bow. Each gunshot hammered against my heart.

He definitely saw me. That glance back earlier, his icy stare could pierce right through someone.

But he didn't stop. Instead, he pulled the trigger even faster.

Bullets drilled precisely into the bullseye. The scattered paper fragments floated and fell under the lights like broken emotions.

My chest felt heavy. What exactly was he angry about?

I had already told the butler I was having dinner with someone tonight. He chose to wait on his own.

After what felt like forever, the wall clock chimed ten times. Kingsley finally put down the gun.

He yanked off his ear protection and threw it on the counter. The metallic clatter was particularly harsh.

I quickly stood up, about to speak, when I saw him grab a towel to wipe his hands. His knuckles were white from gripping too hard.

"I didn't expect you to wait for me for dinner."

I softened my voice, though I wasn't sure why I felt guilty.

"When you helped me pick the dress this morning, I thought you knew I had plans tonight..."

Before I could finish, a loud "smack" interrupted me.

He had thrown the towel violently to the ground.

Kingsley turned around, fury almost spilling from his eyes. The veins at his temples throbbed visibly.

"I knew you had plans?"

His voice was ice cold, each word bitten out with force.

"I knew you were going to wear the dress I picked to have a date with your ex-fiancé?"

The words "ex-fiancé" stabbed into my heart like a thorn. I jerked my head up to argue back.

"When did I ever hide anything from you? When picking the dress, I said I was treating someone who helped me pass the assessment to dinner. You didn't ask for details!"

I felt so wronged.

"I didn't know you would care about this..."

"Care?"

He acted like he'd heard the biggest joke, letting out a cold laugh. The mockery in his eyes made me freeze.

"Erin, you planned to treat Kai to dinner from the beginning, didn't you? From when you booked the window seat at Étoile sur la Seine, from when you had Harrison mention the 'amazing uncle' to me!"

"Yes! I was going to treat him to dinner! He helped me, so treating him to a meal isn't unreasonable, is it?"

Kingsley actually laughed out loud at this.

The look he gave me was full of disappointment.

He turned and walked toward the door.

Confused, I instinctively reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"What exactly do you mean? Why are you throwing a tantrum at me?"

He stopped and turned his head to look at me, his disgust unconcealed.

"Throwing a tantrum? Ha!" He let out a cold laugh and spat out three words. "Stupid woman."

Those three words slapped across my face like a hand, stinging painfully.

All my accumulated grievances exploded instantly. I let go of his sleeve and stepped back, staring at him.

"Kingsley, you're really strange! I didn't ask you to wait, didn't lie to you. What gives you the right to insult me?"

His expression darkened further. His lips moved as if he wanted to say something more.

But in the end, he just snorted coldly and stormed out.

The heavy wooden door closed with a dull thud, trapping me inside with the lingering smell of gunpowder.

I clenched my fists, anger and grievance consuming me.

Fine, he wins. I'm never talking to him again!

Kai's POV:

I drove through the night, gripping the steering wheel until it creaked.

Erin's face kept appearing in my mind, irritating me so much I honked the horn.

What a waste of time!

I had wanted to use dinner to get Erin to connect me with the Baker family, but this woman was completely useless.

Though that Rolls-Royce Phantom at the restaurant entrance caught my attention. The black body gleamed coldly under the lights, clearly worth a fortune.

No doubt it belonged to that equestrian club owner.

I let out a cold laugh, tapping my fingers lightly on the steering wheel.

Erin and I had known each other for years. If Gloria hadn't pulled that stunt back then, I would have slept with her long ago!

Now some unknown wild man got the benefit, making her stoop to being a mistress.

But since she could be someone else's mistress, what would it matter if I slept with her?

She was already a dirty woman anyway.

As soon as I parked at the villa entrance, I saw Gloria standing under the lights.

She wore a silk robe, her hair messily pinned up, obvious anger on her face.

The moment I opened the car door, she walked over quickly, her perfume mixed with fury hitting me.

"Where did you go?"

Gloria's voice was sharp, her eyes scanning my collar like searchlights.

"Don't think I don't know. You went to Étoile sur la Seine for dinner with Erin!"

"It was just dinner. What's the big deal?"

I impatiently loosened my tie and walked straight into the house.

Gloria caught up and blocked my path, her eyes red.

"Kai, do you want to get back together with her? We did that thing together back then..."

"Shut up!"

I cut her off sharply, glaring at her fiercely.

What we did together to frame Erin five years ago was a thorn in my heart that could never be exposed.

Gloria was frightened by my intensity, shrinking back as tears immediately fell.

"I didn't mean to. I'm just scared... scared she'll steal you away."

Seeing her pitiful state, my anger subsided somewhat.

I had chosen Gloria because she was smart and valued by her father, hadn't I?

Marriage alliances were always about value. Erin was already ancient history.

"Don't worry."

I reached out to wipe her tears, my tone softening.

"I have no interest in her. I just wanted her help with something."

Only then did Gloria nod, pursing her lips as she hugged my arm.

"Did it work out then?"

"No, she's completely useless."

I frowned and shook off her hand, walking to the living room.

Gloria followed behind, suddenly lowering her voice.

"If she's useless, we'll try another method. Varedo isn't just the Baker family. We've contacted Talia from the Moore family."

I stopped and turned to look at her.

"Talia? She's willing to help?"

"Of course."

Gloria smiled smugly.

"But she has one condition. She wants Erin to marry her cousin."

She walked to my side, stroking my shoulder.

"You see, a woman like Erin can still solve our problems. That makes her somewhat useful."

I pondered for a moment, a cold smile curving my lips.

Yes, a woman who was already dirty could be traded for the Moore family's support. What a bargain.