Chapter 159 Shut up, Girl
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I stare at Hermes from the corner of my eye as the Bentley glides through the city lights. He looks calm. My father said Hermes might already know about the plan—about everything—and yet here he is, sitting beside me as if I didn’t just deliberately shatter his phone minutes ago.
He didn’t even flinch. He just smiled that polite, unreadable smile, bent down, picked up the broken phone, and opened the car door for me like nothing happened.
That should be sincere… right? But I don’t know anymore.
I used to pride myself on understanding Hermes Grande—his moods, his tells, his little silences. I spent years believing no one knew him like I did. But right now? Sitting next to him? I feel like I’m beside a stranger wearing the face of the boy I loved.
I let out a slow, quiet sigh, turning my gaze to the tinted window. The gala tonight was supposed to be perfect. My night. Our night. I had imagined it a thousand times—Hermes on one knee, the applause, the cameras, the Grande legacy restored, and me standing beside him where I always believed I belonged.
But that dream feels like it's slipping from my fingers.
I don’t know exactly what my father is planning, but it isn’t good. He’s involving June—her. The girl who somehow gets reactions from Hermes that I could never pull out of him no matter how hard I tried.
Have they captured her yet? Are they going to kill her?
The thought twists something deep in my stomach. Wouldn’t that make Hermes hate me even more?
I wince internally. The only reason I agreed to help my father in the first place was because he promised me one thing—Hermes. A future with him. A chance to fix everything I ruined years ago.
But everything is spiraling fast.
I turn my head slightly, studying Hermes as he sits there, offering me a small, soft smile. The same smile he used to give me before I ruined us.
Will he ever forgive me after tonight?
If my father is right… if Hermes truly suspects us…
Then forgiveness might not even be an option anymore.
The car rolls to a smooth stop, and before I can steady my breath, the chauffeur is already opening the door. Hermes steps out first, straightening his jacket, and then offers his hand to me. I take it, stepping into a hailstorm of flashing lights and camera shutters.
The photographers—most of them arranged by me—explode into calls.
"Over here!"
"Look this way, Miss Voss!"
"Mr. Grande! One smile!"
Hermes doesn’t hesitate. He places a hand on the small of my back and guides me down the red carpet. He even pauses and turns slightly toward me so the photographers can get their shots.
That one gesture—simple, intentional—melts the anxiety that’s been twisting inside me.
Papa was wrong. Hermes doesn’t suspect anything.
If he did… he wouldn’t be doing this with me.
A reporter wedges himself forward, shouting over the chaos.
"Mr. CEO! What can we expect at tonight’s gala? Are you going to make it official?" He motions subtly toward me.
My breath catches.
This is it. This is the moment.
I look up at Hermes, anticipation curling like a fist in my chest.
He gives a small nod and answers evenly, "There’s going to be a big surprise tonight. And I’m sure none of you would want to miss it."
My eyes glitter.
A surprise.
He must mean the proposal.
He must.
Oh, Hermes… I knew he’d come around.
Bodyguards quickly surround us, pushing the reporters back and guiding us through the entrance. Once we’re inside, Hermes leans down slightly, voice soft.
"Excuse me for a moment. I need to greet someone."
I nod, smiling too widely. That’s fine—perfect even. I need privacy as well. I need to tell Father that he can stop everything now. That Hermes is clueless. That things will go according to plan.
I weave through the crowd, offering quick greetings, fake smiles, empty nods. The moment I spot Father near one of the marble pillars, I exhale with relief and hurry to him.
"Papa," I whisper between clenched teeth, still smiling for anyone watching. "You need to stop what you’re planning. Hermes doesn’t know anything. I just confirmed it."
Father releases a low, irritated growl. "Shut up, girl. And observe first. Where is he?"
I shrink, lowering my gaze. "He went to meet some guests."
Father’s eyes sweep the room sharply. "Lucien is still at the house. So maybe nothing will happen tonight." He taps his cane once on the floor, thinking. "But we must be careful. Very careful."
I nod eagerly, a wave of relief washing over me. Then, quietly, "And the girl? Did you… take her? You shouldn’t do anything yet—"
"Can you be quiet, Natalya?" Father snaps, hitting his cane on the marble hard enough to echo. "I didn’t take her. Now go find Hermes and stay beside him."
I flinch and nod quickly, swallowing hard.