Chapter 126
That afternoon, after wrapping up meetings and clearing his desk at Sherwood Group, Kingsley drove straight to Cosmoscope Group.
He had been in his office there for only a few minutes when a knock came at the door.
“Enter.” One word, crisp and authoritative.
The door opened, and Thurston and Ethan walked in, fresh from their golf game. Seeing the files piled halfway up the desk, Ethan spoke first, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. “Kingsley, brought you Starbucks. Take a break, drink something p>
He placed the coffee on the corner of the desk. Thurston scanned the pile of work and chimed in, “If I weren’t afraid of leaking company secrets, I’d jump in and help you with some of that p>
Kingsley looked up, his cold gaze sweeping over the two relaxed men. “Nothing better to do p>
“Apparently not,” Thurston laughed, switching gears. “A busy man like you really isn’t suited for business trips p>
“Exactly,” Ethan, taking a sip of his coffee. “If your wife ran off, you probably wouldn’t even have time to go after her. Oh, right—you’re single. Pretend I didn’t just say that p>
Thurston kicked Ethan under the table, his eyes screaming “shut up p>
Ethan met his gaze and gave an awkward laugh. “Strike that. Withdrawn p>
Kingsley leaned back, stretching slightly, looking at them with lazy indifference. “Too late p>
Ethan’s expression faltered, replaced quickly by a fawning smile. “I was just worried you were tired.” He pushed the coffee closer to Kingsley. “This one was bought specifically for you. Thurston didn’t get one. He can’t compare to you p>
Kingsley took the coffee but didn’t drink it, setting it aside. “Don’t want it. Take it away p>
“Tsk, tsk. Can’t you be a bit more grateful? The flattery failed miserably,” Thurston teased mercilessly.
Ethan glared at him. “Get lost p>
Kingsley glanced at both of them, his voice flat. “Both of you. Get lost p>
The office finally returned to silence. It wasn’t until late into the night that Kingsley packed up and left Cosmoscope Group.
Switzerland, deep into the night.
Lucy was sitting on the rug looking at a picture book with Seven when her phone vibrated. She picked it up. A message from back home: [Miss nwood your stepsister Aria has found someone for a political marriage. The Lynwood Group seems to have a chance to turn things around p>
Lucy typed a reply with indifferent fingers: [Fine. No need to keep watching p>
She put the phone down and looked
at the toddler beside her. Seven was poking the picture book with a chubby finger, babbling in a mix of German and English. Lucy leaned down and kissed his soft forehead, pointing to a round pig in the boo “Seven, what is this p>
The little boy blinked his large eyes and lisped softly, “Pig p>
After Seven fell asleep, Lucy quietly went to the study, grabbed her laptop, and returned to the bedroom. Screen glowing, she opened an email detailing the hidden truth behind Aria’s marriage-Ariachad been scammed while trying secure a contract, leaving the debt-ridden Lynwood Group in dire straits. Irma, desperate, had accepted an engagement offer from a wealthy family, forcing Aria into it even though the groom was rumored to be a poor match,
possibly disabled or socially ostracized.
Lucy read it, a faint, cold smile touching her lips, and closed the window. She thought no more of the Lynwood family, opening her design software to focus on the lines of her latest blueprint.
The next morning, Kingsley had just exited the conference room at Cosmoscope Group when Shane approached, handing him a tablet.