Chapter 191
As Lucy and Jules walked into Ben’s estate, the scene fell perfectly into Kingsley’s line of sight from where he stood nearby a cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling into the cold air.
Lucy wore a cream-colored wool coat, her long hair pinned up neatly. Her matching heels clicked against the paved path, every step radiating elegance. Jules wore a coffee-colored coat, one hand in his pocket, the other carrying her laptop bag. His posture was relaxed yet sharp.
Their strides were matched in a rhythm that bordered on intimacy. They spoke in hushed tones as they passed, the atmosphere between them natural and harmonious.
Beside Kingsley, Xavier also witnessed the scene and whispered, “Mr. Holt rejected the family’s arranged marriage. Mrs. Holt suspects he has a girlfriend and is already investigating secretly p>
“Leak some information to her,” Kingsley said, his voice devoid of emotion, though a hidden calculation flickered in his eyes. “Tell her Jules is gay. Keep her attention off Lucy p>
He knew Mrs. Holt’s background too well-a mistress who had clawed her way to the top. Her methods were never gentle.
“Understood p>
Xavier agreed, stealing a glance at Kingsley’s profile.
He quietly let out a breath of relief. *So, Mr. Sherwood isn’t as cold and hard as the rumors say. At least in this moment, he’s acting entirely for Miss Lynwood’s sake p>
Kingsley stood silently until he finished the last drag of his cigarette. He stubbed it out, tossed it into the bin, and walked toward the main house.
Just as he stepped onto the porch, the phone in his pocket vibrated. He pulled it out -Susan Talmadge.
He stopped, swiping to answer. Susan’s angry demand immediately blasted through the speaker: “Kingsley, what is the meaning of this? You insist on cutting off my only hobby p>
“You do plenty of other things,” Kingsley’s voice was as deep and cold as freezing rain. “Mrs. Sherwood, stop being naive. do you think those women drinking tea and playing cards with you are true sisters? You’ve lost so badly recently; haven’t you considered they’re setting you up p>
“Stop speaking nonsense!” Susan’s voice pitched up, sharp with panic and impatience. “We’ve known each other for twenty years. How could they harm me? Kingsley, you just can’t stand seeing me happy p>
“Winston Sherwood blocked Mrs. Vincent’s husband’s promotion path. Do you think she might hold a grudge?” Kingsley pierced the heart of the matter with a single sentence, his tone flat. The silence on the other end was instant.
He frowned and added, “The Sherwood family has never asked you to be a perfect wife, but at the very least, don’t drag Father and my brother down. They have never treated you unfairly p>
“Haven’t I been careful enough p>
Susan’s voice weakened, though she
still held onto her aggrieved anger keep a low profile outside. I don’t even wear expensive jewelry because I’m afraid of causing trouble for them. Now you want to strip away even this small joy… Kingsley, why is your heart so cruel? That’s why you don’t deserve to be loved p>
Kingsley closed his eyes briefly, throwing out a cold reply. “Cruel? Perhaps it’s inherited p>
He hung up and shoved the phone back into his pocket.
He continued into the house, the lines of his profile carved from ice, showing no excess emotion. It was as if the argument had been nothing more than brushing a spec
meaningless snow from thing
shoulder.
Ben spotted Kingsley immediately and welcomed him with a warm hug. “Kingsley! I’m so glad you could make it p>
“I couldn’t say no to you,” Kingsley patted Ben’s back, his tone relaxing slightly.
Just as Ben was about to introduce Lucy and Jules, Kingsley cut him off. “We know each other. No need for intros. You guys discuss the proposal; I’ll just listen. If it fits, I’ll invest p>
“Of course!” Ben smiled knowingly and led everyone to the conference room. Kingsley sat at one end of the table, silent throughout the entire meeting.
However, his gaze rarely left Lucy. She stood before the projection screen explaining the designs, her fingertips tracing lines on the blueprints with utter seriousness. Her voice was steady, her eyes meeting the room with polite. distance that coof detachment was like a thin layer of ice, tightening Kingsley’s throat.
Under the table, Kingsley’s fingers curled slightly, knuckles whitening.
This distance… he was the one who had created it.
He truly had no right to stand before her now. What right did he have to win her back?
He really didn’t deserve to be loved.
As the thought settled, he leaned sideways and whispered to Xavier, his tone holding no hesitation. “Book the earliest flight back p>
When the meeting ended, Kingsley picked up the proposal and blueprints from the table. He said to Ben simply, “I’ll review this when I get back and give you an answer p>
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left with Xavier, forcing himself not to look in Lucy’s direction even once. His retreating back was decisive, as if he were forcing himself to sever all hope.