Kiara stared blankly at the man before her, only snapping out of her daze when he raised a questioning eyebrow. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she shook her head and stammered, "I… I'm fine. Thank you."
He gave a soft chuckle. "No need for thanks."
His response only deepened the blush on her face.
Seeing the tension, the servant quietly slipped out of the room. Though uncertain about the girl’s relationship with the young master, the servant knew better than to pry—staying in one’s lane was part of the job. Having fulfilled the master’s orders, the servant made a swift exit.
Now alone in the bedroom, Kiara felt an awkward silence settle between them. Her eyes darted nervously, searching for something to say to break the tension.
After what felt like an eternity, the man finally spoke. "What's your address? I'll have someone drive you home." His eyes, deep and starry, seemed to pull her in, making her heart race uncontrollably.
She shook her head again. "No, that's not necessary. I really should thank you for helping me… I don’t know how to repay you. Once I get home and explain things to my family, I’ll come back personally to express my gratitude." As she spoke, a shadow of sadness flickered across her face.
Clearly, she was recalling what had happened earlier.
The memory almost made her laugh bitterly.
She never could have imagined that a simple trip abroad would lead to running into Jane. The encounter had surprised both of them. Kiara had assumed that giving Jane all her savings meant their sisterly ties were severed forever, so she’d pretended not to see her. But Jane, it seemed, had other ideas.
She seemed to be doing poorly. Her eyes were darker and more profound than before, giving anyone who met her gaze the unsettling feeling of being watched by a venomous snake. It was downright chilling.
Yet, her clothing told a different story.
Although Kiara had grown up in an orphanage, her two years with the White family had taught her a thing or two about luxury brands. The clothes Jane wore were unmistakably expensive. But that had nothing to do with Kiara, who had been ready to walk away immediately. Jane, however, wouldn’t let her leave. Instead, she hurled a barrage of sarcastic and venomous remarks at her.
Kiara endured it all in silence.
But when Jane’s words targeted Ariana, Kiara could take no more. She fired back a sharp retort and left.
At the time, Kiara had assumed that would be her last encounter with Jane. Yet, after returning home, Jane somehow got hold of her phone number and began harassing her. When the harassment finally stopped, Jane switched to a softer approach, claiming that they were, after all, sisters. Kiara saw right through her motives and continued to ignore her.
That, it seemed, was what finally provoked Jane.
When Jane proposed one last meeting, Kiara was reluctant to go. But Jane pleaded so earnestly, insisting it would be the final time, that Kiara eventually agreed. She never expected things to end the way they did—nearly being abducted by Jane. And it was in that moment of crisis that she ran into him…
Speaking of him, Kiara wasn’t quite sure how to describe their connection. It wasn’t their first meeting. Their paths had initially crossed during a trip abroad, in what seemed like a minor, almost trivial incident.


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