The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 388

Chapter 388

“The situation is… complicated.” I chose my words carefully.

“Complicated?” He stopped pacing, his gaze boring into me. “Or calculated? A car accident. A pregnancy. A proposal. These coincidences strung together create a very convenient narrative.”

The insinuation stung, but I couldn’t let him see it affect me. I took a deep breath and made a choice–not to fight, but to appear to yield.

“You’re right.” I lowered my gaze, my

my voice s

soft but clear. “I’m not worthy of marrying into the Kane family. Im just a vice president of Harper Group, without distinguished lineage or aristocratic breeding.” I looked up at him, allowing a trace of self–deprecation into my expression. “If you believe I’m using Devon, I can’t prove otherwise.”

The admission seemed to catch him off guard. He’d expected defiance, protest, tears–not this quiet acknowledgment of my perceived inadequacies. It took the wind from his prepared arguments.

“At least you have some self–awareness.” His tone softened fractionally, though the steel remained. “Then you understand why a Kane marriage isn’t a game. Devon’s future wife must hold her own in society. She must being strategic alliances. She must raise true Kane heirs

not beconte tabloid fodder.”

–

Each word was a hammer blow, methodically dismantling my worth, my place, my right to be here. But I kept my expression neutral. absorbing the assault without flinching.

“I understand. The words tasted bitter, but I forced them out.

Arthur seemed satisfied with my submission. He turned slightly toward James, who stood silently outside the gazebo entrance. “Proceed as

we discussed.

My heart stopped.

““Proceed as we discussed?” The words echoed in my mind, taking on sinister implications. I thought of my mother’s mysterious death. Of Victoria’s possible involvement. Of the things powerful people did to protect their interests.

“Wait!” I stood abruptly, my voice sharp with fear. “Because I’m pregnant with Devon’s child, you’re going to–you’re going to do something to me?” My hand flew protectively to my abdomen. This is your grandchild! You can’t possibly-

“Can’t what?” Arthur’s brows drew together, his expression shifting from authority to confusion. “What are you talking a

about?”

“You just said “proceed as discussed My volce trembled despite my efforts to control it. “You’re going to hurt me and the baby, aren’t you? Just because I’m not good enough, you’ll eliminate the problem?”

The words spille

spilled out, raw and accusatory. The gazebo fell silent except for the distant call of winter birds.

Arthur’s face flushed crimson. “You’re accusing me?” His voice thundered, the cone striking the floor with explosive force. “You think I’m

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Chapter 388

some common thug? Some street criminal?*

I stood frozen, my body shaking, but the words were already out there. My hands cradled my belly defensively, and tears pricked my eyes

-not from sadness, but from the adrenaline flooding my system.

“I… I don’t know…” My voice came out hoarse. “But my mother died mysteriously too… and powerful people always make it look like an

accident…”

Arthur’s expression underwent a startling transformation–from rage to something more complex. Perhaps shock. Perhaps an unwilling

understanding of the pain behind my accusation.

And then-

“BANG!”

A gunshot cracked through the air.

I flinched violently. Arthur spun toward the main house. James grabbed his radio. “What’s happening?!”

The radio crackled with a panicked voice: “Sir, Mr. Devon Kane–he–he forced his way through the main entrance!”

Before the words fully registered, rapid footsteps echoed on the gazebo steps.

Devon appeared in the entrance.

He wore the same black shirt and slacks from when he’d left me this morning, his coat hanging open, his right hand gripping a silver

semi–automatic handgun. I recognized it from Eden’s underground armory. His hair was disheveled, a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead,

and his gray eyes burned with dangerous intensity.

For a moment, I saw something primal in him–violence barely restrained, a force of nature that would destroy anything in its path.

“Devon!” His name escaped my lips before I could stop it.

James immediately moved toward me, reaching for my arm. “Miss, please stay where-

“Let her go.” Devon’s voice was low and deadly, the gun rising fractionally–not aimed directly at James, but the threat was unmistakable.