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Soon, Kaia froze when Tobias knelt down and started tying her shoelace. Her ears burned as she
stared at him.
She still couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that this big–shot businessman would actually bend down just to tie her shoe. Her heart picked up speed.
“All set, Tobias said as he straightened up, his gaze soft when it met hers.
The moment their eyes locked, a strange tingle ran through Kaia. She quickly looked away. “Oh… uh, thanks.
Just then. Tobias reached out a hand. “Why are your ears so red?”
The second his fingers brushed her ear, Kaia jumped back. “Don’t touch me,” she said, looking
startled.
He couldn’t help but enjoy how flustered she looked. His eyes dropped to the potato she was holding. “Weren’t you gonna let me try that?”
Relieved by the change of subject, Kaia offered it to him.
But instead of taking it. Tobias lifted her hand and bit the potato right where she had.
“Mmm… Not bad,” he said with a grin.
Kaia stared at the potato with the huge bite mark and frowned. To her surprise, she didn’t feel annoyed. She didn’t even mind that he’d bitten it at the same spot.
“Why’d you stop eating? Hurry up before it gets cold,” Tobias said. “Want me to feed you?”
That snapped her out of her daze. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she muttered, trying to calm the mess of emotions inside her.
As she ate, she kept wondering why she was acting so weird today.
Tobias just stood there, watching her with a smile.
When Kaia got back to her room at the manor, Joel stepped out of the bathroom.
“Why are you hiding in my room again?” she asked, quickly locking the door so Tobias wouldn’t barge in.
“I heard you were in danger,” Joel said, his brows drawn in concern.
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“It wasn’t a big deal–just a little trouble. No need to make it sound like I almost died,” Kaia said.
“It’s not about making it sound worse,” Joel said. “It’s because of who you are. You’re Wustriland’s top scientist. You can’t risk getting hurt. I think you should have a whole army protecting you every time you leave the house.”
Kaia rubbed her forehead. “You make it sound like I’m some kind of national treasure.”
Joel shook his head. “No. You’re more valuable than that.”
Kaia didn’t know how to respond to that and kept silent.
Even if nothing happened this time, we can’t just ignore it. Casey tried to attack you, an elite official. That’s a serious crime,” Joel said, his eyes darkening.
Kaia shook her head. “She’s already been punished. We don’t need to-”
No,” Joel cut her off. “I’ll give in to you on other things, but not when it comes to your safety. Don’t
other arguing. Protecting you is my job.”
Kaia knew there was no point trying to change his mind. “Fine. Do whatever you want.”
The next day, Casey’s family visited her in jail and told her the school she’d applied to had rejected her. Not just that school–no other school would take her either. She nearly lost it.
And Philip’s Snyder Hotel had its five–star rating application denied. Businesses cut ties left and ight, and the Snyder family was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
*****
The Moreno family’s annual dinner party was coming up–a big deal in their circles.
Every year, the women in the family had custom dresses made to make sure they looked their best and grabbed all the attention.
Before the party even started, Cecelia and Bianca made a point to corner Kaia.
“Kaia, since you’re basically Tobias’s fiancée now, don’t embarrass him at the party,” Cecelia said with a smirk. “If you don’t have a decent dress, you can beg me.
“I’ve got plenty of old ones. They’re a little outdated, but still pricey. I’m guessing you’ve never worn anything that nice. What do you say? Want to beg me now?”
Kaia rolled her eyes. “I’ll pass. Honestly, I don’t even like your dresses.”
“Keep acting tough. I can’t wait to see you humiliate yourself at the party,” Cecelia said, starting to walk off with Bianca.
But she soon turned back. “Oh, by the way–you used to brag about your clothes being made by
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Conrad, right? Well, he just put out three new dresses this month, and I already ordered one. At the party, you can watch me look stunning.”
Kaia arched an eyebrow at her. “Judging by that look on your face, I’d say you won’t be getting Conrad’s dress anytime soon.”
Cecelia rolled her eyes and left with Bianca, pretending she didn’t care.
Right then, Kaia’s phone buzzed. Conrad was calling.
What a coincidence–she’d been about to call him.
“Miss Bennett, I just posted pictures of three new dresses on Twitter. Two are already taken. The last one’s my favorite this month, and I’ve been saving it for you. I turned down everyone else who asked for it.” Conrad said.
Kaia opened Twitter and saw the photos. The two claimed ones were nice, but the one Conrad had saved for her was clearly the best.
Cancel all the orders,” she said.
All of them?” Conrad asked, startled.
Yes. And for the customers whose orders you cancel, give them a free custom dress or whatever else it takes to smooth things over,” Kaia said coldly. “But don’t contact a customer named Cecelia
Moreno.”
Understood,” Conrad said without asking why.
He figured Cecelia must have done something bad for Kaia to want her taught a lesson.
Everyone in international circles knew better than to cross Kaia–not just because she was a top–tier
cientist, but because if one got on her bad side, she could make life very unpleasant.
Kaia hung up, not giving it another thought. Cecelia wasn’t worth stressing over.
She was just annoying enough that Kaia decided a little payback wouldn’t hurt.
Kaia headed back to her room, but at the door, she found Tobias waiting with a measuring tape in
hand.
“I’m here to take your measurements for the dress,” he said.
