73
Shadow furrowed her brow and stared at him, her gaze filled with suspicion. “Haven’t you gone out?”
Alpha Kilian was taken aback by how quickly Shadow had finished cooking. He realized he was almost caught in his act.
He responded calmly, “Even if I did go out, can’t I come back?”
Shadow was preoccupied with the news she had seen online and was in no mood to argue with “Alpha Dominic.” Focusing her attention on him, she spoke with seriousness and authority. “Step outside. I need to talk to you.”
Her tone was cold and imposing, but as her big, bright eyes locked onto Alpha Kilian, he couldn’t help but feel a certain charm radiating from her.
Sticking his hands in his pockets, he followed her.
The last place he expected to be led to was the restaurant.
Shadow guided him to the restaurant, her voice soft but cold. “Alpha Dominic, it’s because of you that I’ve become a target of public criticism. Are you satisfied?”
She couldn’t understand what was going through his mind.
If he really had any interest in her, he would have made his move when Jessica plotted against her and she had been drugged at the Sky Light Club. But he hadn’t done anything to her.
Instead, he continued to harass her.
Having encountered many hedonistic young masters in the past, who often mistreated women, Shadow knew they wouldn’t waste so much time and energy on one woman. At most, they would tease her for a while before moving on.
Because Alpha Dominic hadn’t made any advances, Shadow believed he had no ill intentions towards her.
But he still continued to harass her, causing her great distress.
“Me too. I’ve been scolded terribly, haven’t I?” Alpha Kilian tilted his head innocently, a hint of shamelessness in his eyes.
Shadow looked at him, her gaze icy. “Do you think I haven’t read those comments? How come they scold you? They were all praising your body proportions. You must look really good without clothes!”
She couldn’t understand why the netizens were so biased. Why were only she and Alpha Dominic being scolded? Why was she being criticized while he received praise?
Alpha Kilian’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression peculiar. With a generous tone, he replied, “Can you ladies see that? But if you want to see, I can always take my clothes off and show you.”
“I don’t care. Stop changing the subject!” Shadow felt frustrated with how easily Alpha Dominic could redirect the conversation.
But Alpha Dominic seemed to not hear her. He walked out of the restaurant and lazily spoke, “I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed.”
Shadow felt disheartened.
Letting out a long sigh, she felt irritated. She pulled out her phone and sent a text message to Alpha Kilian. “I’ve put the food in your study room.”
After a few seconds, she received a reply. “Alright.”
With a heavy heart and little appetite, Shadow glanced at the time and assumed Alpha Kilian had finished eating, so she headed upstairs.
Knocking on his door, she entered. Alpha Kilian still had his back to her, just like before.
The tray of food on the desk was emptied. He had eaten everything.
It seemed like the meal she had cooked suited him well.
Shadow asked, with a hint of joy, “Would you like some fruit? Or something else to drink?”
“No need,” Alpha Kilian’s hoarse voice remained unchanged, devoid of any youthfulness.
Shadow stood there, uncertain of what to do or say. Nervousness washed over her.
Suddenly, Alpha Kilian spoke up. “You are Young Madame Lances. Fulfill your duties as a guardian, or else…”
His words held a personal undertone, causing his already hoarse voice to sound eerie. Especially since he intentionally left his sentence unfinished, it sent shivers down one’s spine.
Unable to control herself, Shadow wrapped her arms around her chest. She bit her lip and explained, “I swear, Alpha Dominic and I haven’t done anything.”
She believed that Alpha Kilian must have seen the news and made these assumptions.
“It has nothing to do with Alpha Dominic. I trust him completely.” Alpha Kilian’s voice had noticeably deepened.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Did he mean that she was involved with someone else?
Alpha Kilian was obviously protecting someone! She knew it would come to this!
Alpha Kilian cared deeply for Alpha Dominic, so it was natural for him not to believe that his beloved cousin would do anything wrong with his wife. Thus, he redirected the blame onto her.
Shadow asked, “And what about me? Don’t you believe me?”
Alpha Kilian fell silent for a moment before saying, “Even your appearance is deceptive. Why should I believe you?”
Shadow had no counterargument.
If she were a bit more headstrong and arrogant, she could easily ignore the consequences and retort, “If you dare to hide your true face, why can’t I disguise myself when I see you?”
But Alpha Kilian was different from the Lances family. From the start, he had been clear and direct with her. She couldn’t touch on his sore spots.
“If you have nothing else, leave. From now on, I’ll have Frank accompany you to work.” After Alpha Kilian finished speaking, he remained silent.
Shadow suddenly looked up at him, her emotions complex.
Why did she feel like Alpha Kilian was both slapping and rewarding her?
The tactic he used was quite similar to Alpha Dominic’s.
Alpha Dominic had always treated her well.
Perhaps, because they had spent so much time together, their personalities were similar.
After Shadow left, Alpha Kilian turned around and rubbed his temples.
He felt trapped in a web.
Shadow seemed to dislike Alpha Dominic more and more each day. She grew to despise him while developing a better impression of Alpha Kilian. When she discovered his true identity, she wouldn’t find it difficult to accept.
…
The internet had quieted down, the news suppressed.
Though it was occasionally brought up, it didn’t cause much trouble anymore.
Online, things had calmed down, but in reality, it wasn’t so easy to pacify.
Shadow’s marketing department had many female employees who would gather to gossip every day. Naturally, they would discuss Shadow.
The next day.
When Shadow arrived at work, the employees of the Eden Group looked at her in surprise.
As she walked further away, she overheard whispers behind her.
“I didn’t expect her to come to work today!”
“How tolerant is Young Master Lances? He doesn’t even care if his wife and cousin are together?”
“Don’t say that. What if they haven’t done anything?”
“You’re right. How could the Lances family tolerate such a thing? If it were true, Shadow would be in big trouble!”
“Tsk, you all are so foolish. This sort of thing always has a reason behind it!”
…
Actually, those rumors were nothing more than speculation.