Chloe had only called the reporters to make a little noise, but somehow everything had gone terribly wrong. She was behind the attack, but she had nothing to do with that attacker.
Just her luck, they'd caught the attacker, and the reporters had already fled before the police arrived.
Edris, Nora, and the rest of the staff expressed their sincere gratitude to Rowan and Kane for their swift actions.
"Are you sure you can drive?" Kane asked.
"Yes, Mr. Prince. Thank you for your kind offer," Lyra replied, her voice warm with gratitude. She was now steadier, far less nervous than before.
"I'm only following orders," he said with a grin, hinting that the offer was from Rowan.
She turned to the car where Rowan lounged inside, one leg out and the door wide open. Lyra gave a small bow in gratitude.
"Once again, thank you, sir. I don't know how I can ever repay you," she said, reached into her bag and drew out a card.
"If you ever want to… contact me, I'll gladly take you—dinner, lunch… anything," she said softly, extending the card toward him with both hands.
He reached out, taking the card and tucking it carefully into his pocket.
"I'll hold you to that," he said, his voice low.
Rowan's gaze flickered to her face as her golden locks danced in the wind, teasingly brushing against her cheeks and grazing her shoulders.
For a moment, he found himself quietly mesmerised, unable to look away, until Kane's voice pulled him back to reality.
"Are you ready to go, Boss? Miss Yvette's been calling non-stop… and texting too. She asked if tonight is at your place or hers."
Rowan blinked, caught off guard. Kane could've waited until they were alone. But before he could answer, Lyra spoke first.
"Then you shouldn't keep her waiting," she said, unbothered. She needed to go too.
They bade each other goodbye, and the car rolled forward, slowly disappearing from her sight.
She turned around swiftly, only to catch sight of Edris smoking at the far end of the building.
Edris noticed her taking a step in his direction. He exhaled, the last curl of smoke drifting from his lips, then he flicked the half-burnt cigarette aside and crushed it beneath his shoe.
He ran a hand through his tousled platinum hair, loose strands falling carelessly across his forehead.
He looked calm, but Lyra could see the strain beneath it—the faint crease between his brows. Something was bothering him.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
"Edris," Lyra called softly.
She forced a smile, though her eyes betrayed her.
The wedding that was meant to take place tomorrow had ended before it had even begun.
If only he could lend her his shoulder, or if she could ask him to fill the space someone else had left empty. He would have done it without hesitation.
"Come on," he said quietly, turning away. "I'll take you home."
"Where's Nora?" Lyra asked, her eyes scanning the hospital entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
"She left," Edris answered shortly.
"Ha?" Lyra was shocked. "Nora had left? What about our plan, Nora?" she asked as if Nora still there.
"She's on her way to Hale Estate; she must have reached there by now," Edris explained, his head tilting slightly as she was shorter than him.
"You should have told me earlier," Lyra said, pinching Edris's arm. Though it didn't hurt, Edris made a face as if it did.
Lyra remembered something and asked, "How did Nora get there?"
"Your car," Edris replied. Then Lyra noticed that the parking spot for her car was empty.
"I'll drive you. Don't refuse—I won't let you take a cab, okay?" Edris said firmly, and Lyra had no choice but to relent.
Throughout the journey, Lyra fell asleep. Perhaps from sheer exhaustion. Edris drove slowly, careful not to disturb her.
The trip to Hale Estate took thirty minutes, giving him plenty of time to steal glances at her peaceful face.
Now that Lyra had broken off her engagement, Edris felt a slight sense of relief. He believed this was his chance to capture her heart. Slowly, she would become his and he would not let Lucas come back to her.
…
The luxurious black car glided steadily toward the city center, heading for the Pierce family's towering office building.
Rowan fiddled with the item in his hand—a platinum necklace adorned with a blue Paraiba stone, matching the owner's eyes.
He had meant to return it when he came to the hospital earlier, but things hadn't gone as planned. By the time he remembered, it was too late. The necklace was still in his hand.
"Terminate Yvette Windsor's contract. Compensate her as she demands." Kane simply nodded.
"Yes, Boss," he said, ready to act on the order. Yvette had gone too far.
She kept bothering his boss as if she were his real lover. It just a contract arranged to keep the media and his parents from gossiping—or believing—that he was involved in an illicit relationship.
The mere thought of it was enough to make Kane's skin crawl.
Perhaps tonight Yvette had finally crossed the line, misjudging Rowan's patience, and he decided it was time to terminate the contract entirely.