Chapter 262
1387words
I went to the Shadow Hush, a secluded and under-bankruptcy bar I found, bought, and remodeled. Just as it’s name, it’s a well-hidden place and a perfect location to unveil secrets without fear of being discovered.
Unbeknownst to them, it’s one of my critical information centers in Wakeland.
However, as I got through the bar's back door near the VIP rooms, I saw Della coming into one of the rooms. Despite her disguise, I only need a single glimpse to recognize her.
After years of trying to find her and looking at every picture and record I have, I’ve memorized every angle of her.
My eyes narrowed in confusion as to why she was there. Worried, I hurried toward my office and slammed down to my seat.
“What happened? You looked tense.”
That’s when I only realized that Henry was on the sofa. Seeing me, he stood up and went beside me, watching what I was doing as I decided not to respond to him.
Opening my computer, I turned on the CCTV footage, a smirk immediately rushing to my face.
They would be fools if they really thought there weren’t any hidden cameras in here.
Though it’s not as many, I had enough surveillance to keep everything together.
After reviewing the footage, I found out that she was here to meet Cathy. I knew they would meet each other, but it didn’t cross my mind that they would meet her.
I tapped my fingers on the table while I sorted my mind out for a couple of seconds before I sat up properly from my seat and clicked the intercom. “Rylee, Princess Della is here. Take good care of her.”
“But why–”
“Don’t ask questions. Just do it,” I replied firmly.
I heard her deep breath before she agreed.
I watched everything through the available hidden cameras and saw how Rylee helped and guided them outside. However, after a few steps away from the back door, my brows narrowed upon hearing what was happening.
Rylee started questioning Della, and her casual, prying tone grated on my nerves. Though the questions she posed appeared harmless on the surface, I found them far too intrusive.
Who was she to ask Della about her relationships?
Seeing the frown that formed on Della’s lips, I became even more agitated. As a result, my fist slammed on the desk, shaking everything on it. Even Henry was jolted.
Della already hated me as much as Kylian. Though she was a bit hostile to me, as Mr. K was, that’s understandable considering the circumstances. I can’t risk it and have her hate Mr. K because of girls like Rylee.
“Rylee isn’t usually like this,” Henry remarked in confusion while crossing his arms. “She’s loyal, but this... This feels excessive.”
She always followed my instructions and executed them flawlessly. She’s firm and decisive, but she never intervened in personal matters.
“Rylee cannot continue this behavior,” I curtly said, sending Henry a glare as I voiced my annoyance. “If she does, she’ll face serious consequences.”
Henry nodded, though he still looked hesitant.
After seconds of being cautious, he finally heaved a sigh and lightly pleaded, “I’m sure Rylee didn’t mean anything harmful. You know her… s-she… she likes you. It’s just probably hard for her to separate her feelings sometimes.”
Hearing that made my blood boil even more.
Frustrated, I slammed my hands on the table as I stood up and faced him with annoyance.
“Anyone who interferes with my pursuit of Della… No matter what their intentions are, they will face the consequences. Do I make myself clear?” I asked as I shot him a deadly glare that caused a lump in his throat.
He swallowed with difficulty and slowly nodded his head. After blinking several times and returning to his senses, he hurriedly grabbed his phone and dialed a number.
Hesitantly, he showed me his phone that showed Rylee’s number.
Seeing his questioning eyes that’s asking for approval, I nodded my head but uttered, “Turn it to a speaker.”
“Hello–”
Before she could even finish her words, Henry spoke, “What are you asking Princess Della those ridiculous questions? What are you even thinking? Everything you have now is because of Mr. K. Do not forget that. And don’t forget that he can take it away just as easily.”
She went silent for a while, and I saw her demeanor changing through the monitor.
“Do you understand?” Henry pushed through.
“Yes…”
“Just escort them safely. That’s your sole purpose in meeting them,” he said sharply.
“Yes, I’ve escorted them out safely–”
Henry looked at me as if to see if I was already satisfied, but I wasn’t, so I coldly looked at him, and he seemed to understand what I meant. “Did you do anything that will–”
“No, of course not, I wouldn’t dare… Please, I only wanted to ensure everything was handled smoothly...” she explained more profoundly before he could even finish his words, and the tremble in her voice could be vividly heard.
After a few seconds, I heard rustling and heavy breaths, so I assumed she was already walking back to the bar. She was no longer on the monitor, either.
Sure enough, after a while, I heard the loud music and bustling murmurs in the background.
“Handle it,” I warned Henry, and he immediately nodded his head.
I sat down but signaled for him to keep talking on the phone beside me.
Cautiously looking at me, Henry sighed and spoke in a calmer tone. “Rylee,” he said quietly, “Mr. K knows how you feel about him.”
A sharp intake of breath echoed from the other end. I leaned on my chair, crossed my legs, and tapped my fingers on the armrest as I turned my swivel seat to face Herny and watched their conversation.
“If you continue to hold onto these... unrealistic ideas,” Henry continued, “Mr. K will compensate you with an appropriate amount to live on your own. But you’ll have to leave Wakeland—and Deadtails—for good.”
The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by Rylee’s trembling voice. “Is it... Is it still not okay if it’s just one-sided love?”
Henry looked at me, and I narrowed my eyes as my demeanor dimmed.
“No,” Henry replied firmly.
There was a muffled sob from the other end, and Rylee’s voice cracked as she responded, “I don’t want to leave Deadtails. I’ll do whatever Mr. K wants. I promise.”
After that, Henry ended the call, exhaling deeply as he set the phone down.
“Do you think I was too harsh?” he asked, looking over at me.
I stared at him for a while but didn’t answer. Then I shifted my eyes back to the monitors, lost in my own thoughts.
However, Henry kept on getting inside of it.
“You know Rylee’s story,” Henry cautiously pressed. “She was sold to the black market by her own family and was forced to be a prostitute. When one of her clients tried to assault her, it was you who saved her. You bought her freedom and gave her a place in Deadtails. Of course, she’d feel differently about you.”
I took a sharp breath and clasped my hands into a fist.
“It’s only natural for her to develop some feelings for you.” Despite my reaction, Henry still boldly continued.
He leaned in and added, “But asking her to abandon those feelings entirely? That’s not easy, Kylian. You can’t control love as you please. You, of all people, know that.”
He pressed on, which ticked my patience even more.
He’s right, I know, but I won’t take any risk. I’d rather be a devil than risk causing another stir in my relationship with Della that I’ve been trying so hard to mend for the past years.
Standing up, I looked him straight into his eyes and firmly replied, “I will not allow any risk to exist between me and Della. Not from Rylee. Not from anyone.”
I walked past him with the notion that it was the end of the topic, but I guess he wasn’t done yet.
“What about Flora?”
Tension filled the air as I instantly halted on my steps and froze.
That name immediately struck a nerve in me, and my fingers clenched into fists until my knuckles turned white.
