Zara, after starting the car, glanced at Ethan, who was already seated comfortably. He wasn't just sitting there—he was leaning slightly toward her, those warm, steady eyes fixed on her as if she were the only thing in his world.
Ethan, his voice soft but sure, asked, "Let's go?"
Zara nodded, the faintest curve on her lips, and reversed the car with practiced ease. As she straightened the wheel, she cast him a quick look and said, "We don't know the route."
"Not a problem," Ethan reassured her, his tone casual, as if the thought of being lost didn't bother him in the slightest. "Let's just go as the road goes." The way he said it made it sound like the destination didn't matter—only the journey with her did.
Zara gave another small nod, a flicker of amusement in her eyes, and pressed on the accelerator.
The car rolled forward slowly at first, its hum low and steady. But as the city passed by in a blur, she pushed harder. The engine roared to life, and the car surged ahead, weaving effortlessly through traffic, overtaking one vehicle after another.
Ethan didn't even glance at the road. He sat calmly, one arm resting loosely, but his gaze never left her face. There was a quiet intensity in the way he watched her—like she was a painting he could stare at forever, the outside world a meaningless blur beyond the windshield.
Meanwhile, in another car, Marcus caught sight of her tail lights cutting through the traffic like a streak of fire. His lips curved into a wide grin, and he leaned forward in his seat before shouting over the wind, "Oh my god!! Lia's really on it today!"
With that, he slammed his foot on the accelerator, the engine growling as he matched her speed, determined to keep up.
The two cars became silver and red streaks on the highway, slicing through the city, and soon the traffic thinned as they sped onto the winding hill road. The air grew cooler, the horizon wider, and the road ahead belonged to them.
____________________
Mayledge Mansion, Goldrid City
In the grand inner hall, sunlight poured in through tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor. Kylie sat upright on the ornate sofa, her phone propped in her hand, her expression sharp with irritation.
"You boys! The moment Lia left the city, all of you disappeared back into your work. Do you even care about the people living here?" Her voice was clipped, each word landing like a small whip crack.
"Mom, we really had some work," Alan's voice came through the phone, smooth but carrying a note of guilt. "We'll be back once we're free."
"Yes, Mom," Jack chimed in almost too quickly, his tone calm but his eyes shifting. "I don't know about the others, but I'll come home once I finish everything."
Kylie scoffed, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips. "I'll believe your other three brothers before believing your words. Don't act like you're so filial to us."
The others on the call exchanged knowing smiles, their gazes sliding toward Jack like they all knew exactly what she meant.
Caught in the spotlight, Jack gave a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck, trying—and failing—to look innocent.
After a few more minutes of chatter, Alan's voice shifted, casual but probing. "Mom, did Lia say when she'll be back?"
"No, Alan," Kylie replied, her tone softening. "Lia said she has some work and she'll be back once she completes it." A faint smile curved her lips at the thought.
Hearing this, Noah's brows furrowed, his voice taking on a more serious edge. "Lia's new here after all these years. What work can she have?"
Jack's eyes darted away from the screen for a brief second, the flicker of guilt barely there—but Hendry caught it instantly.
"What did you do, Jack?" Hendry's voice was calm, but underneath it was steel.
Jack stiffened, his shoulders tensing before he tried to plaster on confusion. "What do you mean, Hendry?" Kylie asked with confusion.
"Yeah, what do you mean, Hendry?" Jack added, forcing a laugh that didn't reach his eyes.
Hendry's gaze darkened, his tone dropping a few degrees colder. "Tell us what you did—or what you know—about Lia, Jack. Or else…" His eyes narrowed into a threat that needed no words.
Alan and Noah's expressions hardened, their once relaxed postures now sharpened as they turned their full attention on Jack.
Jack swallowed hard, lifting a hand toward his phone—but Alan's voice cut in, low and warning, "Don't even think about hanging up the call, Jack."
The weight in the room pressed heavier. Jack's laugh was strained as he tried to ease the tension. "It's nothing serious…"
"Get to the point, Jack!" Noah roared, his voice so loud it seemed to shake the line.
Jack flinched, almost dropping the phone. "It's… just… that…"
"Jack!" Alan snapped, the crack in his patience now obvious.
Jack blurted it all in one breath, "Lia said she'll be staying in Clover Hill for some time, and she convinced me, so I gave her some work related to company matters." He closed his eyes as the words tumbled out, bracing for the reaction.
Silence followed—thick and heavy.
When he opened his eyes, every face on the call was set in a mask of controlled anger. Even his usually warm mother had an edge to her gaze that sent a warning chill down his spine.
He scrambled to explain. "Don't look at me like that. I told her I'd be coming to Clover Hill, but she asked about the business. When I told her, she said she'd handle it—said there was no need for me to come."
Their expressions didn't change.
"I swear, I refused her. I told her to enjoy her time there, since it was her first time. But you know how she is—once she decides, no one can change her mind! How could you expect me to?" His voice rose slightly in helplessness.
Kylie exhaled, the sigh carrying both worry and understanding. "Then I hope you didn't give her anything too difficult."
"Ahha, no, Mom," Jack said, his voice turning slightly proud. "You don't know—there were people occupying our family's old land. I asked her to get them to leave. Do you know what Lia did? She went straight to their office—their office—and threatened them in front of all their men. The company staff who went with her are still praising her for it."
Kylie's lips softened into a proud smile. "Of course. Whose daughter is she?"
The brothers' stern faces eased for a moment at their mother's pride, but Alan's focus didn't waver. "You said they were big shots?"
Jack nodded. "Yes, with plenty of men and political pull."
"Then what about her safety?" Noah's tone turned grim again.
"Do you know where she's staying?" Hendry asked sharply.
Jack shook his head. "When I asked, she said she already had a place to stay and didn't need me to arrange one."
"You all worry too much," Kylie said calmly, almost confidently. "She'll be safe."
Alan narrowed his eyes. "Mom, do you know where she's staying?"
Kylie gave a small nod. "Yes—and I know nothing will happen to her there."
Hendry leaned forward slightly, suspicion in his eyes. "Is someone staying with Lia?"
Kylie blinked, surprised. "Why do you think someone's staying with her?"
Jack frowned. "Who is she staying with? Whoever it is must be someone you trust completely."
Kylie's lips curved into a knowing smile. "With Ethan around Lia, who dares to go near her with bad intentions?"
The reaction was instant—
"What?!""Ethan is staying with Lia?!""How is that possible?!""Ethan?!"
Four voices boomed in unison, their faces stormy with outrage as the tension in the air thickened like an approaching storm.