Chapter 184

Daniel stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of the spacious office, gazing out at the breathtaking view of Norava.

It took him quite a while to fully process the fact that Landon was actually the head of Project Azureveil.

"Landon, you really are something!" Daniel muttered. He had always been proud of the Zuckerberg family’s status and had hoped to use his position as Amelia’s brother to keep Landon in check, making sure he wouldn’t dare wrong her.

But the entire Zuckerberg family was making a living under Landon’s thumb. How could he possibly have any leverage over the guy?

"Right back at you. Mr. Zuckerberg, everyone in the industry knows your name," Landon said with a calm smile.

"Daniel, he’s planning to go to Ausposh to find Patrick. Do you think that’s a good idea?" Amelia asked.

The night before, after Landon revealed his secret identity, he coaxed her into bed, and in a daze, she agreed to let him go to Ausposh.

But she was starting to have second thoughts.

"It’s fine," Daniel snorted. "With his status, no one would dare lay a finger on him no matter where he goes."

Project Azureveil was a government-backed project tied to the military industry.

The fact that Landon was put in charge of Project Azureveil showed just how much the higher-ups trusted him.

With credentials like that, the moment he stepped out of Norava, it was like he’d got an automatic protective aura around him.

"Fine then," Amelia said, clearly unhappy.

‘Why is Daniel actually taking Landon’s side?’ Amelia thought, feeling even more upset.

"I’ll be staying in Norava to keep an eye on you lately," Daniel said.

Landon gave a dramatic eye roll. ‘He’s obviously here for Edith. All that talk about protecting Amelia is just for show,’ he thought.

"Mr. Kingsley, Mr. Kyle is here to see you," the secretary’s voice came through the intercom.

Landon glanced at his schedule. "I don’t have him down for an appointment today."

"Is that Mr. Kyle who’s been throwing billions of dollars into real estate?" Daniel asked.

"You interested too? Then let’s meet him together," Landon said.

Aiden strolled in with one hand casually in his pocket, looking every bit the part in his tailored suit.

With all three business tycoons gathered in one place, Aiden was clearly the youngest, but his commanding aura was every bit a match for Landon and Daniel.

Amelia didn’t want to stay in the same room as Aiden, so she got up and said, "You guys talk business. I’ll go shopping with Edith."

"Mrs. Kingsley, Ms. Meyers isn’t free today," Aiden said.

Amelia frowned. "Doesn’t she only have classes in the afternoon?"

"Landon is heading back to Dreicean, so she went to the airport to see him off," Aiden replied.

Amelia’s eyes widened in shock.

‘Weren’t we supposed to go to Dreicean together to see Paloma? Did Edith seriously forget?’ she thought, feeling a bit...

"Wait, is Edith going to Dreicean too?" Daniel asked, his brows knitting together.

"No, she’s not," Aiden said.

Daniel let out a breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding.

Amelia let out a sigh of relief, too. She thought, ‘Turns out, it’s not time to meet Paloma yet.

‘Guess I’ll just wait for the DNA results before making any moves.’

"So, Mr. Kyle, what brings you here today?" Landon asked, giving Aiden a once-over.

Usually, one could spot at least a little family resemblance between a nephew and his uncle, but there wasn’t even a trace of similarity between Landon and Aiden.

Aiden didn’t mind Landon looking him over at all. "I heard you were planning to build a road for Yeatsmarsh Mountain mine. How about we link it up to my resort while we’re at it?"

"No need," Landon said, narrowing his eyes. "I’m building this road for hauling mine. It’s mainly for freight trucks. Your resort is out in the suburbs, and it doesn’t even connect to my route."

"But if we link them up, then they’ll be connected. Just think, tourists from Pinecrest could come straight to Norava for their holidays—so much more convenient. Mr. Kingsley, this is a win-win business," Aiden said.

"Alright, let me be totally honest. The reason I’m saying no is simple. I just don’t like you," Landon said, not bothering to sugarcoat it.

Daniel started coughing uncontrollably.

‘Is he nuts? Who does business like this?’ Daniel thought, utterly speechless.

"Why?" Aiden blinked innocently. "Did I do something to offend you, Mr. Kingsley?"

"Nope, it’s nothing personal. I just don’t like you," Landon replied, his tone blunt as ever.

"Seriously? What is it you don’t like about me? Just say the word and I’ll change," Aiden said, half-joking, half-pleading.

Landon and Daniel were stunned to hear that.

Amelia was at a loss for words.

‘Why does this sound like a suitor trying to woo someone?’ Amelia thought, feeling a little weirded out.

The office fell into an awkward silence.

Finally, Landon broke the tension. "Mr. Kyle, if you keep talking like that, my wife might get the wrong idea. I’m really not interested in men."

"Mr. Kingsley, I just want to do business with you," Aiden replied with a laugh. "I’m perfectly healthy, and I already have a woman I like."

Landon chuckled. "Glad to hear it."

Everyone quietly breathed a sigh of relief, especially Landon.

‘My wife is just way too gorgeous. I can’t help but worry someone will try to swoop in and steal her from me,’ Landon thought, feeling a bit paranoid.

"Mr. Kingsley, let’s work together! I guarantee you won’t lose out," Aiden said, pulling out his proposal.

Landon thought for a moment and said, "I’ve handed the road project over to the Foster family. If you can get Matthew to sign, then the project’s as good as done."

Bottom line, he just didn’t want to work with Aiden.

But Aiden just wouldn’t give up.

There were tons of businesses in Norava dying to work with him, yet he just had to come courting.

With all his years of experience in high society and the business world, there was sure to be someone...

“If you think the Foster family doesn’t have enough status, how about I sign it instead?" Daniel said with a flourish.

Aiden was left speechless.

"The Kingsley family’s road project is on me too," Daniel added, extending his hand. "Mr. Kyle, pleased to do business with you."

Aiden couldn’t help but feel a little down.

"Mr. Kyle, Daniel is really capable. My husband’s been too busy, and he’s been planning to hand the road project over to him for a while now," Amelia said, barely holding back a laugh.

"Alright, whatever," Aiden muttered.

‘Whatever, they’re all people close to Amelia anyway,’ he thought to himself.

With a reluctant sigh, Aiden gave in and signed his name.

"Well then, I’ll be counting on your support from now on, Mr. Zuckerberg," Aiden said.

"Likewise!" Daniel replied with a grin.

After Aiden left, Daniel asked curiously, "Landon, what’s with that guy?"

"Beats me." Landon shrugged, his narrowed eyes as deep and unfathomable as an ancient lake—impossible to read.

Daniel joked, "Don’t tell me he’s into you or something?"

"Come off it," Landon shot him a glare. "But seriously, Daniel, since when did you start handling the Kingsley family’s roadwork?"

"Hey, I was just helping you out," Daniel replied.

Daniel’s eyes flickered as he turned to the window, pretending to admire the scenery outside.

‘The road project will take ages, so I can stick around in Norava for a while…’ he thought.

‘Amelia, Daniel’s totally got a crush on someone,’ Landon grumbled to himself.

Amelia rubbed her forehead, thinking, ‘Isn’t that a good thing?"

‘Better tell Edith to watch out and not let him sweet-talk her again,’ Landon added silently.

Amelia was at a loss for words.

‘Amelia, I know it’s tough for you to answer, so just give me a little nod if you’re on board,’ Landon said in his mind.

But Amelia stubbornly refused to nod.

Daniel was about to start his own romantic pursuit, and she was totally in favor.

‘You’re not actually thinking of letting Daniel marry the daughter of the enemy, are you? Amelia, don’t even think about having such crazy ideas! Daniel and Edith—no one’s ever going to approve of them together,’ Landon thought.

Even if Amelia didn’t mind, the Hughes family would never allow it.

Amelia had no idea that the Hughes family had been meddling in her life. She was still naively thinking that as long as Daniel was happy, that mattered.

After all, the Hughes family had never really cared about them, even when they’d gone through so much.

Since Daniel didn’t have a place in Norava, it just made sense for him to stay with the Kingsley family. This way, he could look after Amelia more easily.

Gloria warmly welcomed him to the house.

That night, Landon left Amelia in Daniel’s care and then hopped on a flight to Ausposh.

The next day, the DNA test results were out.