Chapter 281 Strange Tension

Tobias’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Alright. I’ll be waiting to see if your news is worth it.”

His voice was smooth, low, and intoxicating… It carried a dangerous kind of charm, one that could drag anyone under.

Kyla’s heart skipped a beat. She thought about Tobias’s face–just as handsome as Jude’s, maybe even more striking. But Tobias wasn’t like Jude. Jude was cold, proud, and untouchable, like some king on a throne. Tobias, on the other hand, wrapped her up with sweet words and a soft, pampering tone. It was like a spider’s web, pulling her in, leaving her unable to escape.

Every time Kyla thought about it, her cheeks burned. Her chest tightened with heat she couldn’t control.

Oh my God… what is wrong with me? I love Jude. Jude is the only one. So why am I so obsessed with Tobias’s voice? I’m not the kind of woman who cheats. I’m not! I only love Jude. Kyla, stop thinking like this!

Five days later, Tilda and the others arrived at the airport.

“Alright, Una. You can stop here. From here, Professor Linscott and I can check in on ourselves.”

Una pouted. “Tilda… I really wish I could go with you, but I couldn’t get the time off.”

Una wasn’t as lucky as Tilda. Not only had Tilda finished Shaun’s classes early, but she had also qualified for the International College Art Competition. She and Simon were flying to Motrar together.

Before they left, even the school’s leaders came to send them off. They showered Tilda with praise, hoping she’d bring back a championship trophy and make both the school and the country proud.

“Don’t worry. Phones make it easy. If you miss me, just call me on video. And cheer me on while you’re at it.”

“Of course I will! I’ll get my whole family to watch the livestream and cheer for you!” Una raised her fist, her eyes burning with determination.

“Alright, alright…”

After saying goodbye to Una, Simon smiled warmly. “You and Una are really close.”

“Of course. She’s the most important best friend I’ll ever have.” Tilda’s lips curved into a smile. She never hid her bond with Una.

But just as Tilda and Simon were about to check in… They ran into another group, Russell and the others.

Tilda’s mouth twitched.

Damn it. I really can’t avoid these people, can I?

Russell saw her too. His face darkened.

Dominic pulled his suitcase along, his heart tangled the moment he spotted her. He didn’t even know what to say. Wade felt the same. So did Justin.

Simon instantly sensed the strange tension. “Tilda, are you okay?” he whispered.

This was an airport. Surely they wouldn’t make a scene here. Simon had heard about what happened between Tilda and the Jensons. Since it was her family business, he didn’t pry.

“I’m fine,” Tilda said calmly. “Just ignore them. We’ll check in and get on the plane.”

She kept her cool. After all, they were flying to different places. Once they boarded, they wouldn’t see each other again. And if by some chance they ended up on the same flight… She’d rather take the next one than sit near them.

They all quietly finished the check-in process. No one said a word. Dominic, Wade, and Justin all wanted to hear Tilda’s voice again. But when they remembered all the pain and fights between them, none of them dared to step forward.

Instead, Russell did.

“Honey?”

“Dad?” Blair and the others stared in shock.

“Relax,” Russell said. “I know what I’m doing. I’m not here to fight. Stay back. I want to talk to Tilda alone.”

Before anyone could stop him, Russell strode over. Blair and the others froze.

Wade muttered nervously, “Mom… Dad isn’t going to hurt Tilda, is he?” He was worried that Russell might lose control again, like before, and lash out. Wade would rather be hurt himself than see Tilda get hurt.

“Trust him,” Blair said firmly. “He built the Jenson Group from the ground up. He’s the man I love and trust. He won’t make the same mistake twice.”

But even Blair, who thought she knew Russell best, couldn’t guess why. Why is he the one approaching Tilda? Everyone here had a reason to talk to her. But Russell, who hated her most, was the last person they expected to step forward.

Tilda and Simon had just dropped off their luggage. She turned, and there was Russell, standing right in front of her, his face dark and cold.

“Get out of my way.” Tilda’s voice was sharp, merciless. She didn’t even want to acknowledge this so-called “father.”