Chapter 607 A Risky Bet
Malcom’s hand froze mid-pour, the teapot suspended in the air. Tilda’s words made it clear: she didn’t take this meeting seriously at all. To her, it was nothing more than a casual chat over tea. Malcom forced a smile. “Ms. Tilda, you really have a sense of humor.”
“Mr. Lowell,” Tilda said calmly, “smart people don’t waste time talking in circles. Just tell me, why did you ask me here? We only met briefly that night, so I can’t imagine what reason you have to seek me out now. Please clear up my confusion.” She went straight to the point.
Malcom looked into her eyes–dark, steady, unreadable. For a brief second, a chill slipped into his chest. Feeling that kind of pressure from a twenty-year-old girl was a first in his life.
No wonder. She was well-deserved to be Dane’s junior. Russell, you fool. You cast aside a priceless jewel.
Behind the wall, Kyla’s heart jolted.
Mr. Lowell? Is that Tobias? No. This isn’t Tobias’s voice.
The voice was deep, magnetic, and rich with experience. It carried a calm confidence that only came from years of success. He sounded like Russell when he spoke.
It carried the calm, steady strength shaped by years of experience. Just from his voice, Kyla could picture the man: successful, respected, handsome. Her heart pounded in excitement. This was the charm of a mature, wealthy man.
Unbelievable! Has Tilda snatched up another good man? Is she meeting him in secret now? This bitch already had Dane, Jude, Alfie, and Maurice–isn’t that enough? She never stopped chasing after more attention, always seducing men. This slut had trouble. She simply couldn’t stop herself from fucking with these men.
Kyla’s jealousy cut so deep it almost hurt to breathe. Her eyes burned as if she might cry blood.
Then a thought struck her. What if Tilda really was sneaking around with another man? What if Kyla could catch it on camera? A few scandalous photos at the right moment.
She could mail them to Jude and the others. They would see the truth–Tilda wasn’t the woman they thought she was, just a lowly slut out to seduce more men. Maybe then Jude and the others wouldn’t care so much about Tilda. Maybe they’d start noticing Kyla instead.
And her family? They wouldn’t treat her so coldly anymore. Once they saw Tilda’s true colors, they’d be disappointed in her all over again. Everything could go back to the start. Back to when Kyla was the real daughter, when all eyes were on her. Back to those happy, shining days she had lost.
The thought of that possibility made Kyla restless. She couldn’t just stay in this room–there was no way to get any pictures here. Kyla decided she had to sneak outside and try to snap some shots in secret.
She knew it was dangerous. One wrong move and she’d be done for. But if she didn’t do it, she’d spend her whole life crushed under Tilda’s heel with no way out.
“This is my best chance,” she whispered to herself. “Kyla, you have to be brave. If you pull this off, the future will finally look bright.”
Her mind kept racing. “Tilda isn’t the kind of enemy you can take down without taking risks.”
Over and over, she gave herself little pep talks to keep her courage up. Just then, voices drifted again from Room Orchid.
“Well, since you’re so straightforward, Ms. Tilda, I’ll get right to the point,” Malcom said. He poured her a cup of tea and spoke seriously. “I want to form a partnership with you–something that benefits us both.”
Tilda pressed her lips together. “I’m listening.”
“I want to adopt you,” Malcom said firmly. “As Crown Group’s heiress, you would have access to our resources. In return, we would ask you to lend your identity to strengthen our position.”
The heiress of Crown Group?!
Kyla’s mind reeled. She suddenly realized who that man was.
It’s Malcom! The chairman of Crown Group!
He wasn’t just anyone. He was more powerful than Russell. Crown Group was so strong under his lead that it had once gone head-to-head with DY Group itself. Kyla remembered seeing him at parties when she was younger. She knew Malcom and Russell were close.
Unbelievable. Unfair! Why does this slut, of all people, get the chance to be the heiress of Crown Group?
That identity was far more privileged than being the heiress of the Jenson Group. If Tilda accepted Malcom’s offer, she would shine brighter than ever, making Kyla look like nothing more than a clown.
And once the Jensons found out?
Kyla didn’t need to guess–they’d never be able to let Tilda go.
A knock came at the door.
“Excuse me, ma’am, we’re here to serve your dessert.”
But Kyla didn’t hear a thing. She was too caught up in eavesdropping and drowning in her jealousy.