Chapter 10–There’s A Bounty On Him

Natasha’s POV.

I turned at the sound of the voice.

My gaze landed first on the woman.

Older. Graceful. Fragile, but not weak.

She stood beside Tristan, her hand resting lightly in his as if it had always belonged there. There was something about the way he held her—careful and steady. A side of him I had never seen beyond the cocky, provocative façade he put on.

Behind them stood another woman, younger. That must be his sister.

For a moment, I simply stood there—taking it all in.

This version of Tristan felt… different. Softer.

Different from what people described. He was known to be cold, ruthless. I had never seen that side of him, nor have I seen this one.

“Abuela,” Tristan said quietly, his tone carrying a gentleness I hadn’t expected. “This is Natasha.”

“Natasha, this is my grandmother…” he paused, then turned to the woman behind him. “…and this is my sister, Patricia.”

Their faces lit up instantly.

“Hello, Natasha.” Patricia said with so much enthusiasm.

“Hello, Patricia. Nice to meet you.”

“So you’re the business associate, hm?” His grandmother said.

Business associate? I frowned slightly at that—the familiarity in her tone. My gaze snapped to Tristan.

For a second, a faint—almost amused smile crossed his face.

“Abuela,” Tristan warned lightly.

She let out a soft laugh.

“What?” she shrugged, clearly amused. “That’s what you called her, no?”

Patricia smiled softly, clearly enjoying the moment.

Then Abuela stepped forward, composing herself.

“Good morning, ma’am,” I said respectfully.

Her smile widened.

“Oh, please. Call me Adelina,” she waved lightly. “Come here.”

Before I could react, she reached for my hand, holding it between both of hers.

“It’s so good to finally meet you,” she added.

I nodded slightly.

“You too, ma— Adelina,” my voice softer than I intended.

Tristan exhaled softly, already done with the conversation.

“I have something to take care of,” he said, his gaze briefly meeting mine. “I’ll be back.”

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

I watched him go for a second longer than necessary before shifting my attention back.

Adelina was looking at me, smiling.

“So,” she began, gesturing toward the sofa for us to sit. “How did you two meet?”

I hesitated just for a second. I didn’t know what Tristan had told her, because for all I knew, I was a business associate.

“It wasn’t anything special,” I said smoothly. “Our companies crossed paths, and we were introduced.”

That was an easy lie.

Abuela studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“I see.”

Patricia said nothing, but the look in her eyes said enough.

She didn’t fully believe it.

“He mentioned you’re a Whitmore,” Adelina continued. “Do you happen to know a Susan Whitmore?”

“That’s my grandmother,” I replied, frowning slightly.

Adelina’s expression shifted to something softer, almost nostalgic.

“I thought so,” she said quietly.

“You knew her?” I asked.

“Well, she was an old friend.” Adelina replied, her gaze drifting briefly. “May God rest her soul.”

“Your grandmother, Susan, was so full of life,” she continued. “The kind of woman who lit up every room she was in without even trying.”

Suddenly, my thoughts spiraled.

Could that be the reason Tristan wanted me?

He had told me his grandmother wanted him to be married, but could he have chosen me because of the past connection?

Adelina’s voice cut through my thoughts, asking me questions.

What I liked.

Where I’d been.

And for a moment, it was comforting. This was the closest conversation I've had with a mother figure.

Time passed. I don’t know how much.

I shifted subtly in my seat.

“I should speak with Tristan,” I said after a while, my tone polite but firm. “He mentioned some documents.”

“Ah,” Adelina nodded once. “Of course.”

Patricia stood.

“I’ll take you,” she offered.

I followed her.

The further we walked in, the quieter it became.

We climbed the spiral stairs one at a time and stopped in front of a door.

“That’s his study,” Patricia said.

“Thank you.”

Patricia nodded once before turning away.

The door was slightly open.

I reached for the handle.

As I was about to knock on the door, I heard voices.

I paused.

I shouldn’t be listening in on the conversation, but I didn’t move.

“…you said nothing about the extent of his involvement,” a voice said.

Daniel.

Tristan’s response was calm.

“I wasn’t aware of anything at the time.”

“That’s not the point,” Daniel replied, his tone sharper. “Marcus Whitmore approached you to stabilize his company. Not drag you into war.”

My fingers tightened slightly around the handle.

War?

There was a brief silence inside.

“There’s a bounty on him now,” Daniel continued. “And not just him. His family too.”

The words landed heavily.

Panic surged into my chest.

“That complicates things,” Tristan said.

“Complicate things?” Daniel scoffed quietly. “They are already moving. It’s only a matter of time before they make an attempt.”

My heart slammed against my ribs.

My mind drifted to the figure I saw this morning.

Everything started to fall into place.

“And the bastard didn’t think to tell me,” Tristan said, voice rising with anger. “About the underworld dealings. About who he owed. Did he think I wouldn’t find out?”

Silence settled again.

I stepped back slowly.

My heart was beating faster now, but my expression remained controlled.

I didn’t wait to hear more.

I turned and walked away.

Each step steady, despite the storm building beneath the surface.

By the time I reached the living area, Adelina and Patricia looked up.

“You’re back already?” Patricia asked.

I nodded once. “I have to leave.”

Adelina’s brows pulled together. “So soon?”

“Something came up,” I replied, my tone polite but distant.

Patricia studied me more closely this time.

“You’re sure everything is okay?”

I forced a small smile. “Yes.”

“I’ll see you another time,” I added, turning slightly toward Adelina.

She nodded slowly, though her gaze lingered.

“Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will.”

I didn’t wait any longer.

I walked out of the house. Faster this time.

By the time I stepped outside, the air felt different—heavier.

I exhaled sharply, my gaze unfocused as I stood there, waiting.

Waiting for something to make sense.

I brought out my phone to book a ride.

“Miss Whitmore.”

I lifted my head. It was the driver who brought me here.

“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.

“Yes, please.” I replied too quickly. “Take me to Whitmore Industries.”

My hands trembled slightly.

One thought echoed louder than the rest.

What has my father done?

The car pulled into the garage at Whitmore Industries.

I stepped out, slamming the door shut. .

I walked into the lobby leading to the elevator. My movements were sharp and unyielding.

I stormed into his office, but he wasn’t there.

“Where’s my father?” I asked the secretary.

“He’s having a meeting in the boardroom.”

I didn’t waste any seconds.

“Ma’am, you can’t—”

I pushed the door to the boardroom open.

“Wow, Marcus. Wow! I must admit, you really are shameless.” I said as I clapped my hands together.

The room fell into awkward silence.

“That’d be all for now,” he said.

They all stood and left the room, except Victoria.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Natasha?” Victoria said.

“I’m not talking to you!” I snapped at her.

“In fact…” I paused. “…Get the fuck out!”

“And if I don’t?” she fired back.

I exhaled slowly. “Victoria, I won’t repeat myself.”

She moved to close the distance between us.

“You come in here, throwing tantrums, and you’re asking me to leave? Do your worst, sister. I'm not going anywhere."

That’s it. That was all it took. Whatever restraint I’d been holding back dissolved into nothing.

I surged forward, fisting my hand into her hair and yanking hard, dragging her out of the boardroom before she could even steady herself.

I locked the door behind me.

My father simply stood there as he watched the scene unfold right in front of him.

“Back to you, Marcus.”