Chapter 3

“What the hell is this?” she demanded through gritted teeth, her eyes widening in shock. The deal was that they would stay away from each other, so what in the world was this?

Liam casually glanced toward the sitting room, acting as though he hadn't heard her.

“I fucking asked you a question,” Kiera said.

But Liam remained unresponsive, his eyes fixed on the same spot. Being treated like air was something Kiera would normally have no problem with, but not in this situation.

Her anger rose to its peak.

“You're good at acting deaf. Keep it up. That's what an asshole does,” she muttered.

With that, she stepped out of his grip and tried to walk away, but Liam stopped her.

He gripped her shoulder tightly and said calmly, “I'm not acting deaf. I just don't waste my words on unworthy things, which includes you, orphan.”

Kiera knew what he was trying to do. He wanted to provoke her.

But she wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

She looked directly into his eyes.

“And you think you're worthy? Hmm. Bastard.”

Her words clearly struck a nerve because his grip on her shoulder tightened.

The rage in his gray eyes was unmistakable. Kiera smirked, which only seemed to annoy him further.

“Watch the way you speak to me, orphan,” Liam warned.

Kiera chose to act deaf this time, giving him no reply. Instead, she tried to peel his hand away from her shoulder.

But Liam made it impossible.

Kiera didn't give up. She kept trying, but his grip only tightened, turning the struggle into a silent tug-of-war.

Just then, Victoria descended the stairs and caught them in the middle of their struggle.

“Uhm-uhm.”

She cleared her throat.

Kiera watched Liam look away from her, his gaze shifting toward Victoria. Disgust flashed across his face.

It was as if her presence annoyed him.

Whose presence doesn't annoy him? Kiera thought.

Liam released her shoulder, and just as she thought he was finally letting go, he wrapped his arm around her waist again.

“You bastard. Get your hands off me.” Kiera didn't bother hiding her anger just because Victoria was there.

“Your orphan daughter needs some enlightenment,” Liam said mockingly.

Victoria hesitated. She seemed awkward before finally speaking in a quiet voice.

“He has to. You both need to appear like loving siblings.”

With that, Victoria quickly walked away.

“Hey!”

Kiera tried to call her back, but she wasn't sure what to call her. She couldn't bring herself to say Mom, and definitely not Victoria.

“Damn it,” Kiera muttered under her breath.

Liam took the opportunity to pull her toward the sitting room.

John was sitting on the couch. He turned toward them, a subtle smile forming on his lips.

“You enjoy this a lot, don't you?” Liam asked John.

“Stop acting brittle,” John muttered.

Liam sneered.

“Since you've already started, finish it properly,” John said, emphasizing the last part. “Don't ruin the party, Liam.”

Liam gave no reply. Instead, he said, “I'm going to visit her next month.”

“As long as you behave yourself today, you can go see her anytime. Don't ruin the party,” John warned again. “Before you do anything, remember Scarlett.”

“The only reason I'm doing this in the first place,” Liam murmured.

John didn't bother arguing with him. He turned to Kiera instead.

“You would look beautiful without that frown.”

“I would stop frowning if he got his hands off me,” Kiera immediately complained.

“Forget about that,” John dismissed her complaint. “And erase that frown from your face unless you want to have a long conversation with the paparazzi.”

How were they expecting her to smile when the one person she hated most was practically glued to her side?

But a wide smile suddenly appeared on John's face.

He walked past them with an almost mesmerized expression.

Kiera's gaze followed him as he stopped in front of Victoria, who was dressed in a champagne-colored gown.

“You look so beautiful, Your Majesty,” John whispered before kissing her neck and wrapping an arm around her waist.

“You really have no interest in watching this, do you?” Liam's voice brought Kiera back to her current problem.

Left with no choice, Kiera followed him.

It's all for the college fees, she reminded herself, trying to keep her cool.

Outside, a black limousine was waiting for them.

A bodyguard stepped forward and opened the door.

Liam and Kiera got into the back seat and sat beside each other. Not long after, Victoria and John joined them.

“Drive,” John instructed the driver.

The journey was mostly silent, except when John said something and Victoria gave a brief reply.

Soon, the car came to a stop, and the door was pushed open.

Before John stepped out with Kiera, he turned toward them.

“You two behave yourselves.”

His tone sounded as though he were talking to two mischievous children who were always getting into trouble.

Victoria also turned to Kiera.

“When they ask you any questions, you don't have to reply. Just smile.”

Kiera wanted to sneer.

Just smile, as if it were that easy.

“Liam, you know how to handle this. And help your sister if there's a need to,” John said.

But both of them immediately objected.

“She isn't my sister.”

“I'm not his sister.”

Victoria shook her head helplessly at their synchronized response.

“Don't say that in front of the cameras,” John simply said before getting out of the car with Victoria.

Liam also stepped out. He extended his arm toward Kiera like a gentleman.

“Such a good actor,” Kiera sneered, her voice low enough for only the two of them to hear.

She took a deep breath and forced the frown from her face. Then she placed her palm in Liam's, allowing him to help her out of the car.

They were immediately welcomed by a swarm of reporters. Camera flashes exploded before their eyes, and Kiera instinctively covered her eyes.

There was barely any room to move. Their path was completely blocked.

Several questions were thrown at them at once.

“Miss Cole, how does it feel to be a member of the Cole family?”

“Do you have a good relationship with your brother, Miss Cole?”

“What are your future plans as a Cole?”

Cole. Cole. Cole.

The name was everywhere.

She wondered what their reaction would be if they knew she wasn't a Cole yet.

A bodyguard stepped forward and cleared a path for them.

Kiera and Liam made their way into the hall, stopping on the red carpet along the way for pictures.

By the time they entered the hall, Kiera looked around.

The setting was simple but luxurious, and several elegantly dressed guests filled the room.

Liam led her to the stage, where John and Victoria gave a short speech welcoming her to the family.

Kiera also delivered the speech she had practiced, while Liam remained silent beside her throughout.

As they stepped off the stage, John instructed Liam, “Introduce her to everyone.”

And just like that, Kiera was stuck with Liam again.

They stood beside a table while a waiter served them glasses of champagne.

Different people approached them, most of them men.

The interactions were brief. Liam's replies were cold, while Kiera's were forced, making it difficult to hold any meaningful conversation.

Kiera wondered why they were only being approached by men.

She looked around and noticed the women's gazes fixed on them.

Most were openly attracted to Liam, while others sized Kiera up.

Kiera somewhat understood their reactions. There was no denying that Liam was attractive.

Sturdy, tanned skin, curly hair and especially those grey eyes.

But he was still a complete jerk.

Just then, a lady approached them. She looked to be around their age.

As she stopped in front of them, Liam said coldly, “Three steps back.”

Kiera couldn't help but frown.

Does he always have to be so mean?

“Hi,” the lady said. “I'm Zara .”

“Hello,” Kiera replied with a forced smile. “I'm Kiera.”

Zara turned to Liam.

“Your sister is beautiful.”

Liam didn't even bother replying. Instead, he pulled Kiera away.

“She's still talking to us,” Kiera said but then she noticed something unusual.

Liam's arm remained around her waist, but his body was unusually stiff. His jaw was clenched, and his fingers barely rested against her.

Kiera frowned.

What is wrong with him?

She glanced at his face and noticed a bead of sweat sliding down his temple. “Are you okay?”

She simply didn't want to end up running around if he suddenly fainted.

Liam glanced at her as though she were the problem.

“You're making me uncomfortable.”

Kiera's gaze darkened.

“If you are, leave,” she said, trying to contain her anger.

“As if I can,” Liam sneered.

Kiera looked away, silent rage forming in her eyes.

“You're also making me uncomfortable, so stop acting like the victim,” she muttered.

“You don't like this either?” Liam asked.

Kiera nodded.

“Good,” Liam muttered.

With a terrifyingly calm movement, Liam tilted his wrist and emptied his champagne glass directly down the front of her dress.

The icy liquid soaked instantly through the fabric and Kiera froze.

For a moment, she could only stare at the dark stain spreading across the dress.

Liam patted her lightly on the back, “Go get your dress changed.”

His expression remained completely normal.