Chapter 8: Unexpected Incident

Karina made her way toward Devon’s study.

She had been summoned there unusually early.

Did something happen last night?

Or was he still going to question her about Seth?

Karina frowned slightly, her mind crowded with different possibilities.

Last night, after dinner, just as they were about to head home, Devon had received a call and left immediately.

The driver dropped her off afterward and she hadn’t heard from him since.

Karina stopped outside the study and knocked lightly.

A moment later, the door opened.

Leon stood there.

He gave her a slight nod before walking past without saying anything.

Karina nodded back, exhaling quietly before stepping inside.

“You called for me?”

Devon didn’t respond.

He continued reading through the documents spread across his desk as if she hadn’t spoken.

Karina remained where she was.

Her eyes unconsciously drifted toward him.

He wore a fitted black shirt with the first few buttons undone, exposing part of his collarbone. His glasses rested low against the sharp bridge of his nose as he scanned through the pages.

Her eyes moved lower to his lips, then—

“Are you done staring?”

Devon finally spoke.

He removed his glasses and set them on the table before looking at her directly.

Karina immediately looked away.

“I—I wasn’t—”

“How do you know Seth?”

Devon cut her off.

His eyes stayed fixed on her, cold and suspicious.

Karina had expected this.

She already prepared an answer.

After Devon left last night, Seth had managed to catch up with her.

She told him not to mention anything about where they met and together they settled on what they would say if anyone asked.

Seth refused to let her leave until she explained.

In the end, she collected his number with a promise to catch up later before leaving before anyone noticed them together.

Karina looked back at Devon.

“We’ve met before during a trip.”

She paused.

Devon remained silent.

Her fingers tightened slightly.

“I helped him find his way once.”

She forced herself to continue.

“And I didn’t want him making a scene at the party over something small… so I avoided him.”

Devon kept staring at her.

Karina held his gaze.

She refused to look away first.

Avoiding his gaze meant she was hiding something and she needed him to believe her.

Devon didn’t say anything.

Instead, he leaned back into his chair and crossed his arms.

“Jade told me your family needs an investment contract,” he said casually, watching her closely.

He wanted to see how she would react.

Karina’s lashes fluttered briefly before she steadied herself.

So that’s where he was last night.

She felt a slight pain in her chest but she wouldn't cry or crash out.

Not this time.

“Don’t give it to them.”

She finally spoke, determination clear in her voice.

Devon scoffed.

“And why should I listen to you?”

Karina held his gaze.

“You’d be at a loss if you accepted.”

She paused before adding calmly, “And I believe Mr. Russell doesn’t do business that way.”

Her voice remained steady.

Even if they sold her off, she wouldn’t let them get what they wanted.

Devon stared at her for a moment before standing up.

He walked toward her in long strides until he stopped directly in front of her.

“I see you’re starting to grow wings.”

He leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice near her ear.

There was irritation there.

But something else too.

Karina’s breath caught.

The moment he got close, she caught the scent of his cologne again.

Her heartbeat sped up embarrassingly fast.

“I—I just wanted to warn you ahead of time,” she stuttered.

Devon let out a low laugh and straightened.

“Jade was right.”

Karina blinked.

“What?”

He walked back to his desk and put his glasses back on.

“Get out.”

Karina stood there for a second before quietly releasing the breath she’d been holding.

She nodded and turned toward the door.

Her hand reached for the handle then stopped.

“I—I have a request.”

She decided to push her luck a little further today.

Devon looked up.

His lips curved slightly.

“Already showing your true colors?”

He leaned back again.

“Speak.”

Karina lowered her eyes briefly and clasped her hands together before speaking.

“I want them to work for me.”

Devon frowned.

“Who?”

Then it clicked.

“Oh.”

His expression turned strange.

“The two fools from earlier?”

Karina frowned instinctively before smoothing her expression out again.

She gave a small smile.

“Yes.”

Then after a pause, she added,

“You can deduct their salaries from the money I’m supposed to receive.”

Devon looked at her quietly.

She was willing to spend her own money just to keep them close.

Interesting.

He’d keep an eye on them once they arrived.

“As you wish.”

He reached into the drawer and tossed a black card onto the table.

Karina stared.

Then quickly walked over and picked it up.

“T–Thank you.”

She smiled widely.

A real smile.

And then she turned and left.

Devon remained still.

For a brief moment… he looked surprised.

She hadn’t smiled like that since arriving here.

And all because of some mere servants?

He was still staring at the closed door when Leon walked in.

“Aww, missing her already?” Leon taunted, noticing Devon’s expression as he walked in.

Devon glared at him, returning to the documents in front of him. “If you have nothing to do, leave.”

Leon ignored him and sat in front of him instead, placing a few papers on the desk.

“The drug that was injected into your body on your wedding night was meant to mess with your mind. Seems like whoever planned this knows about your illness,” Leon said.

Devon picked up the papers and scanned through them.

“If I hadn’t fought my way out, I would’ve been dead by now,” Devon said through gritted teeth before looking up. “Was it the same drug that was found on that man we dealt with the day before the wedding?”

Leon froze for a moment before sitting up straighter.

“Now that I think about it… you’re right.” His expression became serious. “Those two incidents must’ve been connected.”

Devon slammed his fist against the desk in frustration.

“Have they made any move since then?” he asked.

Leon sighed and leaned back into his chair.

“No. Ever since you got married, they’ve been unusually quiet…” He paused before glancing at Devon carefully. “Did you feel anything strange that night?”

The second the words left his mouth, he regretted the way it sounded.

The room suddenly became quiet.

Devon slowly looked up.

Leon immediately cleared his throat.

“I don’t mean… that.” He coughed awkwardly. “I mean the drug. Did you feel anything unusual?”

Devon looked away and shook his head.

“Not really. I was dizzy and out of my mind.” His brows furrowed slightly. “I can’t quite remember what happened that night.”

Leon pressed his lips together, trying very hard not to smile.

Devon noticed immediately.

“What?”

Leon bit the inside of his cheek before speaking carefully.

“Could it be… you sleeping— I mean… her being by your side—”

Devon grabbed a book.

“Don’t you dare complete that sentence.”

Leon smirked.

“I’m just saying. It’s possible.”

The book flew straight at his face.

Leon dodged and immediately stood up.

Devon ignored him and picked up another document.

“Go to the Garcia family and ask them to prepare a more detailed contract.” He didn’t look up as he spoke. “Make sure I’m not at a loss.”

Leon raised a brow.

“Suddenly? A few moments ago you were ready to sign it immediately.”

Devon’s expression didn’t change.

“Just do as I said,” he grunted.

Leon stared at him for a second before smiling knowingly.

Then he nodded and walked out, leaving Devon alone with his thoughts.

Karina Garcia

Karina happily made her way upstairs, already thinking about how she was going to tell them the good news.

She turned the corner and bumped into someone.

“Watch where you’re going!” the maid snapped, quickly hiding something behind her back.

Karina paused.

At first, she was going to ignore it and continue walking.

Then she stopped.

The maid looked nervous. She felt extremely suspicious.

And she had come out of the kitchen.

Karina’s expression changed slightly.

What if she tampered with something?

“Stop.”

The maid froze.

Karina stepped closer until she stood directly in front of her.

“What were you doing earlier?”

The maid kept her head lowered.

“I—I was preparing the meal.”

Karina frowned.

Preparing the meal?

She didn’t recognize this maid.

Very few servants had access to this floor and they were only allowed up under strict supervision.

And meals…

Only Patricia had authorization to handle them.

Karina narrowed her eyes.

“And you are?”

The maid didn’t answer.

Instead… she suddenly shoved Karina aside.

“Move.”

Karina stumbled but quickly regained her footing.

Her eyes widened.

“Help!” she shouted immediately, taking off after her. “There’s an intruder!”

The maid ran down the hallway but Karina chased after her.

She couldn’t let her escape.

Not after everything that had already happened.

Karina finally caught up and moved in front of her, blocking her path completely.

The maid stopped as Karina tried to catch her breath.

For a second… everything went silent.

Then she suddenly reached into her clothes.

Karina’s eyes widened.

A knife.

Before she could react, the maid grabbed her roughly and pulled her back against her body, pressing the blade dangerously close to Karina’s neck.

The guards immediately froze.

The maid’s breathing turned uneven as she screamed,

“If anyone moves…”

Her grip tightened.

“…I’ll slit her throat!”