Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
+2 Bonus
Sally flashed a faint smile and said, “Alden, Kaia’s just kidding.”
Luna stepped forward, all grace in her white dress, hair cascading over her shoulders.
“Kaia,” she said gently, “are you still upset with Alden over what happened the other day?”
Kimberly rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, Kaia? You’ve got some nerve being mad at Alden.”
But Alden wasn’t paying attention to any of this.
He lowered his eyes, his deep gaze filled with a hint of inquiry.
“What did you just say you’re over with?” he repeated.
Kaia let out a scornful laugh.
“Oh, are you going deaf now? I said I’m over with you.”
Sally raised an eyebrow.
Well, color me surprised, Kaia.
Alden was seething. He grabbed her and pulled her into his embrace.
1/10
16:51
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
“You think you can just break up with me like that?”
He leaned in close, voice low and cold.
B
+2 Bonus
“Cut the crap. It’s Grandpa’s birthday banquet. Let’s go pay our respects to him.”
With that, he wrapped an arm around her, steering past Luna toward Allen’s table.
Kimberly stamped her foot as she watched their affectionate figures walking away.
“Luna, is your brother out of his mind?”
Luna gave her a slow, unreadable smile.
“Why? Got a crush on him too?”
Kimberly blinked, caught off guard.
“W–what? No!” she said quickly, eyes darting. “He’s… my sister’s fiancé.”
But the way she said it–like the words tasted bitter–gave her
away.
Luna’s expression turned icy. She averted her gaze from her best friend and stared straight ahead.
2/10
16:51
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
“Come on,” she said flatly. “Let’s go say hi to Grandpa.”
Five years. Time to take back what’s mine.
***
+2 Bonus
Kaia didn’t put up a fight anymore.
After all, she was here for a paid gig, and she had to play her part alongside Alden.
“Sir Graves, this is a little something for you. I wish you a long and happy life,” Kaia said with a smile.
Allen took the gift with a beaming smile. “Kaia, you really didn’t have to spend money on this. When are you and Alden going to get your marriage license for the wedding next month?”
Everyone present knew this was Allen’s way of showing how pleased he was with Kaia as Alden’s future wife.
Alden’s eyelids twitched. He was worried that the reluctant woman would blurt out something outrageous again.
So he quickly replied, “Grandpa, we’ll do it in a few days.”
Allen shot his grandson a warning look. “Which day, exactly?”
Alden tightened his lips before saying, “I’m flying out to San
3/10
16:51
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
Diego for a business trip tomorrow and getting back the day after. We’ll head to get the license as soon as I’m home.”
Kaia didn’t buy it.
The day after?
Well, whoever wants to go can just go!
+2 Bonus
At the mention of the specific time, Allen’s expression softened a bit.
“Take a seat, Kaia. Busy day–sorry I can’t be a better host.”
Kaia flashed a sweet smile. She didn’t want to let this kind–hearted old man down.
“Don’t worry about me. Just focus on your big day.”
Alden casually gestured towards a table. “You and your mom can sit over here.”
Then, spotting Luna chatting with Allen, he hurried over.
“Humph, Kaia, see? Luna is definitely the apple of Alden’s eye,” Kimberly sneered.
Kaia didn’t even bother to glance at her stupid and malicious stepsister.
4/10
16:52
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
B
+2 Bonus
Instead, she turned to her stepmother with a mischievous smile.
“So, when are you giving her a brother? Dad’s always been dying to have a boy.”
Kimberly was fuming. “Kaia, what the hell are you talking about?”
Kaia said with a knowing smile, “What? The way you drool over Alden, I thought you wanted a brother. Maybe Sally can help?”
Sally’s smile froze. “Kaia, you’re such a kidder.”
Damn brat. She’s mocking me for not being able to have a son.
“Excuse me, Ms. Domont. Sir Graves would like you at the main table,” a voice interrupted.
Kaia was briefly taken aback, then she stood up and smiled. “Okay, thanks.”
As she walked off, Kimberly’s face twisted with envy.
“Mom, she’s outrageous!”
Sally gave her daughter a sharp look. “Come on, cool it. Don’t forget why we’re here today.”
Kimberly took a deep breath, and her restless nerves suddenly settled.
5/10
16:52
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
Right, I’m not here to start a fight with Kaia.
***
+2 Bonus
“Did you hear? Mr. Lucien Graves is coming later.”
“Lucien? He’s back in the States?”
“Yeah. Overseas business is solid now. Makes sense he’d return.”
Everyone knew the truth–Allen’s youngest son was the real power behind the Graves empire, though he kept to the shadows.
“Still single, too. All the socialites in New York are gonna be fighting tooth and nail for his attention.”
***X
“Kaia, sit next to Alden,” Allen said. “That boy’s clueless. Of
course, his fiancée should be with the family.”
Zane and Joanne, Alden’s parents, both smiled.
“Yes, Kaia,” Joanne added warmly. “I’ve been looking forward to your wedding.”
Then, she turned to Luna.
6/10
16:52
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
+2 Bonus
“Luna, since you’ve been abroad for five years, you might not be in the loop. Meet Kaia Domont, Alden’s fiancée. You knew each other, right?”
Luna’s smile faltered for an instant. “Yeah, Kaia was my senior in high school.”
Noticing Luna’s unease, Alden quickly peeled a shrimp and dropped it onto her plate.
“Here, Luna. Your favorite,” he said gently.
Allen narrowed his eyes, just a flicker, but didn’t say a word in front of the crowd.
“Kaia,” he said instead, “tell Alden to peel one for you too.”
Just as Alden had peeled a second shrimp and was about to put it onto Kaia’s plate, she spoke up nonchalantly.
“No thanks. I’m allergic to seafood, so shrimp’s off the menu for me.”
Then she met his gaze, her voice laced with meaning.
“Thanks, though. You can give it to Luna.”
Allen let out a soft chuckle and shot his grandson a quick, reproachful look.
7/10
16:52
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
“Lucien’s stuck in traffic. He told us not to wait up for him.”
“Is Uncle Lucien staying this time?” Alden asked.
At Graves Group, Zane handled local ops while Lucien ran international.
People often said Allen had two outstanding sons. But some secretly hoped to see a rift between them.
+2 Bonus
Too bad for those folks–Allen had already planned everything.
Zane, the elder son, was practical and conservative, perfect for maintaining the family business.
Lucien, the younger one, was sharp and decisive. Allen’s top choice to be the heir.
The group’s top spot in NY? All Lucien’s smart moves.
Five years ago, Allen stepped down and handed Lucien the
reins.
But true to his low–key style, Lucien left the local affairs to others and focused on going global.
“What?” Allen smirked. “Afraid he’ll start bossing you around?”
Lucien was 33 years old. Despite his youth, he was incredibly
strict.
8/10
16:52
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
+2 Bonus
Once, when Alden was a minor, he’d secretly taken the family car out for a joyride with Luna, and Lucien had almost sent him to the detention center.
As a result, Alden had been a bit in awe of him since childhood.
Alden scratched his head sheepishly. “Of course not.”
He forced a smile, but when he caught Kaia’s frosty look, his temper flared up.
He leaned over and hissed angrily in her ear, “What are you smiling at?”
Kaia speared a piece of fish with her fork and popped it into her mouth.
“Oh, nothing. I just find you a real hoot,” she quipped, a hint of mockery in her tone.
Just then, a deep, resonant voice boomed from behind them.
“What’s the big laugh? Come on, let’s all get in on the joke.”
Kaia’s heart did a little somersault in her chest.
A towering figure emerged, commanding attention with each stride.
9/10
16:52
Chapter 4 Lucien Graves
+2 Bonus
Dressed to the nines in a sleek dark–gray suit, he sported a crisp black shirt buttoned up to the collar
His eyes were like deep pools, sharp and intense, while his brows were slightly knitted, masking the emotions churning beneath.
“Sorry, I’m running late, Dad.”
It was Lucien Graves.
