h4Chapter 376: More Worries II/h4

    Ewan stopped listening to Spider, who was going on and on about histest breakthrough in the software business, when Sandro stepped into the office, carrying a load of files.

    "You have lots of work to do, old friend. I don’t know how you would forget that, choosing to spend hours on a video call with Spider. It’s not like he’s Athena or something."

    Spider’sugh rang out from the screen. "Sandro, bring your big head to the screen so I can see you..."

    Sandro scoffed. "Look at thisd... you seem to forget you’re the youngest of us by years."

    Anotherugh from Spider. "And how does that matter to my request? I haven’t seen you in the longest time."

    "Well, that’s because you’ve chosen to live in the shadows. You won’t evene out to hang with either of us. We don’t even know where you are. For all we know, you might be in some country in Africa, having your fill of theirdies."

    "Well, they do have beautifuldies."

    "So, you are in Africa?" Sandro pressed, circling Ewan’s table so that he could see Spider’s face—one he hadn’t seen in more than two years. The twenty-six-year-old was the most elusive figure he had ever met.

    Even though he and Ewan had practically raised the boy, who had joined the gang at barely sixteen, they still knew very little about him. Only the identity of his younger sister, who at the moment was off-grid, remained a constant.

    Spider carried an aura that suited him perfectly—slipping in and out of sight, impossible to pin down. Perhaps "Shadows" should be added to his name.

    Spider Shadows. It had a nice ring to it, Sandro thought, as he took in the smiling face winking at him from the screen.

    Unable to stop himself, he smiled too, leaning closer. "You look grown."

    Spider snortedically. "I’ll do well to remind you that I’m no longer sixteen. Haven’t been that for nine years now."

    "You must feel so proud of yourself."

    And then the banter began in earnest. Their voices bounced off each other,ughter loud, quick jabs flung across the screen.

    Ewan shook his head at intervals, already used to their antics, while he picked a file from the stack Sandro had dropped on his desk.

    iBoys will always be boys/i, he thought. If he was more like a young father to Spider, then Sandro was the yful uncle who ignored every convention of what uncles should be.

    It was easier to ignore them once Sandro picked up theptop and went to the armchair, lounging as he continued their idle chatter. iSee pot calling kettle ck,/i Ewan mused, remembering how Sandro had chided him earlier. He shook his head and bent over his work.

    Barely five minutes in—five minutes of Sandro’sugh ringing out from across the room—there came a knock at the door. Before Ewan could say a word, a head popped in, apanied by a bright smile.

    Victoria.

    Ewan suppressed a sigh and a curse, forcing a perfunctory smile onto his lips. "Victoria... how can I help you?"

    Immediately, the banter in the room stopped. Sandro shut theptop, and Ewan knew Spider had logged off. Typical.

    "Well, Madam Ruby has been waiting outside for a long while. Sandro was supposed to inform you when he came in with the files, but he must have forgotten." Her eyes darted to Sandro as she offered him ame, apologetic look. "I just wanted to remind you she’s still waiting. I got her tea and biscuits to keep herpany."

    "That’s very thoughtful of you. Could you keep herpany for the next five minutes while I finish up with the forgetful Sandro here?"

    "Of course, Ewan. Thank you."

    The smile she gave waspletely unnecessary. Then she was gone.

    "You’re ying with fire, Ewan," Sandro said immediately, pushing to his feet and cing theptop back on the desk. "Why does she address us by our first names? This is an office setting."

    "I’m only trying to make herfortable," Ewan replied evenly. "Athena is now a Thorne, soon to have her as a sister-inw. I don’t want any unnecessary tension. I want her to remember the levity and respect I show her, and to ord the same to Athena."

    Sandro raised a brow, incredulous. "And you think this will work? That Victoria isn’t as vindictive as Cedric, her fiancé? They’re birds of the same feather, Ewan. Don’t make the same mistake twice."

    Ewan’s face hardened. "I’m never going to choose another woman over Athena and the kids—least of all Victoria. I barely tolerate her presence. This is just my small way of contributing to the peace of the Thorne household, and a personal favor to old Mr. Thorne."

    Sandro shook his head. "Don’t drag the old man into your foolishness. He told you not to bother with her if she failed the interview. But not only did you create a non-existent job for her when she failed the whole process, you also had lunch with her yesterday. What would you have done if Athena had seen you both?"

    A shudder ran through Ewan, chills prickling his skin. "She can’t possibly have. She would’ve called—"

    "And why would she?" Sandro cut in, frowning. "Does she seem like someone who has no time on her hands?"

    Ewan sighed in resignation. "I didn’t n on having lunch with Victoria. I was eating alone, she breezed in, saw me, and joined me. Even though I felt like sending her away, she’s part of Athena’s family. I had to y my part to smoothen the ridges."

    "I understand," Sandro said, leaning forward, palms t on the desk. "But there can never be smoothening done in that family. They killed his only child, for God’s sake. That’s inhumane. I won’t be surprised if Victoria’s presence here is also strategic."

    Ewan had thought of that too. Why hadn’t she gone elsewhere? She was just too foolish for the open jobs in hispany. But then why not simply continue her life as before? Why want a job now?

    "You may be right," he admitted, "but I’m doing this so no one calls me heartlesster. When they test me, when they mistake my kindness for stupidity, I want it clear that I gave every chance."

    "You’re giving her more chances than you usually would..."

    "That’s because she’ll soon be rted to Athena. But one wrong step, and she’s out. And I mean iout/i."

    Sandro nodded, understanding shing in his eyes.

    Ewan leaned back, shoulders sagging. "I just want to make things easier for her and the kids, you know. I just..." He exhaled deeply.

    Sandro walked around the desk and ced a firm hand on his shoulder. "It’s alright. Who knows? Fate might have something better nned for you two. Your history with her is too much..." he drawled, making Ewan crack a faint smile.

    "Right? Well, I’ll keep the hope alive—until she gets married."

    "And then what happens?"

    Ewan shrugged. "Die as a stupid bachelor."

    Sandroughed, heading toward the exit. "Make that two of us," he tossed over his shoulder.

    Almost immediately after he left, Madam Ruby stepped in.

    "Mr. Ewan..."

    "Madam Ruby..."

    Tentative pleasantries were exchanged as the older woman took a seat, nerves betraying her. She had not stopped cursing herself for thinking she could outsmart Ewan, for trying to exploit a vulnerable moment out of greed.

    She hated that side of herself, hated more the fact that she had ibe/i that character.

    "Why are you here, Ruby?" His use of her first name startled her. Should she take that as a sign?

    "To apologize," she said humbly. "I am very sorry, Mr.—"

    "Just call me Ewan."

    Another sign?

    A tired sigh escaped her lips. "I don’t know what came over me—"

    "Greed," Ewan supplied calmly. "Basic human thing. Although I thought you had outgrown it, considering our history. Considering you tutored me at some point in this business. Considering you were my father’s good friend."

    Madam Ruby broke down, sobbing. "I am sorry," she repeated over and over. "Please forgive me truly. I can give up the shares, but please... forgive me."

    She hadn’t been able to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she dreamt of his father, and always, he wasn’t happy with her.

    "Forgive me, Ewan..."

    "It’s okay. You can go. I’ve forgiven you. I’m sure my father would have wanted that."

    Gratitude made her voice heavy. "Thank you so much," she whispered hoarsely, finally crying out the words. "Thank you."

    She rose but lingered, clearly reluctant to leave.

    Ewan, who had already bent back over his document, looked up. "Is there another matter?" His face was nk, unreadable.

    "Just... be careful. My rtive says there’s unrest in the underground regarding your alliance with Doctor Athena. It’s said the toughest gang is after your head. They might be working for Morgan’s sponsors now."

    "I see. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll put it into consideration."

    She wrung her hands nervously, then finally let them fall as he turned back to his work.

    "Okay then. Good luck."

    And she was gone.

    The moment the door clicked shut, Ewan leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. His suspicions had been valid iafter all./i

    Kael wasing for him.

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