Chapter 102 The giarist

Lucien froze.

Damn. iShe /ifigures iit /iiout/i.

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“No fever, you say?” Lucien said, quickly pressing a hand to his forehead, feigning difort.

“Then why’s my head still pounding?”

Kaia wasn’t buying it. Her eyes narrowed, and she grabbed the thermos with a huff. “If you’re not sick, I’m out of here.”

“Wait!” Lucien caught her wrist, his voice softening into a coaxing tone. “I’m not messing with you. Maybe that m chowder you made worked some magic—I’m feeling a bit better already.”

He tilted his head, his expression earnest. “You didn’t forget I was in a car ident yesterday, did you?b” /b

Kaia’s resolve wavered.

He had posted about the ident on Instagram.

Could that have been a lie, too?

But what would be the point of faking it just for a bowl of soup?

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Chapter 102 The giarist

+7 bBonus /b

She let out a soft “hmph,” still a little miffed. “Fine, but u can’t just go around stripping.”

“I didn’t!” Lucien protested, his voiceced with yful innocence. “You got my shirt all messy, didn’t you?”

He softened, his tone warm. “Look, it’s gettingte. You should head home. Thanks for today, Kaia. Sorry for the hassle.”

His sudden politeness caught her off guard.

“It wasn’t that much trouble,” she mumbled, her cheeks tingling with a mix of emotions.

But lingering here feelsi… /iiunwise/i.

“I’m going,” she said, turning to leave.

As her hurried footsteps faded, Lucien’s gaze dimmed.

He’d pushed too far, spooked her. Her pale face shed in his mind, and he sighed.

He nced down at his chiseled abs, a flicker of frustration crossing his face.

Not even a little tempted to stay and sneak a touch?

*****

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Chapter 102 The giarist

Kaia sat in her car, her thoughts a tangled mess.

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What had just happened at Lucien’s vi felt like it had crossed some invisible line between them.

How had she ended up crying on his shoulder?

And why on earth had he peeled off his shirt like that?

Theck of control left her rattled.

“Get it together,” she muttered to herself, a warning as much as

a reminder.

“He’s your best friend’s uncle, your ally–not someone to fall for. Don’t get in too deep, or you’ll never get out.”

**

**

The next morning, Kaia snapped back into her sharp,posed

self.

She’d barely settled into her office at thew firm when her phone rang with an unexpected call.

“Kaia, just get to the office?” Ka’s cheerful voice came through.

It was nine on the dot, the start of their workday,

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“Ka! Yeah, I just walked in. What’s up?” Kaia asked, a smile creeping into her voice.

It had been a while since they’d seen each other.

They’d talked about grabbing dinner, but Ka’s packed filming schedule had made it impossible.

A WhatsApp message might’ve been casual chit–chat, but a call meant business.

“You know me too well,” Kaughed. “I’ve got a friend who needs legal help. Can I send him your way?”

“Absolutely, I’d love to take it on,” Kaia said, her interest piqued. “What kind of case?”

“Infringement. Someone ripped off his song,” Ka said sinctly.

That afternoon, Kaia met Ka’s friend, Jimmy Moore, in her office.

“Ms. Domont, I’m not sure how much Ka told you,” Jimmy began, cutting straight to the point. “A song I wrote three years ago has been ripped off by ba /brookie singer.”

“She gave me the gist, but I’d like to hear it from you,” Kaia said. “Can you y both songs for me?b” /b

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Jimmy nodded, pulling out his phone. “This is Fourteen Bridges, my song fromte 2022. I wrote andposed it myself. I’m kind of a has–been, so it never really took off.”

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The melody was folk–inflected, niche, but hauntingly beautiful.

“It’s lovely,” Kaia said sincerely.

“Thanks,” Jimmy replied, a faint smile breaking through his somber demeanor.

Then he yed the second track, sung by a female artist.

Kaia listened closely. The verse, chorus, and bridge bore striking simrities to Jimmy’s song–too close for coincidence.

Proving giarism was tricky, though.

“I can hear the simrities,” Kaia said thoughtfully. “Who’s the artist on the second track?b“/b/

Jimmy’s voice was measured. “A new singer named Luna Thorne. Alfly Entertainment’s been pushing her hardtely.”

Kaia’s eyes lit up, her pulse quickening.

She leaned forward, “You’re saying Luna Thorne. She is the one who sings My Fate?”