Chapter 23 All be honest tonight

Kaia followed, closing the door behind her, trying to stay upbeat. “What’s up, Jude? The meeting didn’t go well?”

Jude nodded. “Yeah. I caught Miles sitting in their lobby when I was leaving.”

Kaia’s face darkened. “Seriously? Is Mr. Lambert trying to swoop in at thest second?”

Jude lifted a brow and scoffed, “Let him try.”

The contract he was sure about yesterday? Suddenly, Julian bwas /bdragging his feet, iming he couldn’t decide on bhis /bown.

“Anybody can get this contract except Miles.”

Jude and Miles had been rivals at the firm forever, always fighting for clients.

Kaia gave him a confident smile. “Jude, you’ve got more experience than Mr. Lambert, and if the Graves Group picks Vanguard Law Firm, they pick you, the best. I really believe that.”

“Okay, I’ll swing by Graves Group again in a few days. Let’s get back to work.”

The rest of the afternoon flew by. Kaia nced at the clock,

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Chapter 23 All DE NONest tonight

shocked to see she was already ten minuteste.

She’d promised Joanne she’d show up tonight, no matter bwhat/b.

She figured it was finally time to tell the Graves family about breaking off the engagement, too.

With the weddinging up, dragging it out any longer would only make things messier.

Alden stood in the foyer with a stone–cold face, ncing at the front gate every few seconds.

“Mr. Alden Graves, are you waiting for someone?” one of the staff asked.

Alden just shook his head, ignoring them, leaving the housekeepers confused.

If he isn’t waitingb, /bwhy is bhe /bglued to the front doorb? /b

What nobody knew was, ever since Kaia blocked him yesterday, Alden had been in a foul mood.

When Kaia’s red car finally pulled up to the Graves Manor, Alden shot up from his seat.

Then he realized he looked too excited and turned an olli1. /li/ol

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Chapter 23 All be honest tonight

walking inside all slow and awkward.

Alden nearly reached the door before ncing back, his patience gone. “Where is she?”

A staff member piped up. “Mr. Alden Graves, are you waiting for Ms. Domont? She went back to her car for something.”

Alden shot them a sharp look. “Who said I’m waiting for her?”

He stomped into the entryway, still sulking.

The staff just shook their head and walked awayb, /bba /blittle helpless.

As soon as Kaia walked in, Joanne greeted her with a bright, over–eager smile.

“Kaia, there you are! Finally.”

Then, Joanne pulled her into a cozy seat, her fake warmth making Kaia’s skin crawl.

Sure, Joanne had always been polite before, but never this over–the–top.

Allen heard her voice from the study and strolled downstairs.

“Well, well, Kaia, just off work? Busy week, huh? You look

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bChapter /bb23 /bbAll /bbbe /bbhonest /bbtonight /b

thinner again.”

Kaia shifted under the sudden attention. “Yeah, work’s been kind of hectictely, but I’m bmanaging/bb./b”

“That’s our girl. Always on top of things. How’s your neck? bThat /bburn healed up yet?b” /b

Kaia blinked.

How the hell do they even know about that?

She reached up, brushing her fingers over the spot without thinking.

“It’s fine now, really. Doesn’t hurt at all.”

Allen shot his grandson a re, visibly annoyed.

“Alden, don’t just stand there like a post. Get over here and apologize to Kaia.”

Kaia arched a brow as Alden dragged his feet over, clearly unwilling.

She gave a breezy smile. “It’s fine, Sir Graves. It wasn’t even his fault.”

She didn’t need a half–hearted apology, especially one forced

out.

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Chapter 23 bAll /bbe honest btonight /b

b“/bHe still needs to apologize,” Joanne jumped in. b“/bHe’s careless, but he cares about you. Kaia, don’t be mad at bhim/bb, /bbalright/b?”

Alden let out a long sighb, /beyes glued to the floor. “Sorryb./b”

“Say it like you mean it!” Allen snapped.

Alden clenched his bjaw /band raised his voice.

“I’m sorry.

I didn’t know you got burned.”

Kaia scoffed silently.

iIf /iihe /iireally /icaredi, /iiI /iiwouldn’t /iihave /ibeen isecond /ito ihis /iprecious isister/i.

Lucien lounged back, legs crossed, coolly watching.

“Alden, you forgot someone.”

Alden’s brows knit together.

“Uncle Lucien, Luna had nothing to ido /iwith it. She didn’t know Kimberly would flip out like that.”

Lucien’s eyes narrowed.

“Really? Then maybe Luna can exin what she was doing with Kaia that day.”

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bChapter /bb23 /bAll be honest btonight /b

Luna’s bface /bturned ghost white. She bit her blip/b. b“/bL…”

“That’s enough!” Allen mmed his cane against the floor. “Alden, zip it!”

Then he turned his gaze on Luna, cold and sharp.

“Luna, apologize.”

Alden shot her a worried nce. He knew if he said anything else, it would just make things worse for her.

Luna clutched the hem of her sweater, then finally muttered, “Kaia, I’m sorry. I didn’t know Kimberly would throw that at you.”

Kaia gave a cool little smile. “I heard you.”

Luna’s eyes lit up a little. “You’re so kind, Kaia. I knew you’d forgive me.”

1

Kaia gave her a long stare. “Oh? iSo /inow I’m expected to forgive you?

“iSince /iwe’re all being honest tonight, there’s something I need ito /isay too. Alden and I already talked about it, Sir Graves. I don’t know if he told you.”

Alden’s heart dropped into his stomach.

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Chapter b23 /bbAll /bbbe /bhonest btonight /b

iShe /iwouldn’t… iShe /icouldn’t…

iIs /ishe really going ito /isay ishe’s /iiending /iithe /iengagementi? /i