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Sonia and Naomi were close friends.
When Sonia heard that Lucius would be at the gathering tonight, she jumped at the chance to tag along under Naomi’s wing and thought she could use the opportunity to get closer to Lucius.
To Sonia’s dismay, Noah approached with Kieran and Valerie in tow before making a subtle gesture for her to move aside. “I kept my word and brought the man you wanted, Luc.”
Knowing Lucius wanted a private word with Kieran, Noah signaled Sonia to take the hint and step aside.
Still, she didn’t budge. She’d worked hard to earn this seat, so why should she give it up so easily?
Noah hadn’t expected her to be so clueless and made a mental note against her. “Can’t you read the room, Ms. Woodward?”
He had no idea what kind of relationship existed between Sonia and Valerie. With his status, he couldn’t care less whether Sonia felt uncomfortable because of Valerie’s presence. Sonia was nothing to him, even if she was wrapped in the halo of a genius scholar.
Tonight’s gathering was for business, and she wasn’t even on the guest list. He was amazed at the audacity she had to sneak in as Naomi’s friend and now hog the main seat.
Sonia edged closer to Lucius and put on a wounded look. “I won’t interfere with Mr. White’s
business.”
Although Noah had no idea, Kieran knew perfectly well what went on between Sonia and
Valerie.
“If this young lady is to be the future Mrs. White, surely Mr. White wouldn’t mind letting her listen in on private matters,” he said with a smile as his words cut deep.
Sonia’s cheeks flushed red. To marry Lucius and be his wife was a goal she longed for and her ultimate dream. And if she was dismissed in front of everyone now, it’d make her hopes of fantasy look like a pathetic joke.
Lucius caught Kieran’s implication and jutted his chin out at Sonia. “Find another seat.”
His clean, sharp dismissal was like a hard slap to Sonia’s face, leaving her in an awkward spot. She shot Valerie a venomous glare before pouting and moving to a different seat.
Smiling, Kieran gestured to a vacant seat. “Sit down with me, Val.”
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Watching Kieran and Valerie interact like a couple twisted something in Lucius‘ chest. She’d been in his bed this very morning, yet now, she was cozying up to another man right in his face.
But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. Forcing his gaze away, he gave
Kieran a polite yet distant nod. “I asked you out today to inquire about someone, Mr. Holt.”
Kieran responded with a polite smile. “Go on, Mr. White.”
Without beating around the bush, Lucius said, “I’m looking to have King K take a job, and I wonder if you could introduce us.”
Kieran froze briefly before he instinctively glanced toward Valerie. She was calmly eating fruit, ignoring their conversation as if she were more interested in the imported fruits, fresher and sweeter than anything from the supermarket.
He had to withdraw his gaze and say, “To be honest, King K isn’t taking jobs anymore. I don’t even know where they are.”
It was no secret within the elite circle that Kieran had been K Net’s first client.
Back when K Net was still in a no–name corner of the web, its tagline had been laughably blunt. “Pay the price, and your wish shall be granted.”
Chapter 42
