Chapter 42
Back when Kieran ran into a difficult mess, he’d reached out to King K, the founder of K Net, half in jest and half in desperation.
When the matter was cleanly resolved, he began promoting K Net’s services widely out of
admiration.
King K operated by a simple rule. “Pay up. The job gets done. No questions asked.”
Since the launch of K Net, countless clients had gone to King K for solutions, but only a handful had ever seen their true face, with Kieran being one of them.
Catching the faint disappointment in Lucius‘ eyes, Kieran asked, “Why are you looking for King K, Mr. White? I can pass along the word if I do hear from them.”
Lucius didn’t bother hiding his intent. “I’ve heard that King K can solve any problem, so I want them to help me with tracking someone down.”
“Who could be worth all this trouble?”
“Phantom Healer Thirteen Needles.”
At that, Kieran’s gaze flicked to Valerie, who sat peeling a grape with lazy patience, as if she
hadn’t heard a word.
Lucius noticed the faintly odd look on Kieran’s face, and suspicion stirred in his mind. “If you can track down Phantom Healer, I’ll pay you double of whatever cut is meant for King K.”
“You flatter me, Mr. White. I’d never steal King K’s business. As for Phantom Healer, I don’t know where their whereabouts are either.”
Even if he did, he wouldn’t dare reveal that information and identity without permission.
He poured Lucius a glass of wine and apologetically added, “Forgive me for being of no help. This one’s on me as an apology.”
After draining his glass in one go, he set it down and chuckled. “I suppose you didn’t set up tonight’s party just to ask about King K. There has to be something else on your mind.”
They were seated far enough from the crowd to make sure others couldn’t hear, so he cut through the pretense and continued, “You’re hoping I’ll help with breaking an array, aren’t you?”
Surprise flashed in Lucius‘ eyes after seeing the sharp Kieran read his thoughts so easily.
As a rising star in the world of mystic arts, Kieran’s reputation had outstripped even Gustavo’s, so perhaps he might be capable of breaking Lucius and Valerie’s binding vow array.
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“You’re right, Mr. Holt. That is the other reason I asked to meet today.”
A cryptic smile curled up on Kieran’s lips as he said, “In that case, heed these words. No debt in the past means no meeting in the present. A meeting now can only mean a debt unpaid.”
The words were ambiguous, but both Lucius and Valerie understood them. They exchanged a brief, unreadable look, but none of them said a word.
Lucius raised the drink Kieran had poured him and uneasily took a sip, his mind mulling over
the riddle of those two phrases.
Meanwhile, Sonia–banished to the sidelines–was distractedly playing darts with Naomi.
“What’s the deal with Valerie?” Naomi whispered. “Didn’t she cross Mr. White and get hauled off to detention?”
As Sonia’s close friend, she was well–informed about some of the Woodward family’s private affairs. She’d heard the rumors and knew of Valerie’s background.
Sonia’s eyes were filled with hate as she replied, “My dad must’ve begged Mr. White to let her
off.”
She’d asked Skyler why Valerie was released early, and he’d mumbled something about Lucius being generous and considerate of the Woodwards‘ image.
Deep down, Sonia knew that Skyler would do anything for the sake of the half–dead Jay in the hospital, and so, the perfect misunderstanding was born.
Naomi stirred the spot by saying, “You’re too soft. With the legendary Mr. White on your side, why not use him to wipe out Valerie? How can you stand her strutting around in front of you?”
Chapter 43
Chapter 43
