Chapter 6
As soon as I stepped out of the car, my parents were already waiting at the gate.
I stopped in my tracks, head down, biting my lip so hard it hurt. I couldn’t bring myself to look at them–like a kid caught doing something wrong.
They had spoiled me since I was little, but out in the real world, I hadn’t even been able to protect myself. And now, at this age, I was still making a mess they had to clean up. Mom pulled me into a hug, while Dad let out a cold snort. “At least you had the sense to come to us. Guess you’re not completely stupid.”
They told me the thing I had been dreading never actually happened.
Right as the final auction item was about to go on stage, the police arrived. The whole place was shut down on charges of distributing and selling obscene materials. Chaos broke out, but Keon only had eyes for that single sheet of paper.
***
Kizzie, meanwhile, had no time to celebrate Keon’s impending div
out of there.
needed to get
“Keon, what’s going on? Why are there so many cops? I’m scared–let’s just go, okay?”
But for the first time, Keon didn’t respond. He just stared at the agreement, at the name he had signed three years ago. A sinking feeling gripped him.
Kelsey’s parents‘ words echoed in his mind.
“Your grandfather did a great favor for our family, the Harts. Now that the Woods are in trouble, we’re willing to help–to repay that debt.”
“Our daughter happens to like you. A marriage between our families would tie our interests together. And with the Harts‘ reputation backing you, it would be a win for both sides.“”Although we did this out of paying a moral debt, do not equate this with us selling away our daughter. If one day, she decides she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life with you, I hope you’ll end things with dignity. Of course, whether your marriage lasts or not won’t change the Harts‘ stance toward the Woods.”
Keon’s legs wouldn’t stop shaking. His grip tightened around his assistant’s arm as he pressed him for answers.
“Kelsey only gave you this one document? That’s impossible!”
His voice grew harsher. “She must have said something else! And now you’re lying to me too? Is that it? You don’t want this job anymore?”
The assistant was so terrified he was practically on his knees. But what was he supposed to do–make something up?
“The Madam only said there was something going on at home and asked the driver to bring it over first. That’s all. She really didn’t say anything else.”
Meanwhile, the auction house was in chaos. With so many high–profile guests present, the police were taking their time investigating each person.
The fact that they refused to cut any deals–no matter how powerful the attendees were- meant that someone even more powerful was behind this.
Kizzie, watching the officers get closer, was starting to panic. Sweat pooled in her palms as she grabbed onto Keon’s arm.
“Ugh, Keon, come on! Kelsey probably just feels dirty. I mean, any woman would be ashamed after getting passed around by three men, right? She’s obviously divorcing you to save face–what’s there to think about?”
“Let’s just go before we get dragged into something!”
Keon shoved her hand off, his icy glare sharp enough to cut through flesh.
“But how would Kelsey even know?” Keon turned sharply to his two brothers. “Was it you?” Both of them shook their heads so fast they looked like bobbleheads. One even mimed zipping his lips shut. “No way, bro! We kept our mouths shut!”
Keon let out a slow, amused laugh before shifting his gaze back to Kizzie. “Then tell me, Kizzie–who else could’ve told her? You think it was me?”
Kizzie jolted upright, scrambling out of Keon’s arms as if she had just touched fire. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
For the first time, Keon felt like the girl in front of him wasn’t the same person she used to
- be.
The truth was, ever since Kizzie returned, he had sensed something different about her- those little schemes she thought he didn’t notice. He could turn a blind eye to them.
But using him as an excuse to hurt Kelsey? That was a line she shouldn’t have crossed. His Kelsey–only he was allowed to mess with her.
Keon leaned back, voice slow and deliberate. “Kizzie, why are you in such a hurry to leave? We’re all good citizens here. What’s wrong with cooperating with the police?”
His smirk sharpened. “Or is there something you’re afraid of?”
Kizzie’s face turned deathly pale. The weight of Keon’s presence alone was enough to crush her. Her legs wobbled beneath her.
“I… I didn’t… That’s not…”
Keon reached out, gripping Kizzie’s chin between his fingers, tilting her face up just enough to get a good look at the fear she was failing to hide. He took his time, savoring it.
“Remember this, Kelsey is my wife–legally, officially, undeniably. Anyone who humiliates her is humiliating me and the entire Woods family.”
“I’ve spoiled you, indulged you, let you throw your little tantrums–but only within the limits I set.”
Right then, the police stepped up, their tone firm but respectful. “Mr. Woods, we need your cooperation.”
Keon gave a slight nod, signaling his compliance. The smaller families that relied on the Woods had no choice but to follow suit.
11:49 Thu, 3 Apr
As he turned his head, something caught his eye–a stack of photographs the officers had just collected from the auction stage.
The top photo showed only a woman’s hand, but that wa contracted sharply.
enough. Keon’s pupils.
Slowly, he turned his gaze to Kizzie, who was inching backward, her face drained of color.
A vein pulsed at his temple as he ground out, “You’ve got some nerve.”
Realizing the game was up, Kizzie spun around and bolted.
She didn’t make it two steps. With a simple flick of Keon’s hand, his men grabbed her like a helpless little chick and dragged her back.
His voice dropped, dangerously low. “You stood there preaching about women, about not wanting Kelsey to be embarrassed. You swore you’d destroy the photos.”
He lifted the stack of evidence, shaking it in her face. “Is this what you meant by destroying them?”
