A few days later, Christian returned, and Silva moved into her new villa as promised. She informed him about her conversation with her father—along with Michael's threat.
"I don't mind playing the villain in this little game of yours with your father," Christian said with a smile.
"I see…" Silva replied, matching his energy.
She knew he would agree. After all, he'd already been informed—thanks to the message she had Claudia pass along.
"But I'm curious," Christian continued. "What exactly are you trying to play at here? Making me an even more obvious enemy to your father."
"What is this?" Silva thought coldly, locking eyes with him and smirking. "Didn't he say he'd support me? Is this some kind of joke?"
"You could say it's part of my plan—to have his eyes fixed on you," Silva said, her tone measured. "While he remains blind to the fact that his true downfall is coming from me."
"Impressive. Quite impressive," Christian said, rising to his feet. "Seems like you've got more up your sleeve, don't you?"
"You could say that," Silva replied with a slight smile. "I hate the idea of completely relying on someone's support without making any move myself. It would make me feel… useless."
She added, "After all, it's in our nature to grow tired of people we're constantly helping, isn't it?"
Christian paused, watching her with a thoughtful look. "Ah… I suppose you're right," he finally said.
"She never ceases to amaze me with her mind." he thought.
"But rest assured," he added aloud, "I don't think I'll grow tired of you."
"After all, we're in this together—to help each other, right?" he asked, turning back to her.
"You're right," Silva said, standing. "Which makes me wonder… will our agreement still hold when your lover arrives?"
Christian's eyes widened slightly, then he gave a slow, knowing smile.
"You don't need to worry about that," he said.
"Besides, I'm hoping our real pregnancy plan will succeed before she shows up."
He ended with his usual charismatic flair.
"Quite a vague term he's using, don't you think, Silva?" she thought, her expression unreadable. "But for now, I'll let that slide."
"Right. On that note, how do you plan on dealing with Michael and his little court scheme?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"As for him… it's child's play," Christian replied, his smile suddenly dark and unsettling. "So I suggest you leave him to me."
"And you focus on your father, as planned."
"If you say so," Silva replied, watching him walk away, suspicion dancing in her eyes.
"Quite curious how he's planning to deal with Michael," she thought.
***********************************************A few hours later...
Silva received a message from Asher requesting to meet.
"I don't mind us meeting at tomorrow's family conference after the main session," Silva texted back.
"I didn't tell Christian about this. Then again, not everything needs to be shared with him. Especially since I barely know all his secrets, either."
A small smile crept across her lips.
"Now that Father's added my name to the inheritance list, attending this conference is the first official step in my plan."
She leaned back, a victorious glint in her eyes.
"Besides, now that Asher probably knows I'm on the inheritance list… I wonder what that clown's face looks like."
She laughed to herself, cold and mocking.
"He really thought I was some damsel in distress needing rescue?"
"If that's the case, Mr. Hero, where were you when I was being mistreated?"
She smirked, her gaze steely.
"Ah, that's right. You have your own motives."
"Which is fine. After all, we all have our own agenda."
Her smile widened.
"But rest assured, Asher—I'll be the one on top of the game."
*************Meanwhile…
Asher had just received the news of Silva being officially added to the inheritance list. Fury erupted within him.
He slammed his palm against the door, the sound echoing.
"How the hell did I miscalculate this badly and end up the discarded clown?" he growled.
His eyes narrowed with resolve.
"I guess it's time I move on to my final steps."
His tone dropped cold.
"I need to speak with Christian Brandon."
A faint smirk crossed his lips.
"After all, he knows I was behind those two previous extended hospitalizations…"
Meanwhile, back at Christian's villa, his twin sister Christiana sat across from him, her eyes burning with fury.
"So you really expect me to accept her? Seriously, what are you thinking?"
"Rest assured, Christiana. I know exactly what I'm doing," Christian replied coldly, his voice calm and composed. "Besides, I need you to be cautious. Brandon is still out to get you—you know that."
"Don't try to dodge my question, Christian!" she snapped.
"That woman you call a wife humiliated me in front of your maids! And she even made Fiona apologize—for something she was never at fault for!"
Her voice wavered, hurt bleeding into her words, and tears glistened in her eyes.
Christian exhaled slowly, then stood up.
"If it'll reassure you, this marriage is only temporary. I'll leave it at that."
He paused at the doorway, then turned back with a faint smile.
"Interpret that however you like, my dear Christi."
Her expression softened slightly, the edges of a smile forming—until he spoke again.
"In the meantime, I urge you to focus on yourself. I've assigned Jayden to keep an eye on you from now on."
"Wait, what?!" Christiana's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Do you have any objections?"
"Oh nooo," she said quickly, schooling her expression. "Absolutely fine with that."
Once Christian left, Christiana sank back into her chair, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Jayden? Seriously? Keeping eyes on me?" she muttered, amused.
"This is going to be good."
Stepping into her room, Christiana immediately called her grandmother to inform her about Christian's recent marriage.
"She still needs to be removed—even if just for a short while," Elaine said with concern. "I don't want anything threatening Christian's right to ascension."
"Granny, rest assured. I still believe Christian wants Alvera back. Just leave it to me," Christiana replied with a confident smile.
"Thank you, dear. I only want what's best for him. But lately, he's been treading a dangerous path… and I'm beginning to wonder if he even wants to be the next leader of this family," Elaine said with a worried sigh.
"Apparently, my stupid brother isn't interested in that child either," Christiana muttered happily.
"What is Christian thinking?" Elaine asked sadly.
"I know, Granny. That's why it's going to be easy to convince Alvera," Christiana said, her voice dripping with assurance.
She let out a soft laugh.
"Besides, that pregnant gold-digger actually asked Christian to give her a villa—just because she couldn't bear living with me."