Adele opened the door quietly and entered, carrying a soft white towel, which she placed carefully on the edge of the bed before heading towards the large wardrobe. She took out comfortable clothes as usual, but she couldn't ignore Liam's piercing gaze, which was fixed on her the whole time. She felt as though she were under a microscope, and her lips parted to speak, but she preferred to remain silent.
Kyle, who was lying on the bed in his usual mood, slowly got up and took the towel from her without looking at Liam. Instead, he focused his gaze on Adele, who was holding his clothes. He spoke in a calm, artificial tone. "Follow me."
Adele looked at him with slight surprise, but she didn't comment. Since when did he ask her to enter with him when he showers? She hesitated for a moment, but the smile on her young master's face and his childish wink made her feel like he was planning something else. She knew Kyle well; behind every unexpected move, there was a plan.
Adele moved behind him with hesitant steps while feeling Liam's strange gaze trying to interpret what was happening. Kyle stepped inside, leaving the door open for Adele, who immediately followed him. It wasn't long before Liam heard the sound of the door locking securely, making him stare at the door with a questioning, suspicious look.
The attached bathroom was spacious and luxurious, with walls covered in gray marble and small windows allowing natural light to come in. Kyle sat on the closed toilet seat, one foot over the other, a faint smile on his face as if the whole world displeased him except when he was planning to stir chaos.
Adele spoke in a quiet voice filled with suspicion, "Young Master, I can't be part of this nonsense. What are you planning?"
Kyle laughed lightly, as if it were amusing to him. He raised his eyes to her, then gestured with his hand to the towel neatly placed in his hands. "Adele, take off your clothes. That's an order."
In the office of the great master, Mr. Reynolds sat behind his desk made of African ebony wood, known for its deep dark color and high value. His fingers moved lightly over the keyboard of his personal computer, messaging his personal secretary to check his schedule for the next day.
The sound of a knock at the door interrupted the silence that filled the room. Mr. Reynolds spoke without lifting his eyes from the screen, "Enter." The door opened cautiously, and Pierce, the head of staff, appeared with his usual slight bow, showing his composed respect for his master.
Pierce spoke in a formal tone, "Sir, I apologize for the interruption, but Mr. Victor Montagu, the head of the Montagu family, has arrived unexpectedly without an appointment and requests to see you immediately. He says he wants to discuss a potential cooperation agreement between the two families."
Mr. Reynolds paused for a moment, then gently closed his computer and stood up from his seat. His expression remained calm as always, showing no signs of surprise or distress, despite the unexpected nature of the visit. "Let us show him our hospitality, Pierce. Please escort me to the reception room."
Pierce bowed again, opening the door for Mr. Reynolds, who walked steadily toward the guest reception hall, a luxurious room with furniture made of mahogany wood and expensive royal cream-colored rugs.
In the guest reception hall, Mr. Victor Montagu was sitting on a comfortable sofa, a man in his mid-fifties, strikingly elegant but bearing the features of someone accustomed to control. His carefully styled black hair carried streaks of gray, reflecting the experience of the years. Upon Mr. Reynolds' entrance, Victor stood with a small smile and a slight bow of the head, conveying the mutual respect between the heads of the major families.
Mr. Reynolds spoke first, offering a warm smile. "Mr. Montagu, I didn't expect your visit today, but I'm pleased to welcome you to my home."
Mr. Montagu responded with a smile, "Mr. Reynolds, I thank you for hosting me without an appointment. I know my sudden arrival may have disrupted your schedule, but I believe important matters deserve to override some formalities."
The two men sat on the opposing sofas, with Pierce standing nearby, carefully observing everything. Mr. Reynolds spoke calmly, maintaining his composed demeanor, "Of course, we are always prepared to welcome esteemed guests, especially those who bring interesting news. Pierce, please bring us some tea."
Pierce bowed once more and quietly left the room.
The conversation began with traditional small talk, as though it were a measured dance between the two men, not meant to progress too quickly.
Mr. Montagu smiled, saying, "I heard that the Reynolds family has secured a new arms supply contract with the government. A very distinguished move, as expected from you."
Mr. Reynolds replied calmly, attempting to reveal his rival's intention, "It's just one step in our long-term plans. Our business is based on building trust with our partners, and that's what makes success sustainable."
The conversation then moved to some economic topics, such as the impact of the recent crisis on the global market and how major companies were dealing with price fluctuations.
Finally, Mr. Montagu spoke gently, "Your heir, Kyle, must be learning a lot under your supervision. It seems the family is in safe hands for the future."
Mr. Reynolds responded with a small smile that concealed much, "Kyle is still in the learning phase, but he is giving his best effort. The future will reveal whether he is ready for responsibility."
Pierce returned, carrying a silver tray with a fine Chinese porcelain tea set. He skillfully placed the cups in front of the two men without making a sound, then stood aside, watching expectantly as he always did.
After a few sips of tea and what seemed like endless conversation, Mr. Reynolds spoke in a firm yet measured tone, "Mr. Montagu, I appreciate your time and interest, but let's get to the heart of the matter. What brings you to us today?"
Mr. Montagu put on a small smile as he set his tea cup aside. "Mr. Reynolds, I've come to discuss a potential collaboration between our families. An agreement that will serve our mutual interests... but the details require patience and calm to fully understand the big picture." Despite his smile, his words carried a veiled threat, as if the meeting were merely a test of strength between the two families.
Mr. Reynolds sat in his comfortable position, back straight, holding his tea cup, while Mr. Victor Montagu continued, setting his own cup aside. "As you know, Mr. Reynolds, Ottawa is not just a city; it's a grand chessboard. We, the four major families, hold its strings—Montagu, Reynolds, Lawrenceon, and MacFarlane. These strings have always been balanced, with each side respecting its boundaries. But..."
Mr. Reynolds smiled slightly, turning his head a little. He had already figured out the fox's intent sitting before him. "But it seems this balance is threatened. Let me guess, Lawrenceon and MacFarlane?"
Mr. Montagu nodded in agreement and continued, "Exactly. I've heard from reliable sources that talks are ongoing between them to arrange a marriage of convenience between the eldest son of the Lawrenceon family and the middle daughter of the MacFarlane family. A smart move, but a dangerous one."
Mr. Reynolds thought for a moment before replying in his usual composed tone, looking at Montagu, "A marriage of convenience is nothing new in our world. But you say it will disrupt the balance of power. Do you see it as a direct threat to us?"
Victor Montagu leaned forward slightly, speaking in a low voice, "Certainly, Mr. Reynolds. If this move goes forward, the two families will unite in an unprecedented way. Their influence will double, and our position will become much more fragile. We know that Ottawa can't sustain more than two power players. There's no room for a third."
Mr. Reynolds replied calmly, his tone sharp as a knife, "You're right that the alliance between Lawrenceon and MacFarlane changes the equation, but I doubt the Montagu family has come just to exchange this information. What do you propose, Mr. Montagu?"
Victor Montagu smiled, as if he had been waiting for this question. He took another sip of tea before answering in a soft voice, as if casting his nets, "Your young master Kyle will soon turn eighteen, correct? The perfect age for a marriage. And by coincidence, my daughter, Veronica, is the same age. Think about it, a marriage between Kyle and Veronica. A family alliance between Reynolds and Montagu. We'll ensure the scales stay balanced, and perhaps even tip them in our favor."
Mr. Reynolds paused in his tea drinking for a moment, carefully setting the cup down on the table. He looked at Montagu with a long, silent stare, as he thought deeply.
After a brief silence, he spoke, "A political marriage between Kyle and Veronica. An interesting proposal, but also fraught with challenges. Marriage is not merely a deal, Mr. Montagu. There is much to consider."
Victor Montagu spoke with confidence, "Of course. I'm not suggesting we force them. The first step is an engagement. Let's give them the opportunity to get to know each other, and with time, we can determine if this is in our best interests."
Mr. Reynolds responded with a small, but cold smile, "I understand what you're saying, and I appreciate your candidness. But this is not something that can be decided so quickly. Kyle is still young, and there are other matters I need to clarify before moving forward. I'll take my time to think."
Montagu smiled confidently, as if he was certain the decision would swing in his favor, then raised his cup again. "Of course, Mr. Reynolds. I trust your judgment. Time is on our side, but I hope we won't wait too long. The alliance between Lawrenceon and MacFarlane is moving quickly."
He ended the conversation with a subtle tone of warning, as the two men silently finished their tea, each carefully calculating their next steps.
Mr. Reynolds sighed lightly, as if admitting that the proposal made sense, but still unsure, "There's a lot at stake, Mr. Montagu. Kyle is not just an heir, he is an individual with his own feelings and desires. I don't want to put him in a position where he's forced to make decisions that might undermine his trust in me—or in himself."
Montagu smiled diplomatically and replied in a calm but persuasive tone, "Of course, and that's why I'm only suggesting the first step—an informal meeting. A small gathering in a relaxed atmosphere, where Kyle and Veronica can get to know each other. There won't be any immediate commitments. Just an opportunity for the two to start a conversation, and perhaps find common ground. Their decision after that will be smoother, and it will align with what we all want."
Mr. Reynolds leaned slightly forward, looking at Montagu thoughtfully, "A party? An intriguing idea. But do you really think such a simple gathering will convince Kyle?"
Mr. Montagu continued with confidence, maintaining a calm tone, "Coincidentally, tomorrow is the anniversary of my son Dimitri's birthday. And in the end, Mr. Reynolds, Kyle will carry your legacy, just as Veronica will carry mine. Deep down, the children know they are part of something greater than themselves. All we have to do is give them the opportunity to understand that. If Kyle sees Veronica as a strong and capable partner, he may make the decision himself. And if not..." Montagu smiled faintly and continued, "Well, we always have other ways to handle things."
Mr. Reynolds paused for a moment, contemplating Montagu's words. "Alright. Perhaps a party is a suitable idea. We can organize something formal enough to show their worth to both families, but simple enough so neither of them feels pressured."
Montagu smiled with a subtle sense of victory, "That's all I'm asking for, Mr. Reynolds. The first step. I believe this will be the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the two families, and it will be an opportunity for Kyle to show Veronica that he is a man she can rely on."
Mr. Reynolds spoke firmly, "But let's be clear, Mr. Montagu. This is a meeting, nothing more. There will be no promises or official agreements until we see how things unfold."
Montagu, with a friendly smile, remarked, "Of course, I completely understand. I leave it to you to make the appropriate decisions at the right time. Just let me say, I am certain that everything will proceed in the right direction."
Mr. Montagu rose from his seat, looking pleased, while Mr. Reynolds stood slowly, maintaining his dignity. They exchanged formal greetings, and Montagu left the room, leaving behind an atmosphere of anticipation and deep thought.
But Mr. Reynolds thought internally, "A party, a meeting, fine. But after the party, everything will change. I will ensure that Kyle understands the importance of this alliance, and I will make him agree to the engagement, no matter his desire. I cannot allow Lawrenceon and MacFarlane to gain control. Power must remain in our hands."
Mr. Reynolds slowly returned to his office, his eyes reflecting an unwavering determination. This party was a small step, but it would be a turning point in the power game in the capital.
Meanwhile, in Kyle's private suite, Kyle was sitting on top of the closed toilet seat, holding Adele's phone, using it to message in the group chat "Children of the Sky" with Joshua and Melissa. The sound of running water came from behind the bathroom curtain, where Adele was forced to take a shower because of Kyle, to mislead Liam, as he put it.
-
Thomas Hiddleston's Son: "My dad took my phone and laptop 😤, so I'm here messaging from Adele's phone... I don't know what's going on, but things seem to be getting worse!"
Pet Cat: "Oh my God, Kyle! What happened? 🤔 Tell us everything! How have you been? Did anything happen after you left high school?"
Uncle Josh: "Guys? Our team is playing against Ferguson next week, did I tell you that? It's going to be a huge match, I think we'll win easily 💪⚽."
Pet Cat: "Josh, this is not the time to talk about soccer 😑. Kyle is in a tough spot, we should be here to support him."
Thomas Hiddleston's Son: "Don't worry, Melissa, Josh always gets sidetracked 🤦♂️. Anyway, my dad got me this annoying bodyguard named Liam... it's like I can't live my life alone! 🤯"
Pet Cat: "A bodyguard?! That must be so annoying 😳. Is he really serious about it?"
Thomas Hiddleston's Son: "Of course! 😒 and the big problem is, I got permission from the principal to leave, but my dad is angry that I didn't get his permission! It's like I can't breathe without his approval... 😤"
Uncle Josh: "Oh, that sounds exhausting... but at least the bodyguard might be useful sometimes, right?"
Thomas Hiddleston's Son: "I don't need a bodyguard, what I need is a little peace... but apparently, I don't have that right anymore 😡."
Pet Cat: "Kyle, don't let these things get to you. You're strong, and we're here to support you. We know how exhausting it is to always be under surveillance, but don't give up, everything will change soon ✨💪."
Thomas Hiddleston's Son: "Thanks for the support, Melissa, but I think I'll need more than emotional support to deal with my dad and my personal bodyguard... 😅"
Uncle Josh: "Exactly! But should we try a new workout at school? We need to get ready for Ferguson..."
Thomas Hiddleston's Son: "Well, looks like I'll be busy with my own problems before I can focus on any game 🥴."
Pet Cat: "Everything will be okay, Kyle. We'll always be here for you. Just try to stay calm."
-
Kyle smiled with a tense expression on his face as he continued typing his messages, but despite everything he was going through, he felt that having his friends by his side eased the weight of the situation a little.
After some time, Adele finished her shower and got dressed. At the same time, Kyle, who was wearing the new clothes Adele had brought for him, stood in front of the mirror.
Adele helped Kyle put on the new shirt, carefully fastening the buttons, then noticed the waist shaper Kyle was wearing to flatten his chest, a sign that Kyle wasn't really "him," but "her." She frowned, "You know this won't last forever, right?"
Kyle looked at himself in the mirror for a moment and then took a deep breath. "I know. But it's better than them discovering the truth..." Adele continued helping Kyle put on the black jacket, "Are you planning to create another problem? It seems like things are escalating more than necessary."
Kyle turned to her with a faint smile, then took the phone and handed it back to her. "I don't think I need more problems right now. But, I'll probably have to face a lot of them soon."
Adele looked at him with understanding eyes, then smiled gently, "If you need help, you know I'm always here. I won't let you go through everything alone..."
Kyle smiled with eyes filled with sadness and fear. "Thank you, Adele. All I need is a little time to sort my thoughts."
After a few moments of silence, they both left the bathroom together. Kyle headed toward the door while Adele quietly followed him. When he opened the door, they found Liam waiting in the bedroom, standing there with his eyes fixed on them, looking sharply without saying a word, waiting for someone to speak. "Are you done with your 'break'?"
Kyle sighed deeply, then avoided him with a sarcastic smile. "Yes, we're done. Is there anything else?"
Adele frowned and looked at Liam with steady eyes before smiling gently at Kyle, trying to defuse any tension. "Maybe you should start your lessons, young master."
Later, in Kyle's study room, Kyle sat at his desk, his face confused and complicated as he stared at the math paper in front of him. His hands wrote slowly, complaining about the endless complexities. "These equations... Why do they have to be so complicated? I just want to finish this homework as quickly as possible."
On the other side of the room, Adele was organizing some books on the shelves. Her steps were quiet, but she couldn't hide the way her gaze followed Kyle from time to time. After finishing, she approached Kyle and placed her hand over his hand that was holding the pen, gently caressing his hand. "I'll be back shortly when dinner's ready, young master."
Kyle tried to say something at first, but instead, he sighed and spoke with a hesitant tone, "I don't think I have an appetite right now, Adele... today was exhausting."
But Adele silenced him with a firm tone, her eyes filled with seriousness. "You skipped lunch, young master. You need to have dinner at the very least. It's not proper to let yourself go hungry like this."
Kyle muttered under his breath, "Alright, alright, I'll eat... just let me focus on this assignment for now. Otherwise, I might end up committing a felony soon."
Adele smiled gently, then turned to leave the room, speaking to him one last time before exiting, "Don't forget, I'll be close by if you need anything."
After she left, the room remained quiet for a while. Kyle stayed at his desk, staring at the math papers with an expression of frustration. But in the far corner, Liam stood near the door, watching Kyle, lost in deep thought.
A strange bond between them... what's really going on here? There doesn't seem to be any clear explanation for how Kyle interacts with Adele—or even how he behaves.
The soft knock on the door caught Kyle's attention. Pearce entered the room quietly, wearing an expression that carried a hint of satisfaction when he saw Kyle working on his homework.
Pearce finally spoke with a faint smile, shaking his head with approval. "I see the young master is working hard... that's rare coming from you, isn't it?"
Kyle groaned, raising an eyebrow as he glared at Pearce. Math was already enough of a headache; he didn't need more distractions. "Don't waste my time, Pearce. What do you want now?"
Pearce responded with a polite tone, "The master, as you know, will be attending the birthday celebration of Dimitri, the young master of the Montague family, tomorrow. You are expected to attend as well, of course."
Kyle spoke with clear anger, gripping his pencil tightly in his hand. "And you expect me to go there while this... annoying person—" He gestured toward Liam, who was watching them from the corner with a provoking smile, "—follows me around the entire time?"
Pearce smirked with his usual sarcasm, his expression unchanging. "Of course. Social events and holidays are perfect opportunities for you to learn, aren't they? And Liam, as you know, is just a loyal bodyguard." He chuckled softly, provoking Kyle further. "I can't guarantee he'll keep his distance."
Kyle snapped back, his voice dripping with anger and sarcasm as he tried to restrain himself. "What a delightful party it will be, with Liam stalking me in every corner."
Liam stepped forward slightly, trying to take control of the situation before Pearce pushed it further. He looked at Kyle and spoke, "That's enough, young master. There's no point in this verbal sparring. You are required to attend the event."
Pearce smiled with satisfaction as he observed the interaction between Liam and Kyle. It seemed that this Liam was someone reliable...
He gave a slight bow to Kyle, his tone dripping with false respect. "Of course, young master. I look forward to seeing you attend the event. I do hope you enjoy yourself... within certain boundaries, naturally."
With a faint smile, Pearce exited the room, leaving Liam still standing in place, eyes firmly fixed on Kyle, continuing his silent watch.