Chapter 4 Lucien Graves +2 Bonus Sally flashed a faint smile and said , " Alden , Kaia's just kidding . " Luna stepped forward , all grace in her white dress , hair cascading over her shoulders . " Kaia , " she said gently , " are you still upset with Alden over what happened the other day ? " Kimberly rolled her eyes . " Seriously , Kaia ? You've got some nerve being mad at Alden . " But Alden wasn't paying attention to any of this . He lowered his eyes , his deep gaze filled with a hint of inquiry . " What did you just say you're over with ? " he repeated . Kaia let out a scornful laugh . " Oh, are you going deaf now ? I said I'm over with you . " Sally raised an eyebrow . Well , color me surprised , Kaia . Alden was seething . He grabbed her and pulled her into his embrace . 1/10 16:51 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves " You think you can just break up with me like that ? " He leaned in close , voice low and cold . B +2 Bonus " Cut the crap . It's Grandpa's birthday banquet . Let's go pay our respects to him . " With that , he wrapped an arm around her , steering past Luna toward Allen's table . Kimberly stamped her foot as she watched their affectionate figures walking away . " Luna , is your brother out of his mind ? " Luna gave her a slow , unreadable smile . " Why ? Got a crush on him too ? " Kimberly blinked , caught off guard . " W - what ? No ! " she said quickly , eyes darting . " He's … my sister's fiancé . " But the way she said it - like the words tasted bitter - gave her away . Luna's expression turned icy . She averted her gaze from her best friend and stared straight ahead . 2/10 16:51 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves " Come on , " she said flatly . " Let's go say hi to Grandpa . " Five years . Time to take back what's mine . *** +2 Bonus Kaia didn't put up a fight anymore . After all , she was here for a paid gig , and she had to play her part alongside Alden . " Sir Graves , this is a little something for you . I wish you a long and happy life , " Kaia said with a smile . Allen took the gift with a beaming smile . " Kaia , you really didn't have to spend money on this . When are you and Alden going to get your marriage license for the wedding next month ? " Everyone present knew this was Allen's way of showing how pleased he was with Kaia as Alden's future wife . Alden's eyelids twitched . He was worried that the reluctant woman would blurt out something outrageous again . So he quickly replied , " Grandpa , we'll do it in a few days . " Allen shot his grandson a warning look . " Which day, exactly ? " Alden tightened his lips before saying , " I'm flying out to San 3/10 16:51 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves Diego for a business trip tomorrow and getting back the day after . We'll head to get the license as soon as I'm home . " Kaia didn't buy it . The day after ? Well , whoever wants to go can just go ! +2 Bonus At the mention of the specific time , Allen's expression softened a bit . " Take a seat , Kaia . Busy day - sorry I can't be a better host . " Kaia flashed a sweet smile . She didn't want to let this kind - hearted old man down . " Don't worry about me . Just focus on your big day . " Alden casually gestured towards a table . " You and your mom can sit over here . " Then , spotting Luna chatting with Allen , he hurried over . " Humph , Kaia , see ? Luna is definitely the apple of Alden's eye , " Kimberly sneered . Kaia didn't even bother to glance at her stupid and malicious stepsister . 4/10 16:52 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves B +2 Bonus Instead , she turned to her stepmother with a mischievous smile . " So , when are you giving her a brother ? Dad's always been dying to have a boy . " Kimberly was fuming . " Kaia , what the hell are you talking about ? " Kaia said with a knowing smile , " What ? The way you drool over Alden , I thought you wanted a brother . Maybe Sally can help ? " Sally's smile froze . " Kaia , you're such a kidder . " Damn brat . She's mocking me for not being able to have a son . " Excuse me , Ms. Domont . Sir Graves would like you at the main table , " a voice interrupted . Kaia was briefly taken aback , then she stood up and smiled . " Okay , thanks . " As she walked off , Kimberly's face twisted with envy . " Mom , she's outrageous ! " Sally gave her daughter a sharp look . " Come on , cool it . Don't forget why we're here today . " Kimberly took a deep breath , and her restless nerves suddenly settled . 5/10 16:52 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves Right , I'm not here to start a fight with Kaia . *** +2 Bonus " Did you hear ? Mr. Lucien Graves is coming later . " " Lucien ? He's back in the States ? " " Yeah . Overseas business is solid now . Makes sense he'd return . " Everyone knew the truth - Allen's youngest son was the real power behind the Graves empire , though he kept to the shadows . " Still single , too . All the socialites in New York are gonna be fighting tooth and nail for his attention . " *** X " Kaia , sit next to Alden , " Allen said . " That boy's clueless . Of course , his fiancée should be with the family . " Zane and Joanne , Alden's parents , both smiled . " Yes , Kaia , " Joanne added warmly . " I've been looking forward to your wedding . " Then , she turned to Luna . 6/10 16:52 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves +2 Bonus " Luna , since you've been abroad for five years , you might not be in the loop . Meet Kaia Domont , Alden's fiancée . You knew each other , right ? " Luna's smile faltered for an instant . " Yeah , Kaia was my senior in high school . " Noticing Luna's unease , Alden quickly peeled a shrimp and dropped it onto her plate . " Here , Luna . Your favorite , " he said gently . Allen narrowed his eyes , just a flicker , but didn't say a word in front of the crowd . " Kaia , " he said instead , " tell Alden to peel one for you too . " Just as Alden had peeled a second shrimp and was about to put it onto Kaia's plate , she spoke up nonchalantly . " No thanks . I'm allergic to seafood , so shrimp's off the menu for me . " Then she met his gaze , her voice laced with meaning . " Thanks , though . You can give it to Luna . " Allen let out a soft chuckle and shot his grandson a quick , reproachful look . 7/10 16:52 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves " Lucien's stuck in traffic . He told us not to wait up for him . " " Is Uncle Lucien staying this time ? " Alden asked . At Graves Group , Zane handled local ops while Lucien ran international . People often said Allen had two outstanding sons . But some secretly hoped to see a rift between them . +2 Bonus Too bad for those folks - Allen had already planned everything . Zane , the elder son , was practical and conservative , perfect for maintaining the family business . Lucien , the younger one , was sharp and decisive . Allen's top choice to be the heir . The group's top spot in NY ? All Lucien's smart moves . Five years ago , Allen stepped down and handed Lucien the reins . But true to his low - key style , Lucien left the local affairs to others and focused on going global . " What ? " Allen smirked . " Afraid he'll start bossing you around ? " Lucien was 33 years old . Despite his youth , he was incredibly strict . 8/10 16:52 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves +2 Bonus Once , when Alden was a minor , he'd secretly taken the family car out for a joyride with Luna , and Lucien had almost sent him to the detention center . As a result , Alden had been a bit in awe of him since childhood . Alden scratched his head sheepishly . " Of course not . " He forced a smile , but when he caught Kaia's frosty look , his temper flared up . He leaned over and hissed angrily in her ear , " What are you smiling at ? " Kaia speared a piece of fish with her fork and popped it into her mouth . " Oh , nothing . I just find you a real hoot , " she quipped , a hint of mockery in her tone . Just then , a deep , resonant voice boomed from behind them . " What's the big laugh ? Come on , let's all get in on the joke . " Kaia's heart did a little somersault in her chest . A towering figure emerged , commanding attention with each stride . 9/10 16:52 Chapter 4 Lucien Graves +2 Bonus Dressed to the nines in a sleek dark - gray suit , he sported a crisp black shirt buttoned up to the collar His eyes were like deep pools , sharp and intense , while his brows were slightly knitted , masking the emotions churning beneath . " Sorry , I'm running late , Dad . " It was Lucien Graves . 8 Write your comment Gifts