"It was a bitter one."
He sighed, "You really should have been the one who followed your father and grandfather to the grave."
I shrugged, "But Riven once again outsmarted you, and instead I became the dark horse."
"You act this way because of your marriage."
He said confidently. I simply looked at him, letting him be as arrogant as he wants. Knowing full well that his arrogance can be my weapon towards him.
"Without needing to ask, I know who you married for the condition of your marriage."
"Oh," I raised an eyebrow.
"Kieran Sinclair, the most eligible one."
He said, but my mind was already somewhere else.
This part of the will made me think a lot.
Why marriage?
Just to give me time?
And only realized the true meaning behind this decision after I read all the files Riven had left behind.
After understanding all the work he did to buy time.
He knew.
He knew that if he placed it in his will, the one I'd marry was none other than Kieran Sinclair.
He knew I would surely find a way to marry the man who stands at the top of the country. And standing side by side, those who stood on top of the world.
Riven had anticipated this from me.
Because if I marry Kieran, no one would be able to manipulate him. Having children could even take years.
This time would be enough for me to use all the information he had gathered to get back to all these people.
And most of all, just as I knew, he knew that Kieran was my key to getting connected with the underworld.
Francis's lips slightly curled up.
He had taken my silence as admitting that he was right. And that I had not anticipated that he would know.
"Indeed, he is the best choice. Not one of us would be able to manipulate him," he continued.
"But do you think he is enough to protect you? When I am pretty sure he'd just watch when things get complicated for you."
I snapped back from my thoughts when I heard his words.
"And?" I asked.
"Lilith," he spoke.
"You are a Kingsley. Even with marriage, you won't become a Sinclair. And the Sinclairs are colder than you think. They'd only watch even if you die."
I started giggling. This geezer is smart, but even up to now, he is still underestimating me.
"Why do you think he married me then?"
"I wonder," he replied, but his tone had an insult in it.
He's obviously implying that I sold Kieran something.
"I'll just tell you then..."
I grinned, "I sold him entertainment."
His brow rose at my word, "That Kieran Sinclair?"
"That Kieran Sinclair," I nodded.
There was confusion in his eyes before a different glint passed. Something I ignored.
"Nevertheless, you may have a barrier now. And you may have some capabilities. But keep in mind, you are just one woman."
He stood up.
"But Mr. Stronghold," I called before he could reach the door.
He looked back.
I kept my smile, though no longer as sweet as it was a while ago.
"Where are the files I asked for you to review and to prove to me why you are a board member?"
His smug look disappeared.
"I hope you can do your work while we are still working together," I continued.
His face slightly darkened.
"Oh, and I guess you already know that I also send return gifts. So if you send me one. Expect that a return gift will come knocking at your door."
He simply turned without saying anything.
"The files, Mr. Stronghold," I repeated when he opened the door.
...
*Slap*
Richard gritted his teeth when his face was harshly turned to the side after receiving a slap from Francis.
"You dare not tell us about the return gifts?"
Francis was actually shocked when he heard that Gary had collapsed because a gift box had come to him last night.
Inside were severed thumbs.
He came today to check on Lilith's condition. He noticed some small scratches on her, but nothing more.
All he could think of was that she had some help.
Because there was no trace of what had happened in that place, he could only speculate on this.
He wouldn't have bothered with this detail of returning gifts if Lilith had not used it to humiliate him a while ago.
"I... did not expect that she'd come out unscathed," Richard replied.
"Even so, you should have told us," Francis continued speaking in a calm tone.
But Richard knew that the calmer Francis was, the more he must fear him. Because Richard wouldn't know just when Francis would strike.
"I'm sorry."
Francis sat on his chair.
"Get me all the information about her while she was abroad. I need to know who she became acquainted with."
"Are you saying that the reason she came out unscathed last night was that someone supported her?" Richard asked, ignoring the stinging pain on his cheek.
"Else what? You expect me to believe she took them down on her own? And coming out barely having any wounds? Or do you think her husband, Kieran Sinclair, would actually step in to help her?" Francis looked at him.
Richard shook his head. Even he wouldn't dare think that Kieran Sinclair would support Lilith.
"She told you about her husband?" he couldn't help but ask.
Francis raised a brow at him, causing him to suddenly feel like he was stupid.
"With some elimination, one would be able to come up with it. She even told me she sold him entertainment," he informed him.
"Entertainment?" Richard furrowed his brows.
"Does Kieran Sinclair..." he trailed off.
"That is crucial information she had just given us. So, in the upcoming year-end gala. You know what to do."
Richard scoffed in his mind.
Lilith had been acting smart all this time. Yet she is just as stupid for giving such information away.
"Now, get all that information before we make another move," Francis commanded.