Chapter 202

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it was as if someone had pressed a mute button air thickened , tension frozen , sitarize to heary it was softoy
Both Aria and Owen turned to look at Fryderyk , an unspoken question fingering in their eye
The quieter it got , the more ominous it felt .
Fryderyk cleared his throat and covered his mouth with a fist , struggling for composure .
“ They probably already know who I am . I shouldn’t show up . Owen’s identity is under the radar , less likely to be compromised , he resined , the logic flawless . “ If you two pretended to be a couple , they’d never buy it .
“ But a secret affair ? That’s believable , especially since you live across the hall . Besides , it’ll be more convincing if Owen acts like the
just couldn’t picture Aria in a real relationship ; the ‘ lover ‘ smokescreen seemed perfect .
Aria , however , found it unnecessary . “ You’re overthinking this . As long as you block their escape routes , it’ll be fine . ”
Fryderyk’s face turned serious . “ I’m a police officer . The safety of the people is my first priority ”
No matter how skilled she was , it was still his job to protect her .
Owen turned to Aria and said , “ I’m going with you . We’ll play it by ear . ”
There was no room for negotiation – Fryderyk wasn’t backing down .
Aria thought it over and gave in . “ Fine . ”
The next day , at the hospital , Daniel held the paternity results in trembling hands , eyes shining with excitement . “ Orlando , you really are my grandson . You’re just a few months younger than Liam , so you’ll be the second in line . I’ll have you and your mother move back into the Cole family home . ”
Orlando glanced at the papers , his face unreadable . “ Daniel , I’m twenty – seven , not a child . I don’t need the Cole family’s protection . I only came back to Huthailia for the test because I wanted to know who my biological father was .
“ Now that he’s gone , that’s enough . I’ll take my mother to Masmubja . We won’t be coming back to the Cole family .”
He was utterly detached , not even a flicker of interest for the Cole Group in his eyes .
Daniel had done his homework – Orlando really was as accomplished as Azalea claimed .
The kid had always been brilliant , earning his own tuition and living expenses , building a company from scratch .
Small as it was , he’d already carved out a place for himself in the market with sheer talent and business acumen .
With time , he could rival the Cole Group .
If Orlando were a stranger , Daniel would keep his guard up .
But this was his flesh and blood , and right now , the Cole Group desperately needed a savior .
“ Orlando , you carry the Cole bloodline . I can’t let you fend for yourself out there . If you come back , you’ll have a seat at the table – same as Liam . I’ll let you compete for the inheritance . Whatever Liam gets , you’ll get , too . ”
But Orlando just said , “ I have my own company . ”
Daniel’s expression tightened . “ That little company of yours can’t compare to the Cole Group . ” He sighed , switching tactics .
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You may not care about yourself , but what about your mother ? What if she can’t adapt to living abroad ? You’re really planning to spend in Masmubia ? ”
Orlando’s cold resolve flickered .
Daniel seized the opening . “ No need to decide now . Just think about it . ”
As he turned , a fleeting glint of mockery flashed through Orlando’s eyes .