Chapter 165

I didn’t need to question a single word Lewis said.

“Yes,” I answered immediately.

We got into the car and took a different route, avoiding the main roads. Lewis didn’t want us crossing paths with Monica, and neither did I.

My excitement buzzed under my skin. My hands trembled as I buckled my seatbelt.

“Alright,” I said, unable to hold back anymore. “Tell me everything. She really has a secret partner p>

For the first time in my life, I understood why people loved gossip. I leaned closer, practically vibrating with curiosity.

Lewis glanced at me and smiled faintly. He reached out and tapped my nose.

“You’re eager,” he said.

“You don’t understand,” I shot back. “This is instinct. Now talk p>

He shook his head, amused.

“After I realized who you really were, I had people look into the Gardner family. Monica included p>

“And?” I pressed.

“I found something interesting p>

I leaned forward. “Who is he p>

Lewis spoke calmly, like he was discussing the weather.

“Everyone has someone they want but can’t claim. Monica is no different. She fell for a man years ago. She even danced at a nightclub for him p>

I covered my face, stunned.

That woman? Falling in love?

To me, Monica had always looked manufactured. Calculated. Someone who used charm like a blade. Love didn’t suit her image at all.

“He’s her neighbor,” Lewis continued. “They grew up together. Back then, her family struggled. She went to the club to support him… and to look for someone who could lift her out of poverty p>

“So that’s when she met Grant,” I said slowly.

“Exactly,” Lewis replied. “At first, Grant only wanted company. But Monica didn’t let go. She laid her trap, tied herself to him, and once she had a child, she secured her place p>

My fingers curled slightly. “Does she still see the other man p>

Lewis smiled. “Of course. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be a secret p>

He glanced at the road.

“When your parents were distant, Monica took money from Grant and helped her lover start a company. He’s not at the top of the food chain, but he’s comfortable. Public company. Enough power to be useful p>

“That sounds familiar,” I muttered.

“It’s not the same,” Lewis said. “Some men build themselves honestly. This one climbed by using women. After his company stabilized, he bonded with a woman from a steel family. That alliance pushed him higher p>

“How many children?” I asked.

“Five,” Lewis said flatly. “But he never cut Monica off. He keeps her close because she connects him to the Gardners. If Monica and Lincy fall, he’ll step in p>

A dangerous thought slid into my mind.

“Do you think Lincy is really Grant’s?” I asked quietly. “What if she’s the other man’s child p>

Lincy never resembled Grant much. I’d always brushed it aside, just like no one questioned why I looked more like my mother.

But with Monica’s past p>

Lewis stayed cautious. “We can’t be sure. A test would tell us p>

The idea thrilled me more than it should have.

Grant had protected Lincy for years. If she wasn’t his by blood or bond, the fallout would be explosive.

Lewis glanced at me. “If we confirm it… will you tell him p>

“Not immediately,” I said. “Truth is strongest when it’s timed right p>

I smiled faintly.

“After everything he put my mom through, after letting a false heir stand in her place, I won’t give him clarity for free p>

Lewis nodded. “Then what’s next p>

“Monica and Lincy won’t stay quiet,” I said. “They’ll make another move. Grant’s already worried about them p>

I looked out the window, city lights sliding past like watchful eyes.

“I’ll let Monica lose control. I’ll push her until Grant can’t ignore it anymore p>

“And your goal?” Lewis asked softly.

“To break the bond,” I answered. “To make him let my mother go p>

The car hummed quietly as we drove on.

“After that,” I said quietly, heat rising in my chest, “I’ll drop the truth he’s been hiding from. Does he really think he can keep everything p>

My hands curled into fists.

“People like him believe there’s no price for taking too much. They trample anyone softer beneath them. I’ll show them what it feels like to fall p>

Lewis’s arm slipped around my waist, steady and warm. His voice was low, certain.

“I’m with you. Always p>

I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. “Thank you, Lewis p>

The car slowed.

Through the window, I saw Monica step out of a taxi. She limped slightly, her shoulders tense, eyes darting like she was afraid of being seen.

About ten minutes later, a man emerged from the terminal.

I frowned.

I had expected someone powerful. Someone refined. At least someone who looked worthy of all the chaos she’d caused.

Instead, he was ordinary. Soft around the middle. Well-dressed, but nothing special. Without the expensive coat, he could’ve blended into any crowd.

Monica, on the other hand, still looked polished. Carefully maintained. She looked better than him.

The moment she saw him, she hurried over.

He didn’t smile.

If anything, there was impatience in his eyes.

I raised my phone just as she leaned in and kissed him.

Click.

He pulled back quickly, glancing around, then guided her toward a black car. Before the door closed, she climbed onto his lap, clinging to him like she had something to prove.

The door shut.

I lowered my phone, my mouth twisting.

“That’s it?” I muttered. “That’s the man she risked everything for p>

Still, the pictures were clear.

“If Grant knew he lost Mom because of this woman,” I said slowly, “how deep do you think the regret would cut p>

I paused, then added, “Too bad it was just a kiss p>

Lewis glanced at me. “The hotel he’s staying at belongs to my network. If you want more proof, I can arrange it p>

My eyes widened. “Lewis… you’re unreal p>

Then reason crept in.

“No,” I sighed. “It’s your territory. If this ever leaked, it would stain you p>

He tapped my forehead lightly. “You worry too much. I won’t let anything touch us p>

“It still feels wrong,” I said.

“In our world,” he replied calmly, “information is power. And power decides outcomes p>

I studied his face.

Then smiled. “Alright. Then I’ll prepare the perfect separation gift for Grant p>

I thought of my mother. Of years lost. Of promises never kept.

Some regrets should last a lifetime.

Lewis didn’t waste time.

We went to his private suite. Screens flickered on one by one, showing clean angles, careful framing. No noise. No drama. Just truth.

“I’ll have it edited,” he said evenly. “He’ll understand everything when the time comes p>

I stepped close and kissed him, my arm sliding around his neck.

“You’re dangerous,” I whispered.

He stiffened slightly, like he wanted to say something.

So I kissed him again, cutting him off with a smile.

“But I like it p>

And in his arms, with the city glowing beneath us, I knew

This time, I wasn’t the one being hunted.