Chapter 420
1 nearly laughed in her face. What crocodile tears she was shedding!
Wasn’t she acting like some tough Karen when she was fighting an elderly woman? Now, with the cops about to take her away, she was suddenly playing the role of a desperate, helpless mother.
She was clearly trying to gain Soren’s sympathy. She knew very well that Soren was the one who had caused her family’s downfall. The only hope she had for evading punishment or securing a lighter sentence was to appeal to him.
Unfortunately, Soren was a far more principled man than I was.
“Your people brought this on yourselves. You’d trade other people’s lives just to line your pockets!” Soren shot back, his tone sharp. “I’m glad your family’s falling apart. Just imagine how much more crime and corruption your family would commit if your family kept rising!”
Sally stood there, stunned.
Then, as though the tears had never existed, she burst out in fury. “How dare you speak to me like that, Soren Kenway?! I’m older than you! You should show me respect!”
“Respect is earned, not demanded,” he retorted coldly. “You’ve earned nothing. Be glad nothing worse happened to her grandmother. Otherwise, you would’ve gotten more than just a lecture from me.”
Soren turned to the cops. “Please, teach this woman the lesson she clearly needs.”
I watched the police leave, my lips struggling to hide my smile.
Soren gave me a sly grin. “What?”
“Nothing,” I said, trying to suppress my amusement. “I was just thinking how nice it is to have someone backing me up. I hope I don’t get complacent and start abusing this power!!!
“You won’t,” he said, his tone confident. “If you were the type to do that, I wouldn’t have the chance to meet you.”
It took me a moment to grasp his meaning. He was saying that if I were easily swayed by power, I would’ve been corrupted by the Jones family long ago. I might’ve ended up in jail by now, and there would have been no chance for him to meet me.
“That’s true,” I said, smirking.
Then I sighed. “Now that you’re here… Want to visit my grandmother? Aunt Sarah’s here too.”
n
He looked taken aback. “Now? Meet them?”
“‘No‘ is an option,” I replied quickly, realizing that neither my grandmother nor aunt were mentally prepared. They’d be just as stunned to see him!
They had met him once or twice when I’d gotten into trouble last year, but those had been brief encounters–they hardly counted.
Visiting them at home, though? That was different.
“Who says I’d say no?” Soren answered immediately.
He wasn’t about to let me second–guess my decision. “I’m just surprised you’d suggest it.”
I bit my lip, hesitation creeping in. Maybe I had been too impulsive offering that. For all I knew, we might break up soon enough. Why should I let him meet my family?
1/2
Chapter 420
+25 BONUS
I started to tug him toward his car. “My grandmother was upset by the altercation. She needs rest. Let’s reschedule for another time instead of rushing into this. I’ll go up and keep her company.”
Soren stopped me, pulling me back. “That’s exactly why I need to check on her. Come on.”
He interlaced his fingers with mine as we headed for the lobby.
“Soren, this is too sudden! My family might be startled!”
“I’m not a monster. What’s so scary about me?”
He must have guessed what I was thinking. He wanted to see my grandmother and aunt so they could. acknowledge us, which would provide extra reassurance for our relationship.
I really thought it was a bad idea. I tried to talk him out of it but he only doubled down. Before I knew it, he had pulled me into the elevator.