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“Of course, you can rest. There’s just one thing left, and it’ll be over soon.”
“What again?” I asked sourly. His cheerful voice was annoying.
“You know, I introduce you as my heir today. The entire planet is curious about you, and…”
“Don’t you dare.”
I cut off him angrily as we approached the glass doors. I was adamant about never appearing in the media. At least until I properly introduced myself to Mina, I would avoid the cameras. I did. Even in Bernovas’ massive funeral. I had made this perfectly clear, even accepted the inheritance on that condition. This conference was also a secret event attended only by presidents and ambassadors. So I wasn’t worried, but…
“Just know this, son, it’s already out of my hands.”
“What?”
The moment we stepped out into the cool night air, I muttered under my breath. I tried to keep my composure as the cameras began flashing. It’s fine. It’s fine. Even if they got footage, we can have it erased later. We always did.
Sebastian kept shouting back at the reporters instead of letting me talk. I shielded my face with my hands against the flashes. As every camera lens pivoted toward me, I stared dead ahead, jaw clenched. Endure a bit longer.
After posing briefly, Sebastian guided me toward the car. By the time we’d pushed through the crowd and ducked inside, my brows were knitted together.
“Quickly, call whoever you need. Make them blur those images.”
But Sebastian didn’t respond.
“I’m talking to you! Get it deleted before it’s too late.”
“It’s already too late. It was live. You’re on every channel.”
He checked the rearview mirror. A vein throbbed on my forehead.
“I think I misheard you.”
“Son, this…”
“Did you drag me there on purpose?” I whispered in disbelief. My metal arm unfolded with a hiss.
“Easy, boy. I’ll take care of it. Just calm down.”
I drew a deep breath. But no, I couldn’t calm down. “I’m going to kill you if she saw it.”
“I said calm down-”
“How the fuck can I calm down?”
My eyes dropped to my wristband. Mina was already on her way home, but her biometric feed was unusual. Her heartbeat was racing far too fast.
I slammed my fist against the dashboard, my trembling hands clawing at my roots. No. This couldn’t be happening.
“Drive home. Quickly.”
“Ray…”
“Drive home, Sebastian. I won’t repeat it.”
He didn’t resist this time. As the car sped up, I continued to follow her on my wristband. Now her steps slowed too. No… Please don’t let her have seen. I would do anything for that. Not now. Not when everything was going well, when I had completely conquered her tower and made her dependent on me. She finally needed me, not now…
No, no, no…
When the house came into view, the car stopped, and I quickly got out. Mina hadn’t arrived yet. My foot began to shake nervously. Seeing another set of headlights crawling up behind us, my foot froze.
