Chapter 101 Lucien’s Clever Ruse
“It was fine,” Kaia replied, her tone flat, offering nothing more.
If it wasn’t about the work, could it be Alden stirring up trouble again?
Lucien’s eyes flickered with a mix of curiosity and protectiveness.
He decided to cut to the chase. “So why the long face today?”
Kaia froze, caught off guard. He'd noticed?
“Did someone mess with you?” Lucien pressed, his voice softening with concern.
Kaia shook her head, her gaze dropping, a quiet sadness settling in her eyes.
“No, it’s not that. | was at my grandmother's memorial today. Sorry if my mood’s been off.”
Lucien’s chest tightened.
He'd miscalculated, thinking, the memorial was tomorrow, Guilt gnawed at him for the oversight.
“I'm so sorry,” he said quickly, his voice low and sincere.
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Chapter 101 Lucien’s Clever Ruse
Kaia looked up, surprised by his apology.
“Lucien, it’s okay. You don’t need to apologize.”
+7 Bonus
It had been over a month since Claire's passing, but the grief still caught Kaia off guard sometimes, a sharp pang
that lingered.
And the thought of those responsible for her grandmother's pain still walking free twisted the knife deeper.
Lucien reached out, his fingers beckoning gently. “Chere.”
Kaia hesitated, confused, but her body moved before her mind could catch up, inching closer to him.
In one smooth motion, Lucien slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace. His other hand
found the back of her head, patting it gently.
“Don’t be sad,” he murmured. “I've got you. Let it out.”
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Kaia’s nose stung, a sudden wave of emotion catching her off guard.
Her grandmother used to hold her just like this, stroking her hair with the stender care.
“I'm fine,” she said, her voice catching, betraying her. “I just... |
miss her sometimes.”
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Chapter 101 Lucien’s Clever Ruse
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Lucien’s hand moved slowly, smoothing her hair with a steady, comforting rhythm.
“I know,” he whispered. “I understand.”
In that moment, he made a silent vow-he’d protect her, just as fiercely as her grandmother had.
“I'm here for you now,” he said softly, his voice a quiet promise.
Kaia lingered in his arms, but a flicker of self-consciousness crept in. She'd let her guard down too much.
Pulling back, she mumbled, “Sorry, Lucien, | got your pajamas all messy.”
Lucien glanced down at himself, noting the faint dampness from
her tears.
Kaia looked at him and frowned. The man who'd looked half-dead moments ago now had a healthy flush to his
cheeks, his eyes bright and alert. Even his forehead felt cool to the touch.
He caught her staring and quickly said, “It’s not that bad—just a few tears, Maybe a little snot.”
Kaia’s jaw dropped, her cheeks flushing with indignation. “Snot? Excuse me, there's no snot!”
Is he seriously trying to embarrass her?
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Chapter 101 Lucien’s Clever Ruse
+7 Bonus
“Alright, alright, no snot then,” Lucien said with a teasing grin, shrugging off his pajama top and holding it out to
her.
“Mind tossing this in the laundry room on the third floor for
me?”
As he peeled off the shirt, his chiseled chest and sculpted abs cinto view, the lines of his body sharp and
striking in the soft light.
Kaia’s breath hitched, her face warming at the unexpected sight. She hadn’t pegged him for someone with that
kind of physique.
“What's wrong? Too stunned to
move?” Lucien teased, his ¥olsem
dripping jhmischiet as he tugged
the blanket a little lower, revealing
more of his toned frame. The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Kaia spun around, her cheeks
burning. “Just randy pyFrCatel]
ulerad ©adHmy ack blindly. “I'l
take it to the laundry.” The content is
on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Lucien’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he passed her the shirt. “Thanks, you're a lifesaver.”
Kaia grabbed it and bolted up to the third floor, her heart racing.
The image of his bare torso lingered in her mind, throwing her thoughts into chaos
Halfway up the stairs, she paused. Something wasn’t adding up.
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Chapter 101 Lucien’s Clever Ruse
Who just casually strips like that in the middle of a conversation?
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And for someone supposedly burning with fever, he looked awfully spry.
There must be something wrong!
Back in the bedroom, Lucien lounged on the bed, the blanket strategically pulled down just enough to show off
his abs.
He smirked, clearly pleased with himself.
When Kaia returned, she narrowed her eyes. “Lucien, aren't you
cold?”
He let out a tic cough,
clutching his chest. repsAsii
you 9raR(TS another det of pajamas
flor ‘the closet? I'm feeling a bit
chilly.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Kaia’s expression hardened. She stepped closer, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead again.
Her voice was cool, her gaze piercing, “You're not hot anymore.”
She leaned in, her eyes locking onto his, “Lucien, you were never running a fever, were you?”
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