novelraw Chapter 110 - 108: Kill Him
Chapter 110 - 108: Kill Him
’The female lead dies a violent death at her twentieth birthday party...’
The system’s words still echoed in her ears.
Someone gave the back of her hand a firm poke. Mia Grant snatched it back, her eyes flying wide.
Yates Donovan’s hand froze in mid-air, surprise flashing in his eyes.
’He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from her.’
He quickly recomposed himself. "I called your name a few times, but you didn’t hear me. Did I scare you?"
Mia Grant blinked. "I’m sorry..."
Yates Donovan froze for a second, then broke into a smile. "So formal all of a sudden? Got a guilty conscience?"
Mia had apologized for snatching her hand away.
It wasn’t that she was repulsed; she had simply been lost in thought, and his sudden touch had startled her.
Taking a deep breath, she shook her head. "I was just thinking about your dream."
"Don’t worry, it couldn’t have been you," Yates Donovan said, leaning back in his seat, his tone certain.
Mia Grant didn’t understand.
Her expression was lost and confused, her eyes practically bursting with curiosity.
Meeting her gaze, Yates Donovan paused for a beat before clearing his throat and answering, "I mean, even if the dream were real, you definitely wouldn’t be the one whose throat I slit."
"I know."
Yates Donovan hadn’t expected her to nod so readily. "You know that, too?"
Mia Grant nodded again.
"..." Yates Donovan said no more, silently turning his head to the window.
Mia Grant glanced over and saw his tormented expression reflected in the car window.
’He seemed to be wrestling with something deeply troubling.’
Mia Grant couldn’t be bothered to guess what it was, so she pretended not to notice. She turned to look out her own window and sank into quiet contemplation.
’Assuming the dream eventually becomes reality, then at the end of the original book, Serena Grant must have died at Yates Donovan’s hands.’
’And the male lead who also died a sudden death... that would be Silas Grant.’
’Or could it be that Silas Grant also died by Yates Donovan’s hand?’
’Because Yates Donovan is the only one who has awakened his self-awareness.’
’But from the looks of it, there’s no deep-seated hatred between Yates Donovan and Silas Grant.’
’Even though their friendship is superficial, it’s definitely better than whatever he has with Kian Keller.’
’If it really was Yates, he should have gone after Kian Keller first.’
’Silas Grant shouldn’t have been the one to die...’
Mia Grant tapped the back of her head. ’Come on, brain, think!’
—
Yates Donovan owned property in Portia. It was safer than staying in a hotel, so Mia Grant didn’t object.
Yates Donovan leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, watching Mia Grant pick out pajamas in the walk-in closet.
"Are you sure you don’t want to sleep with me tonight?"
"...For a grown man, you sure have a crude way of speaking," Mia Grant retorted, rolling her eyes.
Yates Donovan shrugged. "What’s the problem?"
Mia Grant couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.
"You’re right across the hall. It’s not far. If something happens, I’ll come find you."
"I’m just worried you won’t have time. What if an assassin climbs through your window in the middle of the night..."
The corner of Mia Grant’s mouth twitched. "Are your bodyguards just for decoration?"
"This is the Hughes family’s turf, after all. They have strength in numbers; they’ll eventually find an opening," Yates Donovan said, renewing his invitation. "So, why not just sleep with me?"
"At least if someone tries to stab you in the middle of the night, I can kick you out of bed in time to spare you a wound or two."
"...Wow, thanks."
She shooed him out. Yates Donovan lingered, reluctant to leave. "Really not coming? It’s not like we haven’t slept together before. You were way cuter this afternoon when you were snuggling into my arms."
Mia Grant pointed to the room across the hall. "Go on, get out. Don’t make me yell at you."
"Fine, fine. Sweet dreams."
Unfortunately, Mia Grant was sleepless until three in the morning.
When she was woken up in the morning, she still felt dazed.
She managed to pull herself together, had a quick bite to eat, and left with Yates Donovan.
She fell asleep as soon as she got in the car. Yates Donovan had been about to tease her, but seeing her like this, he said nothing and silently draped a blanket over her.
When they arrived at their destination, Yates Donovan handed Mia a face mask. "You’re going to pretend to be my secretary. When we get inside, don’t wander off. Stick close to me and don’t talk to anyone."
Mia Grant nodded. "Understood, Mr. Donovan."
She had put on heavy makeup, tied her hair up, and changed into professional attire before leaving. Anyone who didn’t know her well wouldn’t be able to recognize her.
She slipped into the role quickly, following him with the utmost deference, which he found incredibly amusing.
When they were alone in the elevator, he leaned closer to her. "What are your plans for the future?"
Mia Grant looked up at him, her expression questioning.
"I’m asking what you want to do after you graduate. Why not come work for me? You could be my actual secretary."
"You seem to be a natural at it."
Mia Grant refused without a second thought.
"You can name your own salary."
"No."
"Hey, I thought your eyes usually lit up at the sight of money."
"What do you want to do, then? Go work for Silas Grant? Or for the Keller Group?"
Mia Grant couldn’t help but snap at him, "It’s not like I’ll die if I’m not working for one of you."
"Besides, what makes you so sure I’m going to stick around?"
Yates Donovan’s brow twitched in surprise. "You’re planning to go abroad?"
Mia Grant forced a smile, then pulled her mask back into place. "Wrong," she said flatly. "I’m planning to join a convent."
Yates Donovan: "..."
After they got out of the elevator, Mia Grant followed in Yates Donovan’s footsteps.
They entered the main hall and found their seats. She surreptitiously scanned the room, but everyone was a stranger.
"Is your second uncle going to be here soon?"
"Probably."
"What do you mean, ’probably’?"
"Well, if he doesn’t die on the way here, then yes, he’ll be here."
"I’m being serious," Mia Grant said, glaring at him.
"Neither am I."
"If your brother doesn’t make a move, he’ll be able to come. If he does... then who knows."
"My brother? You mean Silas Grant? Why would he go after your sec..." Before she could finish, Mia Grant suddenly remembered what had happened before.
Yates Donovan couldn’t help but grin. "Remember now?"
"But isn’t that over and done with?"
"Silas Grant holds a grudge. Just wait. After he’s done dealing with my second uncle, I’ll be next."
"Such a petty man. You should stay away from people like that. Look at me—I’m so open and honorable."
"..."
The bidding soon began. Unexpectedly, neither Silas Grant nor Yates Donovan’s second uncle was in attendance.
Mia Grant’s heart tightened.
Yates Donovan told her to calm down. "He’s not going to die."
"See that man in the front row? He’s one of Silas Grant’s people. When Silas first took over the company, that man was the one who defied everyone to stand by his side."
"Later, find a chance to talk to him."
"Is that reliable?"
"Do you have a better idea?"
Yates Donovan forced her to face reality. "Silas Grant didn’t show up for an event this important. That can only mean one thing: the old gentleman has restricted his freedom."
"I can find a way for you two to get in touch, but it won’t be easy to get him out of his current predicament."
"Besides, the old gentleman is a difficult man to deal with. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and it won’t be the last. You can’t come to his rescue every single time, can you?"
Mia Grant gave a small nod. "So, to solve the problem for good, we have to deal with the root cause."
"Instead of waiting around, we should go on the offensive."
Yates Donovan: "You mean?"
Mia Grant lifted her gaze, her eyes resolute. "Kill him."