Chapter 17 - Secrets Unveiled over Tea
The sunlit conservatory of the estate echoed with uproarious laughter as Mave recounted the whirlwind events of the past year to a completely spellbound Khloe. Sitting across from them, Rowan quietly walked in, holding a tray of freshly brewed tea, his expression carrying a rare, polite amusement.
Khloe stared at Rowan with wide, saucer-like eyes, choking slightly on her cucumber sandwich. "So... wait. Let me get this straight. You walked up to Rowan Mercer, the most feared billionaire shadow boss in the country, kissed him on a dare, and instead of having you executed, he fell hopelessly in love and built you a fortress?"
"That is a very condensed and dramatic summary, yes," Rowan said dryly with a faint smirk, pouring a cup of tea for Khloe.
Khloe’s cheeks turned bright pink. "Mr. Mercer! I—I swear back at the pub I didn't know who you were, I just wanted to get Mave out of her shell, please don't have me thrown into a concrete box—"
Rowan let out a rich, deep laugh—the kind only reserved for family—and shook his head. "Relax, Khloe. If it weren't for your ridiculous fifty-dollar dare, I might never have met the only person who had the courage to look past the monster and see a human being. In a strange way, I owe you a debt of gratitude."
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Khloe blinked, utterly stunned, before breaking into a wide, triumphant grin. "Does this mean I get free gourmet meals whenever I visit?"
"For the rest of your life," Mave laughed, raising her teacup in a toast to the wonderful, crazy twists of fate that had brought them all together.
