Chapter 157:

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Kelly’s POV

Because of Mrs. Anderson’s strange plans and Snow’s operation to pair me up with Pierce, I found myself driving silently, while Pierce sat in the passenger seat beside me. At first, I knew he didn’t get his mom’s intentions, but when he noticed it, he immediately sided with her.

“Kelly…”

I glanced at him and realized he was staring at me. I swallowed hard, biting my bottom lip. Suddenly, I wanted to kiss him.

“May I go with you whenever you need to visit your doctor?”

He was talking about my pregnancy, and just thinking about going to a doctor while he was with me made my heart flutter. I’d like that too.

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I smiled. “You don’t need to ask me about that.”

He smiled back. “Thank you. Uhm… Are you really going on vacation this weekend?”

“Why not?” I glanced at him. “It’s time for me to unwind.”

“What about your investigation?”

“I want a day or two away from the problem,” I replied. “Why? You don’t want me to go?”

“What? Of course, I want you to come. It’ll make me very happy.”

I parked the car in front of his company and looked at him. Smiling, I said, “I’m going. Just tell me the time.”

He nodded and smiled. “Snow likes being with mom and dad. She’ll stay with us for a while, right?”

I stared into his eyes. “For as long as she wants to.”

“Thank you, Kelly.”

“It’s your right.”

I blinked several times as I felt my heart skip a beat. It slipped out of my mouth without realizing it. Oh God!

“Uh… She treats you like her father,” I stammered. “So… I think it’s just right to let her spend time with you and your family.”

He stared into my eyes. “You won’t change your mind about me, right?”

I took a deep breath and slowly shook my head. “No…”

He gently held my hands and caressed them. My heart skipped a beat when he kissed the back of my hands and smiled at me. “Thank you for the ride, Kels. See you…”

I watched him get out of my car, my heart racing as I sat there.

I was about to drive off to my company when I noticed a familiar woman in the side mirror, watching my car. It was Lexi, and immediately, anger surged within me. I was ready to get out of the car to confront her, but before I could, she vanished from sight.

I clenched my fists. That woman would never stop until she got what she wanted. I couldn’t believe she would go to such lengths out of desperation. It was obvious she was trying to get pregnant with Pierce’s child, but I wouldn’t allow her to get what she wanted—no matter what it took.

Frustrated, I drove to my company. I wasn’t in the best mood when I attended the meeting, and afterward, my assistant Yara informed me that there was a visitor waiting for me in my office.

When I entered, I was surprised to find Sara Foster sitting there. This was my father’s company, and I hadn’t expected her to show up again.

“To whom do I owe this visit?” I asked, walking towards my swivel chair and sitting down, maintaining a blank expression.

She lifted her chin. “I’ll accept your terms.”

The corner of my lips rose. “Hmm. Are you sure?”

She gritted her teeth. “I want a position in my mother’s company, Kelly.”

I crossed my legs and studied her closely. “I’m expanding the hotel. I want to open a new branch, and I want you to manage it.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

I shook my head slightly. “You don’t want it?”

“Of course, I want it. But why are you trusting me?”

“Simple…” I leaned back in my chair. “I want a big favor, Sara. A big favor in exchange for a high position.”

“What do you want?”

Taking advantage of her desperation may seem underhanded, but I had no other choice. I needed to ensure that Connor and Diane could never lay claim to the Foster family’s property. I would distribute the assets to those who truly deserved them.

“Investigate the incident from a long time ago. The one when my mom was abducted.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “What? That was a long time ago, Kelly! How do you expect me to dig into that part of the past? I was just a kid back then!”

“Yes, but you were involved, Sara. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure no one finds out that you’re investigating.”

She locked eyes with me, clenching her jaw. “You’re using me.”

I smiled. “I’m not. I just want you to bargain with me, Sara. Don’t worry, the new branch will open soon. All you need to do is conduct the investigation, and that’s it.”

“If I fail… will you take the position back?”

“That depends on whether you succeed or not.”

She stood up, glaring at me. “I will do everything to get that position, Kelly. I won’t let you play with me like this.”

“I’m not playing with you, Sara. I want you to help me, and I’m paying you for that.”

She lifted her chin and tightened her grip on her bag. “Give me this month. You’ll get what you want, and once I’m done, you won’t interfere with how I manage the new branch.”

I nodded and smiled. “You have my word, Aunt Sara.”

She stared at me for a few seconds before turning and walking out of my office. I sighed deeply and massaged my forehead. Turning on my computer, I was about to start working when the door swung open again.

“Where’s your friend?”

My forehead creased as I looked up and saw Matt, looking at me with an annoyed expression.

“What?”

“Your friend, Kelly. I need to talk to her.”

I tilted my head and raised an eyebrow. “She’s not always home.”

He clenched his jaw. “Are you living with her?”

“Yes.”

He walked toward me and pressed his palms on my desk, staring into my eyes. “Tell her I’m looking for her.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I need to talk to her, Kelly.”

I smirked. “You don’t even want to help me.”

He looked away, and I saw the guilt flash across his face. Something happened. He learned something—Emily was right.

I intertwined my fingers and rested my elbows on the desk. “Tell me, Matt. What happened?”

He looked at me, annoyed. “Nothing happened. Stop suspecting my parents. They know nothing.”

I raised an eyebrow again and chuckled, though it was without humor. “We’re talking about you and Emily, Matt. Why are you involving your parents?”

He swallowed hard and straightened up. He shoved his hands into his pants pockets, trying so hard to avoid my gaze. “Just tell her I’m looking for her.”

I watched his back as he left my office. It seems the fish is always caught by its mouth, huh? I wonder what he discovered that made him act so defensive like that.

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