Power was sotis a terrifying thing — especially when you weren’t the one holding it.
Nina couldn’t confidently say her instincts were always right, but when she sensed sothing, she trusted it. Just like now. After listening and subtly observing her forr boss, her instincts told her there was sothing more the woman was hiding.
And she was right.
After sharing a cup of coffee, the two parted ways.
Still, it weighed heavily on Nina’s heart.
The Davis family might not have gone so far as to blacklist her forr boss, but that didn’t make them innocent. If they hadn’t ddled in Nina’s life to the point of stepping on others without a second thought, things wouldn’t have snowballed like this.
They didn’t play fair, and now, soone else is paying a huge price just because they upheld sothing they believed.
Cruel.
Surely, this world was cruel and unfair.
Seated in the backseat of the car, Nina lifted her eyes to the two bodyguards in the front. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Since Finn left for his short business trip two days ago, the bodyguards he’d hired for her had been watching her like hawks.
Thankfully, they didn’t interfere. Wherever she wanted to go or whatever she wanted to do—they simply followed. They wouldn’t even strike up a conversation unless she asked them sothing. Nina had started to get used to this setup.
"Make a turn," Nina said after a long silence. "I’m going to drop by the Davis residence."
The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror and gave a silent nod before steering the wheel. The bodyguard in the passenger seat, anwhile, sent a ssage to alert their colleagues of the change in direction.
Silence settled in the car once again.
Nina turned toward the window, sighing faintly as she prepared to settle so unfinished business.
Less than an hour later, Nina found herself standing in front of the Davis residence.
When the door opened, her brows lifted at the sight of an elderly maid stepping out.
"Miss Nina Reed?" the maid asked gently, her wrinkled face warm with a soft smile.
Nina returned the smile. "Is Madam Davis ho?"
"Yes, Young Madam. She just returned last night. She already knows you’re here. Please, follow ," the maid said, motioning for Nina to co along. But instead of walking ahead, she slowed her steps and turned to look at her.
Nina noticed the flicker of excitent in the older woman’s eyes. "Are you... Nana?"
"Oh? Did the Young Master ntion ?"
"Yes," Nina’s smile stretched as she chuckled softly. "He said many good things about you."
Nana was probably the only adult Finn could say ever showed him sincere warmth. She couldn’t offer everything a parent could, but she had done her best to give even a sliver of comfort to a lonely child growing up in a mansion like this.
Nana chuckled weakly, her eyes soft with approval. She looked at Nina, as if wanting to talk more, maybe even make her sothing to eat. But she was aware of the strained relationship between her employers and Finn—strained all the more because of Nina.
"I’m so sorry, Young Madam," Nana said, tempted to reach for Nina’s hand. "I hope you and the Young Master are doing well."
"We are, Nana."
They stopped in front of the door leading to the garden patio at the back of the mansion. They smiled at each other, and this ti, Nana found the courage to gently take Nina’s hand.
"You’re a good girl," she said. "No wonder my Young Master is so fond of you."
This ti, Nina couldn’t help but smile. "Please visit Finn soti. If you can’t, I can arrange it. I’m sure he misses you a lot."
"I’ll try." Nana then glanced toward the glass sliding doors. When she turned back to Nina, she took a step closer and lowered her voice. "Young Madam, the Madam only just got back last night, and she hasn’t been in a good mood."
Conflict flickered in her eyes as she added, "I might be speaking out of turn, but... I think it’s best if you ca with the Young Master."
"It’s alright," Nina replied, understanding Nana’s concern. I’m not in a particularly good mood either.
Reluctantly, Nana stepped aside to let Nina pass. She might have worked for the Davis family her whole life, but that didn’t an she had any real power.
All she could do was watch Nina walk through the sliding door to et with Mrs. Davis.
"The Young Master won’t be happy if this ends badly," Nana whispered to herself, fidgeting with her fingers as she paced back and forth. When she couldn’t handle her growing anxiety any longer, she hurried away to inform Finn that Nina was there.
It might anger Mrs. Davis, but Nana was more worried this could further damage the fragile bond between mother and son.
---
anwhile...
When Nina stepped through the sliding door, she imdiately spotted Mrs. Davis sitting in the outdoor patio, sipping tea and reading the newspaper.
Nina took a deep breath and approached. She stopped just a few steps from the table but said nothing.
For a full minute, Mrs. Davis didn’t speak either, her eyes still focused on the article in front of her. Only after finishing it did she finally look up to et Nina’s gaze.
"I was told you were at the gate," she said, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. "Sit down."
"Thank you."
Mrs. Davis watched as Nina carefully took the seat across from her. She folded her arms under her chest, one brow arching in judgnt.
"If you ca here to say anything but break off your engagent, then let stop you right there, Miss Reed. I don’t care about anything else," Mrs. Davis said coldly, without sugar-coating her words. "Leave Finn alone. Because if you don’t, marrying you will cost him his parents—and his family."
Her gaze sharpened. "Do you really want to take that away from him?"
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