Page 259 of His Flash Mate
Kaya nodded, and barely an hour after we’d arrived, we left, having completed our purpose.
On the way home, I held Konni’s hand.
“Thank you for being my mate.”
CHAPTERFORTY
Saturday becamea whirlwind of last-minute table seating arrangements as confirmations poured in.Kaya’s knowledge of Motan’s elite was impressively scary.
“How could you possibly know that Henry slept with Evmond?They’re both married.To women,” Balak said, not doubting his wife as much as impressed by her.
“I have eyes and ears and use them.People who sneak around think they’re discreet, but they’re always obvious if you know what to look for.”
“And you do?”he asked.
“Of course.How else do you think I’ve managed to keep opportunistic poachers out of our bed?Why do you think I like sending you away so often?It gives me time to thin the herd so I can take you out and show you off for a while before you start attracting attention again.Why did you have to be born so pretty?”
Balak’s eyes filled with gold, and he looked at his wife like he wanted to throw her over his shoulder.
“None of that now,” Becky said with a laugh.“We have work to do.”
By dinner, we received Mrs.Hildcrask’s promised welcome gift—the proof we needed to press charges against Charlotte for arson, solicitation, fraud, and conspiracy—along with an actual gift for me.
A stunning ruby necklace with a note that she hoped I would consider wearing the Hildcrask heirloom to the Steeles’ welcome event on Saturday to show everyone I had Hildcrask support.
“She’s a clever one,” Kaya said.“I do like her.”
Mom chuckled as I petted the jewelry.
I wasn’t a fool and understood her purpose.Wearing it would announce the Steele-Hildcrask alliance, denying Charlotte the chance to hide behind her family name before her crimes made headlines.
“It’s so pretty, but we already bought the custom Zellon piece for me to wear.”
Kaya didn’t say anything and I sighed.
“At least it will look good with my dress,” I said finally.
Kaya patted my arm.“Wear the custom piece to work this week.It’s not meant to be worn once and forgotten anyway.”
That was all the permission I needed to wake up Monday and dress to slay at work.And it was the perfect time to dress the part of a business leader, too.
Over the weekend, the Stonestocks made headlines for funding redevelopment in Motan’s poorer districts before announcing their plans to leave the city and join their daughter in the countryside.
The office gossips speculated why they’d left the city.Some wondered if it had to do with my kidnapping since it happened so soon afterward.I neither confirmed nor denied anything, which had Lianna’s supporters quickly changing sides.Suddenly, I was getting emails with design corrections instead of lists of problems that needed to be overcome.
Within days, Steele’s stocks were soaring, and the stockholders who’d wanted me out were asked to leave instead.
Through it all, my father texted daily—dinner invitations, requests for quality time, and hints about revisiting TAS shares.I ignored them all and focused on work and party prep.
Saturday would force the truth.We knew my stepmom had pulled the trigger, but that didn’t mean that my father was unaware or innocent.
Friday at lunch, Konni stole my phone and answered the last text for me.
Me:Busy getting ready for tomorrow.Let’s talk after.
“Why did you do that?”I asked.“It’s going to look suspicious.”
“Not answering is going to look more suspicious after Mom went out of her way to personally hand him an invitation.”
