Chapter 77

Inside the dark, understated Bentley, Tristan leaned over and buckled Megan's seatbelt for her.

The angle of his face shifted just enough that their lips brushed accidentally-warm breath mingled,brushing against flushed cheeks.

His sharp, narrow eyes lifted slightly, and then,without hesitation, he caught her soft lips in a deep,lingering kiss.

His hand-broad, calloused-slipped smoothly under her silk shirt hem and traced along her waistline,drawing her further into his embrace.

What Megan didn't realize was that just as their lips met, Jason happened to walk past the car.

Moments ticked by, warm fingers wandered past her collar and brushed the soft skin of her neck.

The touch to her artery snapped her back to her senses.

She turned her head away, gasping for fresh air, her lips parting with a bit of resistance.

"You're spying on me again, aren't you?"

Tristan nuzzled into her neck, his voice deep, "I'm just worried about you." Megan raised a brow. "Really? The CEO of Reid Group has time to lurk around now?"

He chuckled lowly. "Taking care of you is officially my full-time job."

On the surface, his answer sounded serious, but think on it-it had way too many hidden meanings.

Megan's cheeks turned scarlet. She gave his chest a light push, "Shameless."

Tristan pinched her chin gently. "Just wait till our wedding night-you'll understand what 'shameless'really looks like."

He gave her lips a playful, teasing kiss. "Come on, I'll drive you back to campus."

"Mm-hmm."

The car slipped into traffic.

On the way, Megan stopped at a stationery store and bought a new kraft envelope, putting her drawings inside.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the first teaching building of Meridian University.

Several students nearby caught a glimpse of Tristan helping her out and holding the door for her.

He reached out, tousling her hair lightly. "I'll pick you up tonight for dinner at your mom's. I'll have Cameron drive your car back to the estate."

Then, he pressed a soft kiss to her smooth forehead before heading off. Ignoring the stares-some jealous, some admiring-Megan headed straight into the building and walked toward the teachers' office.

No one was inside. She located the enrollment teacher's desk and placed the new envelope on top.

Just two seconds after she left, the indicator on the surveillance camera blinked off.

A minute later, the office door cracked open.

A graceful, curvy figure slipped in, swapped out all the drawings in the envelope, and left without a trace.

At noon, Megan and Rachel returned to Emerald Cove for lunch.

Penelope had personally cooked up a hearty spread.

As she dished food into their bowls, she chatted, "I saw the news-can't believe Natalie still hasn't learned her lesson. Went swinging a knife around today! Clearly,her little outburst at the party wasn't enough."

She paused, shaking her head. "Her mom's no better -completely irrational."

"But that actor Jason really stepped up today. Saved Megan right there on the spot."

Rachel bit into her chopsticks with a small pout."A shame,really. If my silly man hadn't dragged me off,I might've seen it all go down! Would've been way more exciting than the movies."

Penelope blinked. "Silly man?"

Rachel grinned brightly. "Kai, of course." Then quickly changed the subject, "But sis, kind of amazing, isn't it? Both of the Lewis brothers saved you Total fate."

Megan gave a small, dry smile. "Honestly, I could've handled it myself. Really."

"Ugh, so ungrateful!"

With a flick of her chopsticks, Megan gently tapped Rachel on the head. "That's called nosy mortals meddling in a goddess's business!"Penelope let out a soft chuckle, then her tone turned slightly stern."Megan, don't go knocking on Rachel's head again,alright?"

Rachel raised an eyebrow at Megan , clearly feeling a bit triumphant. Look who's got backup now.

But then Penelope's next words totally rained on her parade.

"Rachel's head isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed."

Megan burst out laughing. "Fair point! I wonder if Kai's IQ is dropping from hanging around her too much!"

Rachel pouted. "You always make fun of me, sis-in-law."

Penelope picked up a bite of food and chewed slowly,but seemed distracted rather than tasting anything. "I heard the Lees are planning to tie the knot with the Lewis family from Lindon."

Megan's smile vanished instantly. "When did you find out?"

Penelope laid her silver chopsticks gently on the table and replied casually, "Last night. Over dinner with some friends."

Megan glanced at Rachel, whose expression had clearly dimmed. "Hey, don't overthink it. No matter what happens, Kai's heart is with you."

Rachel let out a soft sigh through her nose. "I know someone like me doesn't exactly 'match' Kai's status...and Amelia is honestly kind of amazing."

Megan's heart ached a little. Rachel had lost her parents early and hadn't had it easy when it came to love.

She reached out and lightly patted Rachel's slender shoulder."Rachel."

But then Rachel suddenly smiled, though her eyes looked a bit misty. "Well, luckily Kai has a thing for girls like me who aren't so 'amazing,'right?"

Megan:"..."

She glanced at Penelope, and honestly? Maybe they didn't need to worry so much after all.

Later that afternoon, Tristan came to pick Megan up.

Seeing her frowning slightly, Tristan looked concerned."What's on your mind, Meg?"

She told him about the Lees possibly arranging a marriage with the Lewis family.

Tristan narrowed his eyes faintly. "So you're thinking of pressuring the Lewises, make them back off like the Banks?"

Megan let out a sigh. "The Lewis family is like Reid's-one of the top corporate dynasties in the country.Making a move could stir up a lot of trouble.

Plus, Jason and Samuel-yeah, I know helping me might've been a bit much, but I still owe them.

And Grandpa's health. we're still counting on Brandon for that.

So no,we can't mess with them."

Tristan didn't say anything. He knew Megan wouldn't just let something slide unless she had another move coming up. So he waited.

And sure enough, she leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "That's why. I'm going after the Lees instead."

Just like he thought.

Tristan bit back a grin and easily accepted her plan to stir things up. "Want my help?"

Megan raised her brow with a confident smirk. "I've got this."

Tristan gently tilted her chin with his fingers, his eyes unreadable and his smile slow and knowing. "Don't be too sure. You might need me more than you think."

Megan rolled her eyes. "You're getting more full of yourself lately."

"Oh really? So what were you doing, kissing your own hand? Or were you about to-"

Megan quickly slapped her palm over his mouth before he could say something that'd make her blush to the roots.

But the sudden heat of his lips on her palm sent a shiver straight through her, like a jolt of electricity that hit too deep.

She quickly pulled her hand back, but Tristan caught it,holding it with calloused fingers that rubbed gently against her skin.

His smile could make someone forget how to breathe.His eyes looked like they held the stars.

His voice dropped low, rich and tempting. "Still want me to help?"

Megan's lashes fluttered as she swallowed. She couldn't help but say, "Yeah... I do."

Tristan tapped the tip of her nose with a smirk. "Knew it. You've been dying to get your hands on me."

Megan:"."