Kieran patted Thomas on the shoulder, his grin slick with false reassurance. "Relax, no one will know. Only you and I know. That's all."
He chuckled, then leaned in, his voice dripping with temptation. "She's a fool. What could she possibly understand? Just say she seduced me and wanted it. You're Adrian's father-in-law, so what can he do to you? Think about it. One night, and your thirty million debt disappears. That's a pretty good deal."
Thomas lowered his head. Hesitation flickered across his face, but Kieran's words were already sinking in.
At the side, Riley said nothing.
A faint smile touched her lips, cold and mocking.
Felicia was at the Yates Estate, trying to charm my husband, while I had been lured here and handed over to a balding old man. What a wonderful father.
Her expression remained calm, but her eyes were icy. Her fingers lightly brushed the stuffed bunny in her arms, pressing one of its button eyes. A faint red glint flashed and disappeared in an instant.
No one noticed.
But she knew.
It was recording everything, every word, every face.
After a long moment, Thomas finally made his choice. His jaw tightened, and when he spoke, his voice was steady. "Fine. As long as you clear my family's debt, I'll leave Riley to you. What happens today has nothing to do with me."
Kieran's grin widened. "Deal."
Thomas turned to Riley. For the briefest second, something wavered in his eyes, a trace of hesitation, but it vanished almost immediately. When he spoke again, his tone softened in a way that felt unnatural and forced.
"Riley, Daddy's going to step out and buy you some cake. Stay here, have some coffee with Mr. Frost, and wait for me."
Riley smiled brightly. "Okay."
Then she tilted her head and added in a light voice, "Are you bringing Felicia here too? She's still at Grandpa's place. She doesn't even get coffee. That's so sad. You really shouldn't play favorites, Daddy."
Her tone was sweet and innocent, but the quiet mockery beneath it was unmistakable.
Thomas did not catch it, but the moment Felicia's name left her mouth, he stiffened. His eyes darted to Kieran, and the moment he saw that gleam of interest in the man's expression, his own face darkened.
Felicia was the daughter he had carefully raised, the one he truly valued. She would never allow any man to lay a finger on her.
In an instant, whatever little patience he still had for Riley disappeared.
"She has piano practice later," he said sharply. "She needs to prepare for the freshman representative ceremony. Why would she come here?"
His voice turned hard and impatient. "Stay here. I'll be back soon."
Riley's smile dimmed a little. "Mm."
It was only a soft sound, but it landed with strange weight.
For a fleeting moment, Thomas thought he saw something in her eyes, sarcasm, maybe even pain. But when he looked again, it was gone.
He must have imagined it.
A fool would not feel something like that.
He turned and walked out.
Just as he reached the door, Riley called after him. "Daddy."
He glanced back. "What is it?"
Riley smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. "Watch your step on the way out. There's a stair there. Don't trip."
He frowned slightly. "Got it. Just wait here. I'll be back soon."
Then he left.
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Riley alone with Kieran.
As Thomas walked away, a flicker of unease rose in his chest. Regret, perhaps. Just a little.
But he quickly reminded himself that Riley was only a fool. Once Adrian died, she would be sent back anyway, so what difference did it make? By the time he stepped out of the café, the last trace of guilt was already gone.
Better this way, he told himself.
I'm her father, but does that mean I have to spend the rest of my life burdened with a fool? At least Kieran can give Riley a future. Daughters are supposed to marry eventually, aren't they?
Besides, Kieran is wealthy and influential. So what if he already has a wife? The woman is dull and only gave him a daughter. If Riley stays with him, she might even secure a proper place for herself one day.
This isn't such a bad ending.
By the time he finished convincing himself of that, he felt much lighter.
The moment he stepped outside, his phone rang.
It was Elaine.
Her voice came through bright with excitement. "Thomas, how did it go? Is the debt settled? What did Mr. Frost say?"
Thomas let out a long breath. "It's done. The company will recover soon."
Elaine laughed in delight. "See? I told you going to Riley would work. You were overthinking it. She married into the Yates family. Who in Lumut could be richer than them?"
But Thomas's tone turned heavier. "The Yates family is rich, but Riley isn't."
Elaine paused. "What do you mean? If she doesn't have money, how did you settle it?"
There was a brief silence before he finally said, "Mr. Frost took a liking to her. He agreed to treat her as repayment."
"What?" Elaine's voice shot up in shock.
"Keep your voice down," Thomas snapped. "I'm only telling you this because you cannot let a single word slip. If this gets out, we're finished. Adrian is not someone we can afford to offend."
On the other end, Elaine quickly softened her tone. "All right, all right. I know. I won't say anything. Since the debt is resolved, go back to the company. I'll wait for Felicia."
She hung up.
The moment the call ended, her expression changed. Excitement flashed across her face, followed by something colder.
Kieran's reputation was notorious. Countless women had passed through his hands, and sending Riley to him was no different from sending her to her death.
A slow, cruel smile curved Elaine's lips.
If the Yates family finds out, what will happen then?
Her eyes gleamed with calculation.
Meanwhile, back inside the café, the door had barely closed behind Thomas before Kieran dropped the last of his restraint.
Rubbing his hands together, he approached Riley with a grin. "Well, well, pretty girl. Are you bored? Want me to keep you company? We can talk about life."
The way he looked at her made her stomach churn.
Riley's eyes shifted, then she smiled sweetly. "Sure. But before that, I have a gift for you."
Kieran's grin widened at once. "A gift? What kind? Something exciting?"
Her lips curved. "Oh, it's very exciting."
She tilted her head slightly, her voice soft and light, almost like a feather brushing across skin. "Close your eyes. And hold out your hand."
Kieran felt anticipation stir in him. "All right, all right. I'll close them."
He obediently shut his eyes and stretched out his hand.
Riley stared at that wrinkled palm, and disgust rose in her throat. God knew how many women that hand had touched.
She leaned in.
"Ptooey."
A neat spit landed squarely in the center of his palm.
Then she stepped back and smiled brightly. "All done. You can open your eyes now."
Kieran froze.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and stared at the sticky mess in his hand. His face twisted instantly, and his whole arm began to tremble with fury.
"You…"
His voice shook with rage. "You fool. You've got some nerve. Are you trying to die?"
He snatched up a tissue and wiped his hand frantically, his eyes turning dark with fury. Then his voice dropped, cold and vicious.
"You're dead today."
But Riley only crossed her arms and lifted her chin. "You think you can touch me?"
Her eyes flashed with warning. She took a step forward, her voice turning sharp. "If I tell Adrian what happened here, you're the one who'll die. I suggest you let me go now. Otherwise, my husband will make sure you regret it."