Chapter 4
Back at the Summit Hill villa, I checked the night's trending topics, breathing a sigh of relief only after confirming no scandal had erupted.
The victory party had ended smoothly.
The channel's official account even posted a group photo. Some kind soul had photoshopped me in. We all looked chummy, giving critics nothing to latch onto.
For once, Emily hadn't stirred the pot.
It was strange. Emily and I had been rivals since childhood. If she came first once, I had to come first twice, then gloat for two days.
Elementary, middle, high school—a constant battle.
Later, I studied broadcasting; so did she. I joined Metro Channel; so did she.
Sometimes, I even sensed a hint of mutual respect. But sadly, we could never be friends. Only enemies.
Nathan hadn't come home last night, but I knew where he was.
This morning, Emily sent me two photos. One showed Nathan kneeling to put her shoes on. The other showed him letting her pat his head obediently.
I thought Nathan would have a dead-fish expression. Yet, he could smile.
A genuine, heartfelt smile.
I found it odd that he could kneel for Emily so easily, while I had to endure his sarcastic remarks.
"Don't insult me with your dirty money every day," Nathan would say.
Emily: [Charlotte, your Boyfriend is very useful.]
Emily: [Do you think he'd bark like a dog if I told him to?]
I scoffed and replied: [Go ahead. Show me how you train your bodyguard, Miss Bright. I could learn a thing or two.]
Silence. No more messages came.
In the afternoon, my family called, summoning me back to the estate the day after tomorrow.
I was about to refuse, but the voice on the other end turned cold. "That penniless boy you're keeping has betrayed you. Did you think I didn't know?
"The alliance with the Bright family can't wait any longer. You will be there."
I laughed. "Does Emily know about this? If she's willing to treat me as her sister-in-law, I don't mind. But I doubt she'd sit still for that."
"Not your concern. I'll discuss it with the Brights," the voice snapped.
The line went dead with a sharp click.
I smirked, put my phone away, and opened the door, only to find Adam standing right there, still in last night's tailcoat.
He was still wearing the tux from yesterday.
I'd forgotten. I never assigned him a place to stay.
"How long have you been standing here?" I asked.
Adam stared at me, his voice slightly hoarse. "All night."
Of course. A machine.
I didn't respond, closed the door, and walked out. Adam followed closely. When he moved to take the driver's seat, I stopped him.
"Driving fatigued? You might not value your life, but I value mine," I said, giving him a look.
Adam stared, silent.
He got into the passenger seat.
Once we were on the road, I spoke calmly. "Adam Bell. Graduated from the National Defense University. After a medical discharge, you applied to be a personal bodyguard for the Brights. Served Emily for five years.
"Won a free-fighting championship. Proficient with firearms, intelligence gathering. Almost a jack-of-all-trades."
Adam listened, lips pressed together, eyes forward, but his gaze flicked to me through the rearview mirror.
As if I'd die if he looked away for a second.
I smiled slightly. At the next red light, I slammed the brakes. The inertia threw him forward. A crack finally appeared in his calm facade.
His brows knitted together as he turned to look at me.
I smiled, enunciating every word. "So, why'd you say yes to Emily and end up as my bodyguard?"