Her Rebirth.-Chapter 87

The door to Ace’s room clicked shut behind them with a thud. The room’s walls were grey, and inside were expensive furniture, scattered cologne bottles, and designer jackets hung carelessly, it was a space that mirrored Ace himself: a privileged brat.

Lilac let go of his arm and drifted toward the window, her fingers brushing lightly against the silk curtains. She stood there in silence, her back to him, her posture fragile and contemplative.

Ace flopped onto the couch, tossing his phone aside with a dramatic sigh. "She’s insufferable," he muttered. "Always barking like she owns everything."

Lilac’s voice came softly, like a breeze brushing past his ear. "You didn’t tell me about the diamond mine contract."

Ace blinked, sitting up slightly. "What about it?"

"That Kai is the one handling the contract," she said, still not turning around. "Your mother said it like it was important."

Lilac wanted to get all the information she could from Ace, and from her experience with Ace, he wasn’t really the smartest on the block.

Ace shrugged. "It is. Kind of. We had some sort of engagement contract with your grandfather involving a diamond mine as the consideration."

Lilac turned, her face filled with worry. "But... if something went wrong, wouldn’t it reflect badly on you?"

Ace frowned. "Why would it? He’s the one who is engaged to Amelia, not me."

"But your mother blamed you." She took a step closer, her voice gentle as she pressed on. "She said it was your foolish decision. That you broke the engagement with my sister."

A flicker of annoyance passed across Ace’s face. "She just wants someone to blame. She wants me to get married to someone I don’t like, and I don’t see the necessity since the contract only states that Amelia be married into the Blackwood family. It didn’t mention my name nor Kai’s. What is important is that she is married to one of us. So even if it’s Kai, we still reap the profits."

So that’s what the contract is about, huh?

Lilac’s eyes softened. "But what if he betrays you?"

Ace scoffed. "Kai? He wouldn’t dare. He knows his place."

She sat down beside him, tucking her legs neatly under her, her tone shifting to something more intimate. "But sometimes... people don’t stay in their place. Especially when they’re treated like they don’t belong."

Ace gave her a sideways glance. "You sound like you’re sympathizing with him."

Lilac smiled faintly. "I just understand what it feels like to be unwanted."

There was a beat of silence. Then Ace exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kai’s not like you. He doesn’t care what people think. He acts like he’s this cold, composed guy, but really? He’s just a robot. Always does what he’s told."

Lilac tilted her head slightly. "And you? Do you trust him?"

"I don’t need to trust him," Ace replied with a lazy grin. "I own him."

Lilac didn’t smile. Instead, she leaned in, close enough that he could feel her breath on his skin. "Ace... I know you’re not afraid of him. But your mother is. Your father, too, maybe. Why?"

He hesitated, caught off guard by her quiet persistence. "What’s with the sudden interest in Kai?"

Her lashes dipped low. "I’m just worried about you."

That seemed to soften him. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering for a moment. "You don’t have to be. I can handle Kai and Mother, and Father, and the damn stock market."

"But what if," she whispered, her gaze lifting to meet his, "Kai stops being the obedient dog?"

Ace’s jaw flexed, but he said nothing.

Lilac reached for his hand, delicate fingers lacing through his. "Then you’ll need someone beside you who is loyal. Someone who won’t leave you. No matter what."

And for a moment, Ace looked at her. She was looking at him with a loyal and loving gaze, and Ace felt his chest getting warm.

He smiled again, pulling her onto his lap. "Then I guess I’m lucky to have you."

Lilac curled against his chest, hiding the faint sneer on her lips.

---

Kai stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a stick of cigarette he had yet to light.

Behind him, Secretary Wen waited with a clipboard, sensing something... unusual. Kai was quiet, but not in his usual menacing way.

Minutes passed, then Kai turned with a soft smile. "I need something done."

"What is it, sir?" Wen replied dryly.

"I’m going to propose to Amelia."

Wen blinked in surprise and shock. "...You’re what?"

"I said, I’m proposing to Amelia. I want it perfect."

While Wen was still a bit surprised, he realized that he really shouldn’t be, as it was expected, especially after he had seen how his boss had obsessed over her. Rather, it was about time it happened.

"Right. Okay. I assume you have something in mind?"

Kai walked toward his desk, pulling open a drawer and tossing a velvet box onto the table. "I want it custom-made. Platinum. A rare ruby surrounded by diamonds. The ruby would match her eyes."

Wen picked it up, eyes widening slightly as he opened it. "You aren’t planning on holding back, are you?" he asked jokingly.

"I don’t intend to. I want her to remember it forever. So take notes."

Wen sighed and readied his pen.

Kai began pacing slowly. "Location: it should be somewhere private, romantic, and expensive but not tacky. No rooftop restaurants. That’s beneath her."

"Got it. Elegant, not cliché. What about the theme?"

Kai paused. "She doesn’t really fancy flowers so much, but she liked the roses I gave her the last time, so probably white and red roses."

Wen scribbled furiously.

"Candles. But scented ones, she liked them whenever she reads, mostly cinnamon-scented candles. And music. It should be soft. Not classical, too cold but rather something warm. Piano, maybe."

"Location, flowers, ambiance... got it."

"Oh," Kai added, turning to him with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "She’s going to suspect something if I take her anywhere unusual. So make it seem like a simple dinner. But every detail must be flawless. Subtle."

"You’re planning an ambush," Wen commented.

"A beautiful one." He lit the cigarette and took a drag before muttering, "This will probably be the last time I smoke too."

"Well, that’s a good thing," Wen remarked.

Kai chuckled at the statement and then said, "Also, get her a dress. Light blue probably, Not too revealing, but something that makes her feel like a queen."

"And her size? How do we get it without her suspecting?"

Kai gave him a sideways glance. "I’ve undressed her enough times to know."

Wen nearly choked.

Kai turned back to the window, voice quieter now. "Make sure it’s perfect, Wen. I only plan to do this once."

Wen looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "I’ll take care of it."