Chapter 0062
Violet
Theodore’s question lingered in the air between us as I mulled over everything I’d learned about Owen for the past few hours. I didn’t doubt that Theodore had already come to a lot of the same conclusions that I had, but I was… touched- happy- that he wanted to hear my thoughts and input on the situation.
I could count on one hand the number of times Lucas had actually asked for my opinion on something… and fit all the times my father had asked me on the same hand.
“He’s employed quite the PR team to cover up how terrible of a person he is from the masses.” My lips twitched. “I can only guess that’s because of how much publicity you have working in your favor…though is it your doing or his doing that the coverage about you is all pushed into obscure news outlets?”
His lips twitched. “You’ve been researching me.‘
“You know more about me than I like.” He blinked. “It’s only right that I start evening the playing field. Admittedly, that’s quite hard.”
He smirked. “I like my privacy… And a bit of both, you could say.”
“Is there an official agreement between you two?”
“No. I just…” He took a deep breath. “Larger news outlets don’t have rights to come to Midnight because they’re typically not going without a car and A/C.”
I blinked and chuckled. “Shrewd. Who handles what’s released to the larger outlets then? Like the photo?”
“Dahlia handles it.”
I nodded and took a note. “I’m going to train Sophia to be able to handle PR work inside and outside the pack. But, as for Owen, I imagine that his mother works very hard to keep him looking a certain way to the public, but he seems to understand that it’s not working. It’s rare that someone is observant enough to know that a plan isn’t working, but not cunning enough to at least try to fix it. He hates you. Deeply. Zealously. But I think he’s more… jealous, envious than anything. Desperate, too.‘
He winced. “You really don’t believe in holding back…”
“Did you want me to?” I asked. “Are you under a different impression?”
He said nothing.
I looked out the window, frowning. “Is he the oldest?”
“Legally, yes.”
Chapter 0062
+25 BONUS
I blinked. “What do you mean by that?”
He smiled. “We were born the same year, but I wasn’t registered or announced until a year later.
My jaw dropped. They were the same age? I guess that meant our age gap was also smaller than I thought. I leaned forward.
“How many people know this? Does he know this?”
Theodore nodded. “I’m pretty sure his mother told him… if not our father.”
I searched his face. He wouldn’t look at me, but I didn’t need him to to read into his tone.
“This would also… be a part of the reason you abdicated so publicly.”
He smiled. “You’re hot when you’re clever.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Good to know you always think I’m hot.”
He chuckled to himself. “I never denied it… But you were saying? About Owen.”
“Insecure men with power are dangerous…” I took a breath. “Honestly, he and Lucas are basically the same person. Probably best manipulated and controlled through money, or lackthereof.” I smirked. “Despicable with no integrity. I could go on, but I think—”
Theodore burst into laughter. His eyes were bright, glowing. His gaze was soft, and he looked almost relieved, as if he’d been bracing for something worse.
“What…” His tone turned warm and he slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me up and into his lap before I could stop him. “… it’s such a shame we didn’t meet earlier…”
My heart sped up as he cupped my face. His eyes were so full of yearning, dark with desire. “You, my Violet, are absolutely…”
I pressed a finger to his lips before he could kiss me, leaning back and away from him. My heart was racing. My whole body felt warm and full of sparks. I could see in his eyes that he knew it, that he enjoyed the effect he was having on me.
“It’s no longer time to perform,” I reminded him, my tone firm. “And I still don’t appreciate the attempt.”
He tilted his head, an intrigued spark lighting up his eyes. He kissed my finger and drew back.
“I was told it’s not very romantic to ask every time for a kiss.”
“We’re not dating Theodore. Romance isn’t-”
