The Devil's Favourite Obsession

Olga’s courage took a blow when her own daughter chose to marry Rafael — the man she had met two days ago.

In Russia, Tatiana had not been ready for the engagement. She had not been sure if it was the right choice. Even on the plane, she had sat with a sullen face the entire flight.

Olga had not foreseen the outcome where her daughter would change her decision so quickly.

She watched Rafael extend his hand toward Tatiana. She watched Tatiana place her hand carefully into his — and give him, in the small fraction of a second between the extending and the placing, her complete trust.

Olga could already see Tatiana crying inside this marriage.

Rafael could not be trusted. He was a womaniser. His reputation in the city was similar to Cassian’s — but Cassian’s dealings with women had been clear and defined. One-week contracts. That was all. Rafael was with many at once. If Cassian was neat, Rafael was messy.

Olga had hoped that the responsibility of the company, combined with an engagement to a woman as beautiful as Tatiana, would keep Rafael’s feet on the ground.

But she had been wrong. She had been wrong the moment Rafael had jokingly said he would marry Cixi — her elder daughter! Who was faking a pregnancy. How had her family arrived at such a situation? She pondered heavily.

That night, Olga’s eyes moved across Rafael at that dinner. And from the way he had been looking at Cixi, she already knew there was nothing good behind his intention.

Tatiana had seen it too. Olga was sure of it. So why was she still agreeing to marry him?

Tatiana loved a luxurious life. But would she risk her life for the extravagant lifestyle the Crown family could provide? And now, knowing that Cassian was alive, would it not be long before Cassian claimed everything under his name?

It seemed to Olga that Cassian was fond of Cixi. It appeared in the way he held Cixi in his arms.

Olga did not feel the same about Rafael. Rafael did not look at Tatiana with love or with care.

Wait! Does that mean Cassian cared for Cixi?

Did Cassian look at Cixi with love? With care? Was that what she had witnessed on the top floor that night?

She shook her head mentally and brought her thoughts back to Tatiana. Her daughter was now standing next to Rafael. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. It was a quick one.

”I am going to announce our engagement to the media,” Rafael informed everyone present in the room. He then turned to Michael. ”And, Father — I hope you will also announce that I will be leading Crown’s Premium Hotel chain brand with the engagement.”

Lorian rose from his seat and crossed the parlour to embrace Rafael.

However, Michael did not. Michael remained where he was, beside Tamara, his hands folded across one knee, his face arranged in a careful expression that did not, by any reading Olga could give it, look anything like the expression of the rest of the room.

Tamara was rejoicing. Her younger and only son had been handed the empire.

Michael was not rejoicing. Michael was watching, and he had his own doubts about everything. Because somewhere, why did it feel like Cassian was still alive?

Outside the parlour door, Emily was standing in the corridor.

She had heard Rafael ask his father to call a press conference for the announcement. She bit her lower lip in disdain and left the corridor at once, before anyone inside the room noticed her.

She was fuming. Every part of her brain was ready to unleash a fire on every person in the Palace — except one!

She stormed toward the private lift. She pressed the button for the floor. The lift rose. When the doors opened, she was met with a warning sign on the wall of the landing.

She ignored it and walked further. She walked past the warning. She walked until she reached the door after many turns.

Emily did not bother to knock. She simply opened the door with force.

Cixi, who had just finished eating, jolted at the sudden intrusion. She turned her head toward the door and found Emily standing there, her hand closed in a fist, looking at her as if she intended to murder her.

”Emily! What are you doing here?”

Cixi’s eyes widened, realising she had not put on the fake belly. She had not been expecting anyone to come and meet her. And why did people keep ignoring the warning sign Cassian had precisely put near the lift?

She panicked.

Cassian was in the study, fetching books he had said she might like to read.

”Emily — I-I cannot meet you now. C-can you come later?” Cixi said the sentence loud enough for Cassian to hear, in the next room, that she needed help.

She should have worn the fake belly. Apparently, this private suite, which was supposed to be forbidden, no longer commanded any respect. Everyone seemed to think they could simply walk into Cassian’s place.

”I am here to talk to you,” Emily ignored Cixi’s words. She stepped inside instead of turning around.

Cixi panicked further. What was she supposed to do about the belly?

Her lie was about to be caught. She would be called a liar. The fake medical reports the doctors had submitted would be revoked. The hospital would be closed, or the staff replaced. Cassian’s careful arrangement would unravel — and she would be at the centre of the unravelling.

She had felt satisfied after eating. She had wanted to relax. It seemed life could not give her a single break. She was going to be sent to prison.

Her heart raced in fear.

Emily stood in front of her now, where she could see Cixi clearly.

Cixi stood up instantly to give all the excuses she could think of. ”I can explain. Before you say anything, let me say first. I did not mean to —”

”Your belly looks bigger than before,” Emily tilted her head as she looked at Cixi’s swollen belly.

Cixi froze. Her lips stayed parted. Her chin tipped down and looked at her own belly.

She almost tripped looking at it.

Had she eaten so much that her belly now looked six months pregnant?