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Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Learning All the Wrong Things

”Miss Winslow, since you’ve picked up Kiki, I’ll be heading back now,” Zane Lancaster’s secretary said with a smile.

Lynn Winslow ruffled Kiki’s fur and spoke graciously to Zane Lancaster’s secretary, ”Thank you for bringing Kiki over. I’ll arrange for a bonus to be sent to you. I’ll have Zane pass it along.”

The secretary’s smile grew wider. He gave a slight bow of gratitude, said his farewells, and headed to the departure lounge.

A bodyguard pushed the pet stroller for her as Lynn Winslow periodically bent down to check on Kiki, her joy practically overflowing. She was so happy she didn’t even notice Ian Sterling emerging from a nearby lounge.

Ian Sterling, of course, saw Lynn Winslow repeatedly bending down to pet the cat. His expression darkened. He couldn’t deny the uncomfortable feeling that welled up in his chest.

He rubbed at his chest, then turned and strode away with Eugene Chandler.

Ian Sterling was at the airport today to pick up his older brother, Elias. Two months ago, Elias had dumped all the affairs of the family corporation on their retired father and second-eldest brother to go travel the world with his wife. Then, on a flight for an impromptu return trip, he had called and specifically demanded that Ian come to pick him up.

When Elias Sterling emerged with his wife, Sophia Shaw, the first thing they saw was Ian Sterling lounging indolently by the arrivals gate.

Sophia Shaw couldn’t help but let out a laugh, while Elias Sterling looked utterly exasperated.

He had specifically made Ian come pick them up to act as their luggage porter, but a lot of good that did—Ian had brought his secretary.

True to form, the perceptive Eugene Chandler stepped forward to take the luggage cart from Elias Sterling, greeting his boss’s brother and sister-in-law respectfully.

Elias Sterling shot Ian a sideways glare and said in a snide tone, ”I told you to come be a luggage boy for your sister-in-law and me, and here you are, bringing your own entourage.”

Ian Sterling first nodded a greeting to Sophia Shaw before drawling lazily, ”I knew you insisting on me coming meant you were up to no good, so I came prepared.”

Sophia Shaw, who knew her brother-in-law’s personality well, saw that Elias was about to launch into a lecture. She quickly shook her husband’s arm and shot him a warning glare.

Elias Sterling had no choice but to swallow his words.

For the trip, Ian had specifically instructed Eugene Chandler to drive the Cullinan. He took the front passenger seat, leaving the back for his brother and sister-in-law.

The moment he got in the car, Ian Sterling clammed up completely. He rested his arm on the open window, propped his head on his hand, and didn’t say a single word.

Elias had to be the one to break the silence. ”I heard from Mom that Lynn is back.”

Ian Sterling continued to feign ignorance.

”What? You two getting back together?” Seeing him like this, Elias couldn’t resist a sarcastic jab. A hand snaked over from Sophia’s side of the car and viciously pinched his waist, causing him to hiss in pain.

Sophia Shaw said gently, ”Finn, just ignore your brother. He’s had too much time on his hands lately. Once he goes back to work tomorrow, he’ll learn to keep his mouth shut.”

Elias opened his mouth to retort, but after receiving a threatening look from Sophia, he sheepishly shut it again.

”Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against him,” Ian finally said, shooting Elias a mocking look in the rearview mirror. Elias found himself genuinely missing the Finn of their childhood—the adorable little boy who would trail after his siblings, calling out for his brothers and sisters in a sweet, childish voice.

But now? Hmph. Elias couldn’t even be bothered to say it.

To make matters worse, Sophia doted on Ian, so he, the eldest brother, wasn’t allowed to say a single bad word about Finn.

Catching his brother’s warning glare, Ian nonchalantly broke eye contact and retreated back into silence.

Meanwhile, the moment Lynn Winslow got into her car, she scooped her precious cat-son into her arms and pressed him close, burying her face in his fur.

”My darling Kiki, you smell so wonderful,” Lynn praised him with a smile.

Zane Lancaster must have taken Kiki for a bath and grooming session before sending him to Veridia. Kiki was now the very picture of a dream cat—huge and long-haired, both handsome and fluffy. He was so irresistible that even her two bodyguards were itching to pet him.

Lynn Winslow had already arranged for all of Kiki’s supplies to be prepared, including a huge stash of his favorite treats and canned food.

As Kiki began to explore his new territory, the unhappiness Lynn had been suppressing finally began to surface.

She lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. Mrs. Sterling, who was in the kitchen preparing a meal for Kiki, noticed Lynn’s mood. She walked over and asked with concern, ”Lynn, dear, what is it? You look so unhappy.”

Lynn snapped back to reality. She pushed herself up and saw Kiki perched on the steps, looking at her with an equally puzzled expression. She smiled at Mrs. Sterling. ”It’s nothing. I was just spacing out.”

Mrs. Sterling nodded. ”Alright then, I’ll get back to making Kiki’s meal.”

Lynn pursed her lips and beckoned to Kiki, who came waddling over to her.

Lynn scooped him up, teasing, ”How did you get so fat again? You’re going to turn into a little piggy if you’re not careful.”

Kiki let out a protesting MEOW, as if to say, ’I can be fat and still be the most handsome cat there is.’

Lynn hugged him close and huffed. ”That bastard, Ian Sterling... next time you see him, you scratch him. Got it?”

Kiki was already very familiar with that name. He meowed again in response.

Lynn took that as a yes, her eyes crinkling as she smiled and praised him.

Just then, Zane Lancaster called. Lynn, still lying on the sofa with Kiki in her arms, shifted into a more comfortable position before answering the phone.

”You got Kiki?”

Lynn hummed a lazy ”mhm” in response. She scratched Kiki’s chin and said to him, ”Here, say hi to your best bud.”

Zane Lancaster told her she was nuts, but Lynn didn’t get angry, simply giggling in response.

Zane couldn’t be bothered to argue with her and changed the subject. ”I forgot to ask last time. How have you been?”

Lynn’s smile vanished. She pursed her lips in annoyance. ”I just ran into Ian Sterling. Told me to stop looking for him and that he’s not getting back together with me.”

Zane paused for a moment. ”So, what are you going to do?”

”I’m not giving up.” Lynn and Zane were childhood friends; she could tell him anything. She said bluntly, ”If Ian really doesn’t want to get back with me, I’ll just take a page out of your father’s book—knock him out, drag him back to Morelia, and lock him up until he agrees.”

Zane had taken his mother’s surname. His father was from the royal family of Morelia, and he had taken Zane’s mother by force.

The Winslow family’s corporate conglomerate was at the apex of Morelia’s social pyramid. The royal family and the Winslows had a partnership, which was how Zane and Lynn had grown up as childhood friends.

”Right. You’d skip all the good lessons and go straight for the bad ones,” Zane scoffed.

Lynn snorted. ”It’s not a bad habit if it’s effective.”

”Whatever you say. But don’t get so focused on chasing Ian that you forget about Mia Rhodes,” Zane reminded her.

Lynn’s fingers sank into Kiki’s thick fur. ”I know,” she said. ”An opportunity is coming up very soon.”

Mia Rhodes would be attending a gala soon. Lynn had already set her plan in motion; all she had to do now was wait for Mia to take the bait.

”Okay, hanging up now.” Without waiting to see if Lynn had anything else to say, Zane ended the call.

By then, Mrs. Sterling had finished preparing Kiki’s meal. She came to the living room sofa and, cooing softly, bent down to lift Kiki from Lynn’s arms. Kiki stretched out languidly but allowed Mrs. Sterling to carry him off.

Lynn rolled over onto her stomach. A moment later, her phone chimed with a message notification.