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Chapter 180 - Burn

Atlantis\' grandfather took a good, long look at Lina. Then, his gaze shifted to her ring finger. He could still see it. Two red threads. People were only meant to have one.

He let out a loud sigh. What a troubled fate this young woman had. It was all the more reason he pitied her, but also patronized her. They said she was wise, but she always chose destruction. Why?

"Keep her close, Atlantis," his grandfather murmured. "She is a runner."

Lina was intrigued by the conversation, but also disturbed.. This man read her like he knew her entire life. This wasn\'t good.

"Grandpa," Atlantis mused with a slight shake of his head. He was intrigued by his grandfather\'s words, as the old man never said something so interesting as today.

Lina was a runner?

"She has run from you before," the old man commented. He tiredly raised his eyes.

Lina\'s heart froze. For once, she met his gaze. Despite his brittle appearance, his eyes were sharp like a blade. He saw her every move. With great uncertainty, she inched away from Atlantis, forced a smile and opened her mouth to leave.

"Atlantis, I think—"

"My speech is beginning soon, come sit," Atlantis told her with a friendly smile.

Atlantis had known her for a long time. He knew when she was unsettled. Atlantis decided to speak to his grandfather after this. The old man was surely making her uncomfortable.

"Actually," Lina said, deciding to speak her mind. "I plan on—"

"Are you feeling alright?" Atlantis asked her. His brows knitted together with worry.

Atlantis grabbed her hand the way they used to as children. She froze and yanked her hand back like his touch had burned her.

Atlantis\'s mood darkened, but so did Lina\'s expression.

"I\'m married," Lina said, straight-up. "Please respect that."

"Linlin—"

"It was a pleasure to meet you," Lina said to the grandfather, offering him a nod. "I must retire for the night. Enjoy the rest of this celebration."

Without another word or glance, Lina headed for the doors. She was growing increasingly uncomfortable by the situation, but still remembered her manners.

Atlantis was refusing to respect her boundaries. She didn\'t like that. Especially how much he interrupted her when she tried to leave.

Lina got what she wanted from networking. She decided to meet with Atlantis at a different time to ask him personal questions. Right now, there were too many people watching. Too many people listening. She didn\'t like it, not one bit.

Suddenly, a voice spoke up from behind her.

"You\'re rash."

Lina spun around at the insult. It was the same old man. How did he move that quickly? Her attention flickered to the spot where he was sitting. Now, he standing before her, hunched over his cane like a weak old man. In reality, they both knew he wasn\'t as frail as he appeared.

"You do not give men the time to explain their reasoning. It is why you\'ve died twice already," the man said in a lowered tone. "You need to listen more."

Lina was floored by his words. She opened and closed her mouth. What was she supposed to say to that? She rattled her brain for a response.

"You jest," Lina responded in a light voice.

"You know what I mean," the man murmured to her. "Your father and grandfather know as well."

Lina was stunned speechless. She staggered backward, growing exceedingly unwell. She didn\'t like the presence of this older man. He knew much more than she did and only spoke in riddles.

With a shaky breath, Lina tried to excuse herself, but he continued on.

"This lifetime will end in another tragedy. Your heart has led you astray again. You\'ve fallen for the wrong lover," the old man insisted.

Before Lina could say anything, a hand slipped over her shoulder. She nearly screamed in fear. Raising her head, she was shocked. Kaden was standing right behind her. He held her firmly with a worried expression.

"You\'re pale, dove," Kaden murmured.

Lina didn\'t even realize he had entered the room. Then, she saw people eyeing him. In particular, with her. They were shocked at the sight of him.

Judging from the way they looked at him like he was an alien, she knew this behavior wasn\'t normal. When Lina met Krystal\'s large eyes, she knew she was right.

No one could take their eyes off of them. Not until Kaden raised his head and shot a lethal glare at everyone. Immediately, the chatter around them resumed. They didn\'t want to offend the man who ruled Ritan through a curtain. They all knew who he was.

Dehaven Corporation was the largest company in the entirety of Ritan. The most popular apps were created by them. The largest entertainment business, whether it was gaming, books, television, or video apps, was controlled by their subsidiaries. And the man sitting on top of that throne was Kaden DeHaven.

"When did you arrive?" Lina whispered.

"Just now. Did you not hear?" Kaden asked, rubbing his thumb soothingly on her skin. He saw the anxiety in her eyes, the fear that grappled her heart. Immediately, he was on high alert.

"Kaden DeHaven," the old man murmured in a disgusted tone.

"Creepy old people," Kaden muttered under his breath.

Kaden\'s grip on her tightened. This man was familiar. Kaden couldn\'t pinpoint where he had seen him before, but it certainly wasn\'t on Earth.

"Heed my words well, favored girl," the old man said to Lina.

Without another glance, he departed at the pace of a snail.

"Who is that?" Kaden asked Lina, standing in front of her to shield her from the sight of him. Now that the old man was gone, color returned to her face.

Lina worriedly glanced up at him. She looked like she had just seen a ghost.

Kaden\'s brows were taut. He grabbed her elbow and pulled her closer. She was visibly shaken up, but still maintained her expression.

"I\'ll tell you if you take me home," Lina whispered.

"You didn\'t even have to ask." Kaden entwined their fingers and pulled her to the doors.

Lina saw a choir and a beautiful woman by the doorway. They were speaking to the staff. When she made eye contact with the woman, Lina knew it was the soprano singer. Her end of the bargain was met.

Lina searched the crowd for Krystal. When their gaze collided, the two gave a curt nod. Then, Lina was whisked into the night.

- - - - -

"Are you alright?" Kaden asked her by the exit.

A luxurious black van was parked outside, the one meant for celebrities. The exit was empty, for the celebration wasn\'t over yet. Even the paparazzi hadn\'t arrived.

"Here, lean on me, dove of mine," Kaden reassured her.

Lina fell against him, burying her face into his chest. She breathed slowly in and out, for she was overwhelmed. His hand rubbed her back, up and down. His touch was warm and reassuring.

Kaden embraced her tenderly. His lips found her hair, kissing her gently. He wanted to know what had shaken her up so much. She was not usually like this.

"I want to leave," Lina suddenly said to him.

"We\'ll go anywhere you like," Kaden told her.

Kaden pulled her towards the car. He held the doors open for her. She slipped into the vehicle without another word. Then, he climbed in and instructed the chauffeur to drive.

The entire time, Lina sat in daunting silence. She was staring blankly at the black car seats. She could feel the light pass by her through the window. Kaden wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She felt her nerves ease. Just a little. She couldn\'t think, couldn\'t say anything. Her thoughts were swirling.

What did the old man mean? Why did he tell her that? Why did he know so much? There were so many unanswered questions. She cursed herself for being weak. She reacted horribly to surprises. She should\'ve stayed behind and interrogated him.

"I want to go to the Temple of the Favored," Lina said out of nowhere.

"To the Temple of the Favored then," Kaden told the chauffeur.

"Right away, Sir," the driver said.

Immediately, the car changed direction. They began to drive from the empty streets to the highway, for the Temple was on the other side of the city.

"Are you alright?" Kaden asked her. "Do you want water? Fresh air? Whatever you need, you shall have."

Lina said nothing. She simply leaned her head on his shoulder. She nibbled at her bottom lip, lost in heavy thoughts. She did not understand why the world worked against her. She thought she had chosen the right man. What did Atlantis\' grandfather mean by the wrong lover? She\'d die again, in this lifetime? Didn\'t Kaden say this was their last chance?

Lina made up her mind. She wasn\'t going to sit here and ponder over unanswered questions. When the sun rose tomorrow, she was going to interrogate the old man. But on her terms. When that happened, she\'d be prepared. She\'d be ready.