Chapter 17: We’re All Sisters

"Sean, don't do that again. It’s easy to hurt the relationship."

Back at the dorms, Tara handed the medicine she had just bought to Sean, speaking with earnest concern.

Sean raised an eyebrow. "It was just a normal spar between guys. What relationship is it going to hurt?"

He handed the medicine back to Tara. "Alright, it’s a minor injury. It’ll be fine tomorrow; no need for medicine."

"I’m going to shower," he said, grabbing a towel and walking toward the bathroom without looking back. "Take the medicine to Killian. That guy has fair skin; his bruises show up way more clearly than mine."

Tara didn't realize he was just being a stubborn "tough guy"; she thought he was genuinely worried about Killian.

"At least you have a bit of a conscience."

She muttered, left the room, and knocked on the door next door.

The first knock went unanswered.

Maybe he didn't hear it?

Tara raised her hand, using a bit more force, about to knock a second time.

But at that moment, the door opened unexpectedly.

Tara’s outstretched hand couldn't be pulled back in time.

In a flash, her knuckles brushed against a firm, supple texture.

Tara stared blankly at the sight before her.

Within her view were well-defined, powerful chest muscles, still glistening with droplets of water. The water trailed down to a tight, lean waist and abdomen, tracing the sharp lines of his chiseled six-pack all the way down...

Killian had actually come out wearing nothing but a towel?

Tara blinked. Looking up, she met his eyes.

At this moment, those phoenix eyes—usually as still as an ancient well—were filled with obvious surprise. His eyes, normally long and sharp, looked rounder and larger than usual.

Tara blinked, about to speak, when...

"Bang!"

The door was slammed shut without mercy. The force was so decisive it created a gust of wind that sent the bangs on Tara’s forehead flying.

Tara rubbed her nose, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Killian’s body is actually pretty amazing.

But then again, we’re all sisters, there’s no need to be so shy, right?

A moment later, the door reopened. Killian, who had just been in a towel, was now wearing a white T-shirt and black trousers, covering himself up completely.

He looked at her expressionlessly. "What is it?"

Tara took a conscious step back and spoke with a gentle, obedient expression.

"This is medicine for bruises and injuries."

She handed him the boxes of medicine, emphasizing with great care, "My brother specifically asked me to bring it to you. He hopes you aren't angry with him."

Killian lowered his eyes, staring silently at the medicine boxes for two seconds before suddenly curling his lips. "Your brother asked you to send this?"

Tara couldn't read the emotion in his eyes.

But seeing the faint smile on his lips, she felt that her attempt to atone for her brother’s "sins" had worked.

As expected, this family would fall apart without me!

Thinking to herself smugly, she squinted her eyes and nodded seriously. "Mhm!"

Killian fell silent.

He just stared at her quietly. Then, under her expectant gaze, he asked calmly, "Thanks. How much was it? I'll transfer the money to you."

Tara shook her head and said with a beaming smile, "No charge. After all, we're all fam—" family.

Before she could finish, she was caught by Killian’s half-smiling gaze. "We’re all what?"

Tara choked for a moment, her mind racing. Then, with a sudden flash of inspiration, she continued, "After all, we're all sisters!"

Killian: "???"

In the afternoon, at the Art Department.

"Killian’s aura today is terrifying!" Joy, who had just come down from the Chief Planner's office, lamented.

A colleague teased, "When is his aura

not

terrifying?"

"It’s different. Today feels like it’s been super-sized!"

Joy’s expression was exaggerated. "Guess what happened when I went into his office just now?"

The colleague was curious. "What?"

"I was actually scolded by him—for the first time ever!"

Recalling the scene, Joy’s adrenaline began to pump, and her tone became involuntarily excited.

"Oh my god, you have no idea. The way he scolds people is so intense. He doesn't use a single curse word, but he can dress you down to the point where you just want to drop dead right there. Do you get it?"

The colleague was intrigued. "Whoa, that’s impressive. What did he say?"

"Well..."

Nearby, Tara, who was currently drawing a character for the game, slowed her movements. Her ears perked up as she listened curiously.

However, just as it was getting to the good part, Director Liu Qing suddenly walked over and tapped on her desk.

Tara looked up in confusion. "What is it, Director?"

"I assume you've finished reading the game settings Killian sent out. Have you thought about how you're going to draw them?"

As Liu Qing spoke, her gaze fell upon the computer screen.

When she saw the nearly complete character sketch, her eyes lit up. "This is quite good. Which character is this?"

"Thank you," Tara explained with a smile. "It’s Light-In."

Light-In was one of the five male leads in

Bond of Love

. His setting was the progenitor of the vampire race, and in the entire game, he was the hardest lead to romance.

Hearing this, Liu Qing narrowed her eyes with interest. "Nice. Even though it's just a sketch, I can tell the style is beautiful and unique."

No wonder Killian was so decisive in letting this inexperienced girl take the lead artist role right away.

Her style was indeed one of a kind and a perfect fit for this game.

Initially, Liu Qing had been a bit resentful about this "parachuted" lead artist, but she felt much better now.

"Killian happens to want to discuss the concept art with you. He’s the Chief Planner. Since you have some ideas, you should take this opportunity to communicate with him."

Tara was surprised. "Right now?"

"Mhm."

"Killian, you wanted to see me?"

Three minutes later, in the Chief Planner's office.

Tara looked at the handsome man in the office chair, whose aura was like an iceberg. Her mind suddenly filled with the "Famous Quotes of the Killian Family" that Joy and the others had just been discussing.

She couldn't help but shiver.

"Cold?" Killian asked with a half-smile, his dark gaze landing on her face.

"No." After chanting 'We're family, no need to be afraid' in her heart several times, Tara said, "Killian, what did you need me for?"

"Liu Qing said you've already sketched one of the male leads."

He raised his hand, his long fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "Bring it here. Let me see."

It was a very casual gesture, but Tara had the illusion that his fingers were tapping directly on her heart.

Not daring to hesitate, she immediately brought her laptop forward and showed him the sketch.

His gaze fell upon it, scanning it meticulously.

The process lasted for several seconds.

Under Tara’s nervous gaze, he finally spoke. "It’s well drawn."

Tara let out a small sigh of relief.

But before she could finish that sigh, he continued: "Unfortunately, he doesn't look like a cold and calculating vampire."

His eyes curved as he met Tara’s bewildered gaze, his lips parting in a smile that felt like a spring breeze. "So, redraw it."

Tara: "???"