48. Killian's Hope

At night, the hot spring water rippled.

Tara was being held in a firm, lean embrace while the man gently massaged her waist, all while she was on a call with Chloe and Cassidy.

"I wasn't bullied, we made up."

Saying this, Tara tilted her head and looked up at Killian, her tone unable to hide her happiness: "Killian said he likes me very much. I misunderstood him before."

As the words fell, she only felt the grip of the large hand massaging her waist tighten slightly, and her earlobe was instinctively kissed by him as he leaned in from behind.

Tara recoiled, almost letting out a whimper, but fortunately, she held it in.

"He said he likes you and you just believed him?"

Cassidy's voice on the phone carried an obvious grit: "A man's mouth is a lying ghost. Who can't just say things?"

"In my view, he just sees that you're beautiful and wants to coax you, scamming you for your looks. You absolutely must not fall for it!"

Chloe also chimed in: "Exactly, baby. You still need to be a little careful. Absolutely don't let him have his way. As the saying goes, love without material substance is just a plate of loose sand."

"He wants to make up with you? How can just saying it be enough? At the very least, he has to put forward something practical!"

Cassidy: "Right, right, right. I’m telling you, dear daughter, guys as handsome as Killian are the easiest to turn bad, blah blah blah..."

Once the two of them started venting, there was no end to it. They kept reminding her to stay clear-headed, acting with earnest intentions.

Listening to them indirectly labeling Killian as a stinking scumbag, Tara suppressed her laughter and nodded: "Mhm, okay, I know... mm-hmm..."

The large hand at her waist suddenly moved to another position. Tara couldn't help but let out a soft hum, causing the water to ripple.

Consequently, Cassidy and Chloe on the other end of the line fell silent.

Tara tried to cover it up: "Um, I just..."

Before she could finish, Cassidy and Chloe seemed to take a sharp breath and said in unison: "Sorry for the interruption."

—Beep.

On the way back to Starry Cloud Manor, Tara remained silent, her heart filled with immense worry.

In her eyes, her relationship with Chloe and Cassidy was far more than just roommates; they were very good friends.

They truly cared for her and protected her.

If she were to marry Killian in the future, she would definitely invite them to be her bridesmaids.

But it seemed their impression of Killian had turned sour since yesterday.

This definitely wouldn't do; she had to think of a way to smooth things over.

She was lost in thought, completely failing to notice that the car had arrived at the building where Starry Cloud Manor was located.

It wasn't until the engine was turned off and Killian leaned over to unbuckle her seatbelt.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

He unbuckled her seatbelt and lightly flicked the tip of her nose.

Tara snapped out of it and gave him a smiling look. "Nothing much."

"Mhm. We're home. Let's go."

As they went upstairs, Tara was still thinking of ways to ease the relationship between Killian and her friends.

At the same time, Killian pressed the fingerprint lock and opened the door.

And then—

"Bang!"

A crisp explosive sound, accompanied by the slightly enthusiastic mechanical voice of X, suddenly rang out: "Tara, welcome home!"

Confetti rained down from the air, drifting onto Tara and passing before her eyes.

She stared blankly at the scene in the living room.

The lights weren't on, but on the round table in the center covered with a velvet tablecloth, orange candle flames swayed cheerfully, enough to illuminate the entire room.

Lush roses, enticing red wine served in clear crystal glasses, and exceptionally exquisite and delicious dishes...

Without a doubt, this was a romantic candlelit dinner.

"Welcome home, Tara."

Killian pulled her into his arms, his eyes smiling as he repeated the phrase.

Tara looked up at him quietly. After a moment, she said unceremoniously, "A candlelit dinner? Killian, you're so cheesy..."

However, even though she said that, the corners of her lips curled up uncontrollably. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his smooth, handsome jaw and said softly: "But I like it very much."

This moment of initiative drew a deep kiss from him.

Of course, it wasn't just that.

At the dining table, Tara looked at the black-gold card he placed in her hand, her eyes wide with surprise. "Killian, this?"

Killian met her gaze and explained: "My salary card. It contains all my savings. From now on, I'm handing it over to you to manage."

Tara’s eyes widened slightly.

Hand it over to her?

Are you kidding? Although she didn't have much worldliness, she understood the weight of a black-gold card.

If he gave it all to her, what about his huge company? How would he pay his employees' salaries in the future?

Tara immediately shook her head, trying to shove the card back to him. "No, I can't take this."

"Accept it." He shoved the card back into her hand with a tone that allowed no argument, his gaze seeing through everything.

"Don't worry about me being unable to pay salaries. Starstream’s finance department has sufficient funds. This is personal money; it’s for you to manage."

Looking at his undeniable gaze, Tara pursed her lips slightly and finally accepted it. "Alright then, I'll keep it for you. You can ask me for it when you need it."

Killian shook his head: "No need to keep it for me. As I said, you can use it however you wish."

It was just earning money; in his view, it wasn't a difficult task.

Since he had the ability, he would naturally give his girl the best.

In the future, there would only be more of these things. The future of Starstream wouldn't just be limited to the land of China.

Of course, these were trivial things.

In the past, he never thought he would like any girl in the future, nor did he dare to hope for things like love or family affection.

But it was different now.

He would work hard to get her to agree to become his wife. Perhaps in the future, they would have adorable babies and a happy, perfect family.

That was the beautiful joy of a family.

He watched her quietly, his sharp, cold eyelids lowered slightly. He was very gentle—on closer inspection, even affectionate.

Deep in his eyes, it was as if warm spring water had rippled out, making it impossible to refuse.

Tara’s small Adam's apple rolled slightly, and she finally curled her lips, flashing a smile at him: "Okay."

It was a beautiful dinner. X was also lucky enough to receive a piece of pretty little cake from the hostess.

Although it couldn't eat it, it still cherished the gift and hid it away in a small box.

The bright floor-to-ceiling windows reflected the bustling and brilliant night view of the city. After bathing, the hostess was held in the host's arms, being kissed tenderly and lingeringly.

He was very moved, his large hand rubbing over the beautiful and magnificent Midget Crabapple on the hostess's skin over and over.

The air grew hot and thick bit by bit.

Just as everything was about to be completely ignited, the cold doorbell suddenly rang.

Tara stiffened, hurriedly clutching her scattered dress, and leaned against Killian's chest with uneven breath: "D-did you invite a friend?"

Killian also seemed to remember something, and his expression was not good.

"It's your brother," he said in a heavy voice.

Tara: !!!