47. Winning Over the Brother

"Brother, w-why are you here?"

In front of the sofa, Tara sat as upright and well-behaved as an elementary student, looking at him with trepidation.

Leo didn't speak; his gaze was fixed on her neck and collarbone, which were only half-hidden by her long hair.

It was a futile effort—he had seen basically everything he was supposed to see and everything he wasn't.

He took a nearly imperceptible deep breath, turned his head with a grim expression, and looked at Killian: "You're a fucking animal. Tara is only nineteen—how could you lay a hand on her?"

"I guess every word of caution I gave you went straight out the other ear, didn't it?"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, even slamming his hand onto the coffee table. He cursed, "I should have had you castrated long ago to eliminate any future trouble!"

Tara: "..."

Help, my brother is so scary.

Facing his explosive rage, Killian remained perfectly stable.

He handed him the coffee brewed by X and said word for word: "I'm sorry, but I will take responsibility for Tara."

Leo didn't take the coffee. "Responsibility? How are you going to take responsibility?"

"You can't even take care of your fucking self—"

Killian had said he wasn't here to put them on trial; now it seemed that was just a comforting lie.

Tara's lips parted, and she finally couldn't help but say to Leo, "Brother, don't be angry."

She hesitated for two seconds, then, just like when she was a child, she sat beside him, hugged his arm, and shook it gently. Looking up with a pleading expression, she acted spoiled:

"Killian and I genuinely like each other. He treats me very well and is a good person. He’s helped me so many times before."

Seeing Leo's expression remain heavy, Tara remembered something. She immediately jumped up, ran to the bedroom, and retrieved the black-gold card Killian had given her, placing it in front of him.

"Look, Brother! Killian gave me all of his money. He’s really serious about loving me!"

Tara worked frantically to win him over, looking at Leo with puppy-dog eyes: "Brother... big brother..."

"Fine, it's not like I'm going to eat him."

Leo pulled her arm away and rubbed her head helplessly. His eyes—usually as gentle as a spring breeze—looked sternly at Killian. His tone was very serious:

"I don't object to you being with Tara, but if you ever dare to fail her, treat her poorly, or make her sad, our brotherhood is over."

"When that time comes, I certainly won't let you off. Killian, you'd better remember that!"

"I will never fail her," Killian said, looking up at Tara. His deep, dark eyes were resolute: "Unless I die."

Tara froze, then puffed out her cheeks. She sat next to him and grabbed his hand. "Pah, pah, pah! What's with the 'dying' talk? Don't say such nonsense!"

She emphasized anxiously, "Don't you ever say things like that again!"

Watching her angry look, the corners of Killian's lips turned up warmly. He squeezed her hand back and said, "Mhm, I won't say it again."

Leo squinted slightly as he watched their interaction, the corners of his mouth twitching into an almost imperceptible smile. Then, he finally picked up the coffee Killian had offered and looked at him meaningfully:

"Two months from now, after Tara finishes her final exams..."

Killian looked up at him quietly, waiting for the rest without a word.

Leo set down the cup, his voice having returned to complete calmness: "You will come back to Jing with me and Tara to meet the elders."

Killian understood the underlying meaning of "meeting the elders" and what he was expected to do.

Naturally, it was already part of his plan.

He nodded. "Okay."

The low-pressure atmosphere vanished instantly. Tara breathed a sigh of relief, then happily picked up a piece of fruit with a fork and fed it to Leo, saying with a grin, "Brother, have some fruit."

Leo let out a chuckle and rubbed his sister's head again, eating the fruit she offered to give her face.

"Whew—"

An hour later, having finally seen Leo off, Tara let out a long breath.

Killian wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his head gently on hers. "It’s midnight. Are you sleepy? Should I have X warm up some milk for you?"

Usually at this hour, Tara would have been asleep long ago.

Now, she shook her head and led him by the hand to the sofa, nesting in his arms to comfort him:

"Killian, don't mind what my brother said earlier."

"Actually, I think he’s satisfied with you. He even hinted for you to meet the elders. He’s just..."

"I know."

Killian gave her a light kiss on the lips, his eyes smiling: "I’ll be on my best behavior."

Tara blinked, instinctively licking the lips he had just kissed. Cute dimples appeared on her cheeks. "Don't worry, Killian. You're so outstanding; my elders will definitely like you."

That night, Killian held his girl and slept exceptionally soundly.

Ever since she moved in, the nightmares that had plagued him for years had never reappeared.

Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction.

It was time to put a proposal on the agenda.

Of course, she was only nineteen. She might be fearful of entering the hall of marriage so early.

He couldn't be rash; he might scare her. He needed to test her attitude toward marriage first before making careful plans.

"Mr. West, here are all the recent updates and movements of the young master."

In Country M, at the West family's private hospital.

Weston looked at his eldest grandson, Bentley, who lay pale on the bed. His eyes—usually sharp—were uncontrollably covered with traces of fatigue and age.

"Killian seems to care a lot about that girl."

He smiled, the wrinkles shifting on his aged face. "A man without love or emotion is the most terrifying; this is good."

He raised his hand and gently stroked Bentley's significantly thinner face, saying calmly, "Make the arrangements. I want to go see that child."

"Yes, Mr. West."

"Achoo!"

Walking out of the Dean's office, Tara couldn't stop a sneeze.

Chloe and Cassidy, who were waiting outside, couldn't help but look worried.

"What’s wrong, Tara? Why do you look so pale? What did the Dean want with you?"

Tara rubbed her nose and gave them a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, it's just a small cold from the changing seasons. The Dean had good news."

"He wants me to paint the new art wall for the school and offered me a very generous fee."

Hearing this, Chloe and Cassidy were shocked, then immediately grew happy for her:

"Oh my god, really? Tara, you're amazing!"

"Yeah, the art wall is so significant for the school! You know, the people responsible for it in the past were all famous artists specially hired for the job!"

"This is the Dean's recognition of your strength; it's a symbol of honor!"

"That’s our Tara! You’re definitely going to be a famous painter in the future, haha!"

The girls talked and laughed as they walked away.

Behind them, Seraphina watched their retreating figures coldly. The resentment in her eyes was like a sharp blade, wishing it could pierce through that slender figure.

"Pah, what is she so proud of!"

Summer’s expression was indignant. "The Dean is so biased. Your strength is clearly much better than that little bitch’s, yet he still gave her the chance. It’s so unfair!"

"I really hope the Heavens open their eyes and give that little bitch some bad luck—it’d be best if she messed the whole thing up!"

"Yes..." Seraphina said in a low, dark voice: "I really hope the Heavens open their eyes."