NOVEL NEXT Chapter 684 - 684 683
684 Chapter 683
Keira was speechless.
Wait, did Erin just casually spill a South family secret like that?
Keira stared at Erin, wanting to say something, but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth the effort. Instead, she said, “So, if I make you four dishes, you’ll tell me four secrets?”
“Deal!” Erin answered cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with childlike innocence. The look was so pure that Keira almost felt guilty, as if she were tricking a kid.
Keira was silent again.
She stood up and walked toward the kitchen, with Erin trailing behind.
Keira’s cooking style was spontaneous. She glanced at the ingredients left in the kitchen and said, “Alright, for the first dish, I’ll make you a rice bowl with braised meat.”
She grabbed some pork ribs, tossed them into a clay pot, prepped everything quickly, and then looked at Erin. “First secret, start talking.”
Erin didn’t hesitate. “You know how the South family estate can’t be found on any map? Not even on satellite images?”
Keira nodded. “Yeah, I noticed.”
Erin grinned. “Well, the reason you can’t find it is because the South family’s land is cloaked! They’ve developed a kind of camouflage tech that makes their property blend seamlessly with its surroundings, so on any map or satellite image, it just looks like either land, ocean, or forest—whatever’s around it.”
Keira’s eyes narrowed. “So which one is it? Land, ocean, or forest?”
Erin gave her a sly smile. “That’s the second secret! What’s the next dish?”
Keira rolled her eyes and pulled a live fish from the water. “How about a fish stew?”
“Yay, that sounds amazing!” Erin clapped her hands excitedly.
Fish stew took a bit more work, so while Keira was cleaning and prepping the fish, Erin rambled on, “I saw the latest news about you. Olsen Group shares took a dive, and yet you don’t seem worried at all! And Lewis over here looks as calm as ever. It makes me think there’s something big going on behind the scenes!”
Keira’s eyebrow twitched.
Erin chuckled. “So I’m guessing—hasn’t there been word that Dr. Brandt is returning from overseas?”
The knife in Keira’s hand froze mid-cut. She turned around, and the blade was suddenly so close to Erin’s face that one more inch would’ve left a nasty cut on that smooth cheek.
Keira’s eyes were icy. “I’m warning you—don’t mess with them.”
These scientists had endured years of public disgrace for the sake of their country. Now that they finally had the chance to come home, they deserved to do so safely.
But Erin wasn’t fazed. She just kept smiling. “Relax! I’m on your side, remember? My job here is to support Crera, and Crera getting stronger means I get more resources, too! So trust me, I’m not the one blocking their return.”
Keira’s eyes narrowed even further. “So you’re saying…”
“I told you already, there are nine candidates for the South family inheritance. Besides you, me, and Vera, there are still six others who are eyeing you like a hawk.” Erin casually picked up a cucumber from the counter and took a loud, crunchy bite.
Keira frowned.
It clicked for her then. She immediately pulled out her phone and called Uncle Olsen. “Dad, can we pretend to cut ties for four days?”
“What?” he responded, bewildered.
“Just four days.”
“…I guess? How exactly do you plan to do that?”
Erin’s earlier words might’ve sounded like a threat, but they were actually a warning!
14:41
After explaining things to her master, Keira ended the call and turned back to Erin. “Thanks.”
“Just post something on social media.”
Keira hung up without waiting for more questions. Next, she dialed her master’s number. “Hey, Master, can we also pretend we’re cutting ties for four days?”
Her master’s voice was filled with exasperation. “What mess are you stirring up this time? The sect can’t keep covering for you, you know.”
Keira sighed. “It’s just that someone reminded me that the better I look in public, the more suspicious it makes me seem.”
Erin was right. The other South family heirs had no idea that Uncle Olsen, Lewis, and her master were fiercely protective of her. Seeing those three standing by her so openly was bound to make them suspect Dr. Brandt’s involvement.
After all, old Mr. Sims was labeled a traitor because of Dr. Brandt’s case, and Keira’s defense of him would only raise more eyebrows.
The whole mess could only be cleaned up by proving Dr. Brandt’s innocence. It was like old Mr. Sims—those who knew the truth were forced to stay silent while he endured relentless pressure in his isolated post. Only by keeping up appearances could they convince outsiders that they were truly stuck in a tough spot.
Erin’s earlier words might’ve sounded like a threat, but they were actually a warning!
After explaining things to her master, Keira ended the call and turned back to Erin. “Thanks.”
Erin immediately flashed a cheeky grin. “A verbal thank you isn’t enough! If you’re really grateful, how about another dish?”
Keira paused. “Fine.”
Erin blinked in surprise. “Wait, you’re that agreeable? You’re not planning to poison the food, are you? Now I’m suddenly scared to eat it!”
Keira deadpanned. “Then don’t eat.”
Erin giggled. “No way! Even if it’s poisoned, I’d still eat every bite.”
“….”
Keira shot her an exasperated look. “Alright, spill the next South family secret.”