"I'm sorry, Mr. Carter," Tiara said, her voice slightly unsteady as she swallowed. "But I really need to go. As you can see, my sister is in an emergency."
William didn't move.
He stood there, still and composed, his gaze fixed on Thalia, who had kept her head lowered the entire time.
The air felt heavier.
Tiara's grip tightened around Thalia's hand. The urgency to leave grew stronger with every second under that stare.
"I'm sorry once again," she added quickly.
Without waiting for a response, she pulled Thalia along, supporting her as they moved to walk past him.
"Stop."
The single word was low and deep but enough to make both of them freeze mid-step.
William turned and walked toward them.
His steps were quiet, yet each one sent a shiver down their spines.
"I was told that I spoke to you earlier when I came here…" he said, stopping right in front of them.
A brief pause.
"But I find that strange." His gaze shifted, landing directly on Thalia. "I don't remember any of it."
Those words finally made Thalia lift her head. Though her body trembled slightly, she forced herself to meet his eyes.
"I—I…"
"I don't understand what you mean, Mr. Carter." Tiara cut in smoothly, stepping slightly in front of Thalia. "And I don't see the need to explain something that didn't happen."
Her grip on Thalia tightened.
"So please," she continued, her voice controlled despite the anxiety beneath it, "my sister needs medical attention."
She didn't dare let Thalia speak again. Because if she did, there was no telling what she might spill.
Tiara gulped and was ready to leave.
But they barely took a step before Thalia's arm was suddenly caught. Her movement stopped instantly.
Tiara froze. Slowly, she turned her head.
William stood behind them, his grip firm around Thalia's wrist.
"Who said you could leave?" he asked calmly.
A brief pause.
"No one leaves…" his voice lowered slightly, his gaze steady, "until I get the answer I need."
Thalia's fingers trembled slightly in his grip.
"Sis…" Her voice came out faint.
Tiara's head snapped toward her. "Lia?"
"I feel… dizzy…" Her body swayed forward.
"Lia!"
But before she could fall, an arm slipped around her waist, steadying her instantly.
"What are you doing, Mr. Carter?" Tiara stepped forward, trying to pull Thalia away, but his arm didn't budge.
"A 'thank you' would be enough," he replied calmly. "Though I do find it rather… interesting." His gaze lifted to Tiara. "You seem quite wary of me, Mrs. Kim. Is there something wrong?"
Before she could respond, he turned Thalia toward him. His arm slid securely around her waist and in one smooth motion, he lifted her.
Thalia's breath caught as her feet left the ground, her body instinctively leaning against him for support.
"I believe," he continued, his voice steady, "taking your sister to a doctor immediately would be the best option right now."
"Just give her to me…" Tiara insisted, reaching for Thalia's arm, when Thalia suddenly lifted her head.
"Sis…" she murmured, turning toward Tiara. "The bleeding stopped… and… and…"
Her voice trailed off. She blinked, then slowly turned her head back, only to realize how close he was.
Her breath hitched.
Their faces were just inches apart.
Only then did she notice that her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck.
"Oh—uh… sorry…" she stammered, her face heating up as she hurriedly let go.
But the moment she did, her body lost its balance.
She tilted backward.
"Careful," he said, his voice low and effortless.
His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her back instantly.
Thalia's breath caught as her lips nearly brushed against his.
She froze.
A single blink and their eyes locked.
"I suppose Miss Thalia Kim is doing better now?" William's deep voice reached her ears, making her eyes widen.
"Hic—!" She hiccupped suddenly.
Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.
"Mmph—" she muffled it, her face heating up even more.
Wriggling slightly in his hold, she avoided his gaze. "You can put me down now, Mr. Carter…"
"No."
That was his only reply.
He turned and carried her straight toward the elevator.
"What are you doing?! Put my sister down!" Tiara rushed after them, reaching out to pull Thalia from his arms.
William didn't even look back. He simply signaled with his eyes.
At once, his assistant, Beto, stepped in and blocked her path.
"Mrs. Kim, I ask for your cooperation," Beto said firmly. "Just now, Miss Thalia Kim violated our President—"
"Violated?" Thalia snapped, cutting him off in disbelief. "I—You—you mean I was the one who violated him?"
"Why?" William asked softly, his voice almost a whisper. "Are you denying it?"
"I mean…" Thalia faltered, panic creeping in as her breathing quickened. She glanced at her sister.
"She never met you!" Tiara cut in sharply, stepping forward. "You're lying. Mr. Carter, this is inappropriate. Just because you have power doesn't mean you can misuse it like this."
Her voice remained steady but her grip tightened.
They had never met.
That was the story.
And she had no intention of breaking it.
"So…" William's gaze never left Thalia. "You're saying that we—" he paused slightly, "you and I—have never met before?"
The air tightened.
"Beto," he continued calmly, "tell them what you told me earlier."
The moment those words fell, both sisters glanced at each other.
'Eye witness.'
That was always the problem.
If this had been before, Tiara would have handled it without hesitation, cleaning up any witness Thalia carelessly left behind.
But now, she has been human for two years. That was no longer possible.
Beto blinked, then quickly straightened as he looked at William. "Ah—yes, sir! Earlier… I believe Miss Thalia Kim did something to our President and made him forget everything that happened ten minutes prior."
He hesitated for a split second before continuing,
"And before that… I may have accidentally witnessed Miss Thalia Kim kissing our President."
"I did not! You were the one who kissed me first!"
The words burst out of Thalia before she could stop herself.
Silence.
Her eyes, Tiara's eyes, all widened.
'Oh no.'
William tilted his head slightly, a faint hint of amusement in his gaze.
"So…" he said calmly, "you're admitting that we've met before, aren't you?"