Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Travis snapped back to his senses.
Arya was right.
Arya was right. He was at the peak of his power now, while the Keller family had already fallen from grace. Without hard evidence, there was absolutely nothing they could do to bring him down.
He could give up his celebrity status, but he couldn’t let the Keller family be dragged even deeper into the mud.
“You’re right, Arya,” he admitted through gritted teeth.
Stephen spoke up then, his brows furrowed. “Your uncle covered his tracks perfectly. I was even fooled back then. Without proof, going after him will only make us more vulnerable.”
Travis’s rage surged again, his eyes bloodshot. “So we’re just supposed to let it go?”
“Of course not,” Arya said calmly, picking up right where he left off. Her eyes gleamed coldly. “He destroyed our father. I’m going to make him pay back tenfold–no, a hundredfold.”
She then turned to Stephen, her expression cool and collected. “Dad, when you gave me that look earlier in front of Uncle Jared, were you trying to tell me something?”
Stephen nodded thoughtfully. “Exactly. Jared’s not smart enough to cover every angle on his own. He has an accomplice. And that person is the real threat–the one who actually wants to destroy the Keller family.”
He swept his eyes around the room. “That’s why I’m going to keep playing dumb until we find out who’s behind it all.”
As he spoke, his gaze flicked to Finn.
The truth was, in Flodes City, the only people with enough power to destroy the Keller family were the Barnetts.
By saying all this in front of Finn, Stephen was testing the man to see if he was really someone they could trust.
“Sir,” Finn said, reading Stephen’s thoughts without a flicker of hesitation. His strikingly handsome face was set with unwavering resolve. “Leave it to me. I’ll find out who’s backing Jared.”
“Good. Thank you,” Stephen replied without reservation.
After a few polite exchanges, Arya asked Maria to stay behind and look after her father. Then she took Finn’s arm and headed downstairs with Travis.
She had something to say to Travis.
In the Living Room, Arya looked Travis straight in the eye on the sofa.
She said, “I’ll handle the investigation into Uncle Jared myself. I don’t want you getting involved.”
Travis was a public figure. If he got tangled up in this mess, public opinion could easily turn against him.
Now that they knew Jared was behind both the company’s downfall and their father’s suicide attempt, she would handle it her own way.
But Travis didn’t even hesitate. “Arya, how could you possibly go up against a snake like him? Let me do it.”
He didn’t want his little sister caught up in this web of deceit. She was so bright, so kind–she deserved a carefree life, like a princess in her own fairytale
“Travis, trust me. I can handle him.” Arya’s gaze didn’t waver for a second.
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Chapter 41
But Travis shook his head firmly. “No way. I’m not letting you take that risk.”
Their argument was quickly cut off by a calm, aristocratic voice. “I already said, I’ll take care of it.”
The moment Finn spoke, the whole room went silent.
Arya blinked at him, surprised. “You’re so busy with work. Are you seriously offering to help?”
She had assumed his earlier offer was just to reassure her father. She hadn’t taken it seriously.
But now he sounded like he meant it.
Digging into this would take time–lots of time.
He was a CEO with a packed schedule. Why would he get involved in the Keller family’s drama?
Finn met her gaze, those deep ocean eyes steady and sure. “The Keller family’s problems are my problems. Of course, I have time.”
Before Arya could respond, he added in a low voice, “Besides, didn’t we agree that once your dad woke up, you’d move in with me? Ready to keep your promise?”
Arya’s eyelashes fluttered.
She had only said that to get him off her back. She hadn’t expected him to actually remember.
Travis, on the other hard, shot to his feet. “Mr. Barnett, Arya’s not used to sleeping anywhere but home. She’s picky about her bed. She won’t sleep a wink if she moves in with you. Let’s wait a bit before making any big decisions, yeah?”
He didn’t trust Finn one bit. A man that eager to get Arya under his roof couldn’t possibly have pure intentions.
Just the thought of his sister being taken advantage of made him break out in a cold sweat.
He thought, ‘I must protect her!‘
But Finn merely gave a subtle smile. “It’s fine. If Arya can’t sleep at night, I can always keep her entertained with games.”
Arya’s cheeks flushed bright red.
Yeah, right. She knew exactly what kind of “games” he meant.
She thought, ‘That man definitely had bad intentions.‘
Just then, a shrill ringtone shattered the tension.
Finn picked up his phone. After a glance at the screen, he answered calmly. Whatever was said on the other end made him look toward Arya. “Something came up. I have to step out. I’ll have Robert swing by to pick up your luggage.”
“No need,” Arya waved him off. “I’ll bring it over myself. You go handle your business.”
“Alright.” Without pushing further, Finn turned and walked out, his long stride confident as ever.
Travis watched his retreating figure with a scowl. Arya, are you seriously moving in with that guy? He looks like he hasn’t gotten laid in months–living with him is a disaster waiting to happen!”
“Haven’t gotten laid…” Arya looked up at Travis, something clicking in her mind.
Travis and Finn were about the same age–young, healthy men. And yet, Travis had never had a girlfriend. Not once.
She thought back to the time she mentioned men’s health and Travis practically bolted from the room. Her suspicions grew
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21:56 Fri, 13 Jun B
Chapter 41
Now that their father was awake, it was probably time to help Travis get that little issue sorted out.
She began, “Travis, you’re 26 already, and I’ve never seen you date anyone. Is there something wrong with you… physically?”
“Arya! What the hell are you talking about?” Travis turned beet red. “I just remembered–I’ve got something I need to finish up at the office. Gotta run!”
But as he tried to escape, Arya grabbed his wrist and began checking his health.
A few seconds later, her expression shifted to pure disbelief. “Travis… how long has it been like this?”
Travis looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.
He thought, ‘Discussing this issue with my sister? Kill me now.‘
Before he could say anything, a cheerful voice came from the door. “Arya! We heard your dad woke up–Malcolm and I came to visit!”
