Chapter 1493

Kisa prodded, “Isn’t that a little too easy for him? You said you wanted to deliver a fatal blow. I want to know what it is.”

Adrien gave her a sharp glance. He was a master manipulator, and his calculating eyes hinted at a deeper game.

He chuckled. “I can’t spill the beans just yet. Where is the fun in that? But hey, you won’t have to wait much longer.”

Kisa felt let down.

She stood by the roadside for a while, then headed over to Mia’s place. With Christmas approaching, the streets were packed with shoppers. But when she arrived at Mia’s apartment, the silence and dim lighting felt almost suffocating.

Mia was alone, drinking in the living room. As soon as she saw Kisa, she broke into a sly smile.

“Long time no see,” Mia drawled as she pulled Kisa onto the couch. She offered her a drink with a smirk, “Come on, have a drink with me.”

Kisa declined. “No thanks. I have to drive later.”

“What’s there to worry about? Just call Gilbert to come pick you up. Or I could get someone to drop you off at home,’ Mia said.

But Kisa still shook her head. “It’s cold out. Just some hot water for me.”

Mia made a face. “How boring.”

Kisa smiled, looked upstairs and asked, “Is he still out cold?”

Mia paused her drinking and laughed low. “Yup, still out like a light.”

“Mia,” Kisa suddenly looked at her, “Let’s spend Christmas Eve together this year. We missed out last time, and I regretted it. And Blake… let’s all spend Christmas Eve together.”

Mia’s grip on her glass tightened momentarily before she lowered her eyes and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

“No thanks. I’m used to being by myself.”

Kisa wanted to say more, but Mia sneered, “I thought you were here to ask about GK, but it looks like you don’t give a damn about Gilbert.”

“I trust that you and Jensen have everything under control with GK’s shares and assets. I feel at ease, and I’m grateful for your help this time around,” Kisa replied.

Mia shook her head and smirked. “Don’t go thinking everyone is a saint. What if I don’t give it back to Gilbert?”

Kisa sighed and lowered her eyes. “If that happens, then it just means I misread you.”

Mia’s smile faltered, and she said nothing more. Kisa felt like she had gained some insight but did not want to dwell on it for too long.

Winter in Calthon was a brutal affair, colder even than Oceanville, and the snow had started to fall before Kisa even made it halfway home. By the time she pulled up to the Kooper residence, a thick layer of white had already blanketed the ground.

Kisa stepped out of her car, but the biting wind hit her like a punch to the gut. She hugged her coat tight and rushed toward the house. Despite it being only a little after 7 pm, the Kooper residence was dead quiet.

When Kisa walked into the living room, she found three children huddled together, their eyes red and puffy. No adults in sight.

“What is wrong?” Kisa asked, her voice laced with concern.

“Great-grandma is sick,” Ada replied, her voice quivering.

Kisa’s heart sank. She was about to head upstairs when Andrew suddenly grabbed her arm. “Ma’am, why did you do it? Why did you hurt my dad?”

Kisa’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“That mean aunt came over and told Great-grandma that you and some outsiders are causing my dad’s company to go under. Great-grandma got so mad she fell ill. Why did you hurt my dad, Ma’am?”

Ada cried, her voice shaking with emotion.

The words hit Kisa like a sucker punch. It was the first time the children had ever looked at her with such hatred, and she felt her heart break.