Dear Immortal Tyrant

After three days of no touching at all, with Kaden's patience being tested every single minute, they finally returned to the hospital for his personal examination. They'd utilize samples of his seed, thus escorting him into a clean room with magazines and television. But he didn't need any of that. He simply requested the company of his wife.

At his request, she blushed deeply and shoved him into the room alone. This man was crazy! She could hear his deep chuckle even from the other end of the corridor. Once all was done, the two left for a date.

"Are you certain you don't have to return to the company?" Lina asked during the car ride.

"They can function a day without me," Kaden mused. "Shouldn't you be worried about convincing Atlantis or Krystal Elit?"

Lina pressed her lips together. She turned her gaze to the car window and said nothing.. She was deep in thought. Once she pursued Atlantis and Krystal, her entry into the Heir Race was set. She would have to fight off the competition from her cousins and relatives.

Lina couldn't help but stare deeply outside. Did she want this life? Did she want to wake up at the same time every morning with the exact, same routine, and head to the office? Was that the life she craved?

Her fingers twitched. How long had it been since she last drew something? How long since she last picked up the violin strings? Or played chess?

"You're second guessing yourself," Kaden deadpanned. He knew her too well. 

"I can't help but wonder if being Chairwoman is a job I actually want," Lina admitted in a small voice. "Or, if I was backed into a corner by my grandmother and forced to make the decision. I feel like my grandfather has planned all of this. I prided myself on disobeying my grandmother but didn't realize that it would make me fall straight into my grandfather's trap."

"I want you to ask yourself if you truly want to be the Chairwoman of Yang Enterprise. Are you ready to manage the dark secrets your family hides? The schemes that they disguise at every corner? The arguments between shareholders? The constant meetings? The reports you have to review every single day? Caring for almost half a million employees?" Kaden shot at her.

There were too many responsibilities for Lina to shoulder. Did she want that? Was this the future she envisioned for herself? Was this her dream or was she living another's dream? 

Lina was torn at a crossroad. She knew her heart had made the decision long ago. She knew where her happiness lay. She knew all along when she picked up the pencil and let the hours fly by.

"I don't know," Lina admitted.

Kaden's gaze softened. Soon, the car stopped at a curb. Kaden opened the door for Lina and escorted her into a highrise building. Within it was a lavish restaurant serving whatever was the freshest catch of the day. The reservation here was booked six months in advance, with even the most exclusive executives unable to secure a proper seat.

It took Kaden a single phone call for them to get a spot here.

"Wait, isn't that…"

"Oh my, it is…"

"Look at that ring."

Every pair of eyes were trained on the couple. The second they heard the click of her heels and his smooth voice, their heads snapped to the entrance. The buzzing conversation died to a small murmur. No one could look away.

"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. DeHaven!" The manager instantly greeted them, lowering his head into a deep bow. "Please follow me."

Lina raised a slow brow at her address. Mrs. DeHaven. She never thought that name would follow her. Lina Yang DeHaven. If she was to marry Kaden, she'd take his surname. A Chairwoman of Yang Enterprise who didn't share the name. Now, that would cause an uproar.

As Lina walked past a table, someone caught her eye. Cedrick. His eyes were already following her. In the corner, he rose to his full height, ignoring the blind date he was forced to attend. She briefly glanced at the abandoned woman and vaguely recognized her as the granddaughter of Rina's close friends. 

"Lina," Cedrick called out like it was no big deal.

Eyes glued onto them quickly. Kaden slid a hand on Lina's waist, yanking her closer. He knew who Cedrick was. The son of that crazy Uncle of hers.

When Cedrick saw the predator beside his dear cousin, he paused. Kaden's eyes were like the black abyss, dark and terrifying. Nothing ever survived long enough to look deep within that abyss.

Cedrick shuddered at the chill. How did his cousin manage to marry one of the most frightening people of high society? He did not know.

Despite the warning signs, Cedrick made his way to the stunning couple. The manager warily guided them to the exclusive area in the restaurant. The poor man. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Escaping from your blind date already?" Lina mused, her eyes crinkled. 

Although Cedrick was her crazy Second Uncle's son, he's a good man—which was a damn miracle. Cedrick was righteous and amusing, but in a cold and conniving manner. He was a true Yang.

"Of course. Are you even a Yang if you don't run from a blind date set up by our family?" Cedrick chuckled.

Lina smiled to herself. Then, her smile dropped. Everett. Dead in an alleyway. Suddenly Kaden's grip on her waist felt like a leash.

"Since you're here, let's have a meal together, brother-in-law," Cedrick said chirpily like he wasn't crashing their date.

"I'd rather get indigestion another way," Kaden deadpanned in a solemn voice.

Cedrick blanched in disbelief. This man had guts. "But brother-in-law, we're going to be family soon. You should start investing in indigestion pills. You'll be seeing a lot more of me."

Kaden simply looked at the man with disgust in his eyes. 

"To think my dear cousin would be dining in the most luxurious room of the restaurant too," Cedrick mused. "Which poor VVIP guest did you threaten?"

Kaden left out the details about one of his people holding the man at gunpoint. Instead, he opened the door for his wife and helped her inside. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrists. 

Kaden's expression darkened. His eyes flashed with warning. No one grabbed what was his.

"Can we have a private talk, Lina?" Cedrick asked with an emphasis on 'private.' 

"No," Kaden spat out. 

Kaden furiously snatched Cedrick's wrist, tightening his grip until the man winced and hissed. Cedrick yanked his hand away from Lina.

"Cousin to cousin," Cedrick insisted, clutching his bruised hand. 

Lina glanced at Cedrick's wounded wrist. Her Second Uncle wasn't going to like that. Her chest skipped a beat. She nervously swallowed. Kaden squeezed her waist, reassuring her. She felt her turbulent heart slow.

"Where to?" Lina reluctantly said.

"There's a private terrace that overlooks the entire city," Cedrick explained. "It's on the same floor as the restaurant. Grandmother rented it for the blind date, but she's obviously gone."

Lina shifted her gaze towards the entrance of the restaurant. She knew this discussion was going to come, sooner or later. She'd rather have it in an area she could kill him in. Kidding... Of course. The idea of tossing him over the balcony was tempting, though. 

"Fine," Lina relented. "Let's have a chat, Cedrick. Cousin to cousin. Yang to Yang."