Chapter 374: Advice For An Older Brother

"You are not in Hell, Edith. But your spirit and your bloodline belong to me."

That single statement was enough to freeze Edith in her tracks.

Gavriel continued, "And right beside me is your descendant."

Slowly, Edith lifted her head and her gaze moved from Gavriel before finally settling on Aliana.

A shocked gasp escaped her lips as she stared at the beautiful woman before her.

Edith’s expression shifted from disbelief to something that looked almost like overwhelming emotion.

"You..." she whispered.

Her hand rose to cover her mouth as her translucent eyes began to well with tears.

"You... finally came."

....

Meanwhile, in the high-end shopping district of Astoria on West Avenue, Jade and Winston made their way toward the car, carrying armfuls of shopping bags.

It hadn’t been her plan to go on a shopping spree, but after being cooped up for so long and surviving on Aliana’s borrowed wardrobe, she had eagerly seized the chance to buy her own clothes. Along with thoughtful gifts for the four people she was currently living with.

After all, her bank accounts had finally been unfrozen, and with her business meetings concluded, she wanted to make the most of her freedom while Winston was by her side.

More than anything, the retail therapy served as a distraction from the conversation she had with Owen only a couple of hours ago...

"Which is why you need to drop whatever feelings... you might be catching for Aliana."

She remembered the suffocating silence that had fallen over their table the second she uttered those bold words.

For a single heartbeat, she had caught a rare glimpse of genuine surprise cracking Owen’s calm facade.

But he smoothed it over instantly, retreating behind his impenetrable wall of cold elegance.

Slowly, his lips curled into a faint, amused smile. "Feelings for Aliana, you say?"

"Yes," Jade insisted.

"And how did you reach such a dramatic conclusion? Pray tell," Owen asked, tilting his head slightly.

Jade swallowed hard under his sharp, piercing gaze. But she refused to cower. "I saw it... I saw the way you look at her."

"What kind of look?" Owen asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"You looked at her as if she were the only person in your line of sight," Jade said softly. "Like no one else existed or was even worth looking at. It was the kind of look a man gives to his lover... or the object of his obsession. I know you, brother. I have never seen you look at anyone like that before, not even any of your past girlfriends. So I am asking you to stop before it is too late."

"When and where did you supposedly see me looking at her like that?" Owen asked coldly.

"On the television... when the livestream was ending. Please don’t deny it. Just... Aliana isn’t someone you can casually approach anymore, brother. She is someone’s wife... someone who is a very powerful man. Gavriel will not take it lightly if you harbour such thoughts about his wife."

Another uncomfortable silence stretched between them, broken only by the server placing two cups of coffee on their table before quietly stepping away.

Owen’s jaw clenched subtly, and he drew in a long breath to compose himself before leaning back against his seat. "I do not know what you think you saw, Jade, but you are misinterpreting it. I do not feel that way about Aliana."

Jade frowned, opening her mouth to push back, but Owen cut her off. "I respect her. I respect the fierce businesswoman she is, and I enjoy working with her. I simply want to become her trusted ally so we can build a strong professional partnership, and perhaps learn a thing or two along the way." He paused, his gaze hardening. "Beyond that, I have no interest in her."

Jade studied his eyes.

His words were convincing, almost perfectly so. Yet something about his gaze had changed.

They were no longer as calm as they usually were.

There was something restless hiding beneath that composure, something he was carefully keeping out of sight that didn’t reassure her in the slightest.

Owen noticed her expression and raised an eyebrow. "You don’t look convinced."

"Because I am not," Jade admitted, her tone laced with deep concern. "Owen, Aliana has been through a lot. After everything she has endured, she has finally found some peace and happiness in her life."

"Jade, aren’t you being a bit absurd?" Owen countered. "If I truly wanted to be with her, don’t you think I would have accepted when our parents proposed an arranged marriage between us years ago? Why would I have turned it down back then?"

Jade pressed her lips into a thin line before answering, "Maybe you didn’t want her back then, but you do now. People change, Owen!"

She let out an exasperated sigh and met his gaze squarely. "Look, if you truly don’t feel anything for her, then good. But if you do... let me make one thing very clear... I will always prioritise my friend’s happiness, and I will not stand by if anyone tries to destroy it."

Jade pushed herself to her feet. "I hope you take my warning seriously, Owen. Gavriel is not someone you want to mess with, and he is fiercely protective of his wife. Because, brother... I definitely won’t be able to save you when he retaliates."

Owen’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before his expression softened into a faint smile.

"Look at you, all grown up and giving me advice." Rising from his chair, he gave her a smooth nod. "Very well, Jade. You have made your point, and I have heard you. Since I can see that stubborn streak in your eyes... the one telling me nothing I say will change your mind, I won’t waste my breath trying to convince you. I have no romantic inclinations toward your friend, and time will prove me right."

"If that’s the case, then I wish you well." Jade gave him a nod. "I shall take my leave."

Owen stepped forward and pulled her into a brief embrace.

Jade went stiff in his arms for a split second before he leaned in, whispering close to her ear, "Head back home as soon as possible, Jade. Don’t get into trouble."

He drew back and released her, leaving Jade to blink in confusion at his cryptic parting words before she turned and walked away.