The South family's power was nothing to scoff at. Before long, a small boat came gliding toward the shore.

The bodyguards stood stiff-backed, hands behind them, eyes sharp and watchful as they forced Keira and Lewis down to the waterline. Once the boat steadied, the two were shoved aboard.

They glanced around, puzzled.

The boat looked small from the outside, but inside it was surprisingly well-equipped—plenty of food and water for nearly a week, life jackets, tools for navigation, even gear for emergencies at sea.

It wasn't much bigger than the vessel they'd taken to get here, but the design was just as complete, maybe even safer.

Keira exchanged a look with Lewis. Something was off.

Just moments ago, they'd been mocked as untrustworthy mainlanders, and now they were being handed a boat stocked like a rescue craft?

Was this really how the South family treated outsiders? If someone didn't know better, they'd think they were family. Surely Thomas wasn't doing all this just because Scarlet called them friends.

Family.

The thought struck Keira like lightning. She looked at Lewis, and he gave the faintest nod.

Her fingers, hidden behind her back, twisted slightly, and the rope binding her slipped free. She stepped quickly off the boat before it could shove off, lifted her chin, and called out, "Mr. South, may I have a word?"

to say. Get out of here. This isn't your

gone after I

torn. At last he waved a hand, and the bodyguards

down, walked up to him, and in

eyes flickered with alarm, but he recovered fast, lowering his voice with a scowl. "What did you

I

took a step back, letting out a short, cold laugh. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Don't think pretending closeness will change anything. I'm not

"Then why stock that boat so carefully? Since when does the South family care this much about the safety

was just the boat

us gone, you could've just thrown us out of the compound," she pressed. "Why insist on escorting us away?

pause, he said curtly, "We're done

turned as if

you recognized me. Even if you send me away today, I'll find a

looked at her. A long sigh escaped him. She was his sister's daughter—how could he not see it in her face,

tangled mess. He had schemed for years and still couldn't free his sister. What chance did Keira have, with no footing here? Keeping her close might only destroy her. That was why he wanted

he hadn't expected her to be this sharp, this resolute. So much

running away won't solve anything. And I will take my mom away," Keira said, her eyes cutting through

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