Chapter 4 The Photograph

The living room of the Kingsley mansion had never felt so quiet.

Clara Bennett stood frozen, her eyes locked on the phone in Ethan Kingsley's hand.

On the screen was the news article.

A blurred photograph.

A woman leaving a corporate building in Sydney.

Even though the image wasn't clear, the resemblance was unsettling.

Ethan lowered the phone slowly.

His sharp grey eyes never left Clara's face.

"Well?" he said calmly.

Clara forced herself to breathe.

"It's a blurry photo," she replied. "Half the women in Sydney probably look like that."

Ethan studied her for another moment.

He was a man used to reading people.

Boardrooms, negotiations, hostile takeovers-he had built an empire by spotting lies before they were spoken.

Yet Clara Bennett stood in front of him with an expression that was frustratingly unreadable.

Before he could press further-

A loud crash echoed from the kitchen.

Clara spun around.

"Oh no."

The twins.

She hurried down the hallway.

Ethan followed a moment later.

Inside the kitchen, Liam stood on a chair reaching toward the freezer while Isla tried to hold the door open.

On the floor was a fallen bowl and a trail of ice cubes.

Clara rushed forward.

"Liam! Isla!"

The twins froze.

Isla pointed at the freezer.

"You said there was ice cream."

Clara closed her eyes briefly.

"I said we would ask first."

Liam looked unapologetic.

"But we were hungry."

Ethan leaned against the doorway, watching the scene quietly.

Clara turned to him with an embarrassed sigh.

"This is exactly why I didn't want them running around a mansion."

Ethan crossed his arms.

"They're exploring."

"They're destroying things."

"They're children."

Clara paused.

That was not the answer she expected.

Ethan walked over and opened the freezer properly.

He pulled out a small tub of vanilla ice cream.

Both twins stared at him with wide eyes.

"You're giving it to them?" Clara asked.

Ethan shrugged.

"They were determined enough to attempt a kitchen heist."

Liam grinned proudly.

Ethan handed them two small bowls.

"Sit at the table," he instructed.

To Clara's surprise, they obeyed immediately.

Within seconds they were happily eating.

Clara stared at Ethan.

"How did you do that?"

Ethan looked mildly confused.

"Do what?"

"They never listen that quickly."

Ethan glanced at the twins.

"They just needed someone to give a clear instruction."

Clara laughed softly.

"You should try parenting sometime."

The moment the words left her mouth, the room went quiet again.

Ethan's expression hardened slightly.

Clara quickly turned away and began picking up the fallen bowl.

"Sorry," she muttered. "That came out wrong."

Ethan didn't respond.

Instead, his phone vibrated again.

He checked the message.

A name appeared on the screen.

Daniel Hartley.

Ethan stepped away from the kitchen before answering.

Clara watched him from the corner of her eye.

"Talk," Ethan said quietly into the phone.

On the other end, Daniel's voice sounded tense.

"You've seen the article?"

"Yes."

"It's getting attention fast," Daniel said. "Investors are asking questions."

Ethan walked toward the glass wall overlooking the ocean.

"About the rival company?"

"Yes."

"And something else."

Ethan's tone sharpened.

"What?"

Daniel hesitated.

"Some people think the woman in the photo... is living in your house."

Ethan's gaze slowly shifted toward Clara.

She was sitting beside Liam and Isla now, helping them wipe melted ice cream from the table.

For a brief moment, she looked nothing like a powerful business rival.

She looked like a tired mother.

But Ethan had learned long ago that appearances were often deceptive.

"Find out who runs that company," he said quietly.

"We're trying," Daniel replied. "They're hiding behind shell corporations."

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"Then dig deeper."

He ended the call.

When he turned back toward the kitchen, Clara was watching him.

"You're investigating them," she said.

Ethan didn't deny it.

"They're targeting my company."

"Or competing with it."

"Same difference."

Clara leaned against the counter.

"You sound threatened."

Ethan let out a short laugh.

"I don't get threatened."

Clara tilted her head.

"Everyone does."

Their eyes locked.

The air between them tightened again.

Ethan took a slow step closer.

"Tell me something, Clara."

She stayed still.

"Have you ever run a company?"

The question caught her off guard.

She hesitated just a second too long.

Ethan noticed.

His voice lowered.

"Interesting."

Clara crossed her arms.

"Why?"

"Because you speak about business like someone who understands it."

Clara shrugged.

"Maybe I read a lot."

Ethan studied her carefully.

"You're full of surprises."

Before Clara could respond-

Isla tugged on Ethan's sleeve.

He looked down.

"Mr. Ethan?"

It was the first time she had spoken directly to him.

"Yes?"

Isla pointed at Liam.

"He says you're not scary."

Liam nodded confidently.

"You're just serious."

Clara tried not to laugh.

Ethan looked between the two children.

Then something unexpected happened.

He crouched slightly so he was eye-level with them.

"And what do you think?" he asked Isla.

She considered seriously.

"You're a little scary," she said.

Then she added,

"But nice scary."

Clara burst out laughing.

Even Ethan couldn't stop the faint smile that appeared.

But the moment was brief.

Because suddenly-

Clara's phone buzzed loudly on the table.

Her smile disappeared the moment she saw the caller ID.

She turned away quickly.

But Ethan noticed.

"Not answering?" he asked.

Clara's voice was tight.

"No."

The phone buzzed again.

And again.

Ethan glanced at the screen before she could flip it over.

The name flashing there made his eyes narrow.

Hartley Global Holdings.

The same company that had just stolen his contract.

Ethan looked up slowly.

His gaze met Clara's.

This time there was no doubt in his voice.

"Clara," he said quietly.

"Why is my biggest rival calling you?"