Chapter 35

Kathie glanced at Keith out of the corner of her eye, surprised they were meeting under such strange circumstances.

Keith flashed a devilish smile. "Got something to say? Just spit it out. No need to hold back."

Kathie, curious, asked, "Mr. Gray, why are you helping me? We don't even know each other."

Keith shrugged. "You're right, we don't. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Saw a beautiful woman being chased and decided to play hero."

Was that really the case?

Kathie had a feeling Keith knew more than he let on.

"Are you the one who canceled those rules at Elite Tots Academy?" she asked.

"Yeah, any problem with that?"

The question caught Kathie off guard. "No, it helped me out a lot."

"That's perfect then. A friend of mine mentioned those rules were unfair,so we talked it over and decided to scrap them," Keith said, not revealing the whole truth.

It did make sense the way he put it.

"Thanks for today. Could you drop me off up ahead? My friend is looking for me."

Keith nodded and asked, "That guy earlier said he was your husband.YouI two not on good terms?"Kathie shook her head. "He's not my husband. He's my enemy."

Keith smiled knowingly but didn't press further. He pulled over and walked around to open the passenger door for her like a gentleman.

Rumor had it that Keith had a bad temper and was a womanizer, but he seemed different from what people said.

As Kathie stepped out, a sharp pain shot through her foot,causing her to wobble. Keith quickly caught her before she could fall.

She had twisted her ankle while running from Randy earlier and had almost forgotten about it.

Melinda, who had been rushing over, saw Keith holdling Kathie and thought he was trying to drag her back into the car.

Melinda,carrying bags, charged forward, shouting, "Keith, you jerk! Let go of my friend right now!"

Hearing Melinda's voice, both Keith and Kathie turned to see her leap up and slap Keith across the face.

Keith and Kathie were stunned into silence.

Melinda stood protectively in front of Kathie. "Kathie, don't be afraid. I'm here to protect you."

Keith,furious,shouted,"Melinda, are you out of your mind? Why did you hit me?"

Melinda glared at him. "You think you can just take my friend? Think again! You can mess with others, but not my best friend."

.Kathie was touched by Melinda's fierce loyalty, but she knew she had to clear up the misunderstanding quickly to avoid any trouble for Melinda at work. Kathie hurriedly explained, "Melinda, I am so moved by your fierce protection, but this is a misunderstanding. Randy was trying to grab me.and Mr. Gray saved me. I twisted my ankle, and he caught me when I almost fell."

Melinda froze, looking at Keith's angry face. She awkwardly forced a smile,reached out to touch Keith's reddened cheek, and thought, 'Oh no, I'm in trouble now.'

"Mr. Gray, are you okay? Does it hurt? Should I blow on it?" Melinda asked cautiously.

"Now you're scared? You had the nerve to hit me just now," Keith retorted.

Melinda leaned in closer. "I'm sorry, I was reckless. If you're mad, you can hit me back. Hit me as many times as you want."

Kathie chimed in, "Mr. Gray, I'm sorry. Melinda was just worried about me. Please forgive her this once. If you need to hold someone accountable,let it be me."

Keith's face was dark and menacing. He had never been hit by a woman before.Melinda really didn't know what she was doing.

"I can't let this go!" he said coldly.

Melinda pleaded pitifully, "Mr. Gray, what can I do to make you forgive me?"

Keith took a deep breath and said, "From now on, you're my assistant until I say otherwise."

"Mr. Gray, my friend..."

'"Fine, I agree," Melinda interrupted Kathie,giving her a look to stay quiet.They couldn't afford to anger him further. Keith's expression softened a bit. "Fine, come with me to buy some things."

Melinda forced a smile. "Yes."

She handed her bags to Kathie. "Kathie, wish me luck. These are gifts for the kids. Please give them to them for me."

Kathie was worried. "Are you sure you'll be okay? He seems dangerous."

Melinda put on a brave face. "We'll see how it goes."

What else could she do? She had hit the CEO of their company,a powerful man in Elddria. She had to make it right.

Kathie couldn't follow them and watched as they left.

She felt bad. Melinda had gotten into trouble because of her. She hoped Keith wouldn't make things too difficult for Melinda.

As Kathie walked to the parking lot, she sensed someone following her.Could it be Randy again?

She quickened her pace, but two men appeared in front of her. Before she could react, a knife was pressed against her waist.

"Don't move, or you'll regret it."

"Who sent you?"

A van pulled up, and the men pushed her inside. "Don't ask questions.Get in."

Kathie had no choice but to stay calm and get in the van.

She was sandwiched between two men, both holding knives. She couldn't reach her phone to call for help.

The van drove to a remote area, and she knew this was bad. She was a nobody, and without calling the police, she had no chance of escaping.

The van stopped, and Kathie was taken to an abandoned building.

Inside, seven or eight burly men were smoking, drinking, and playing cards.

"Boss,we got her."

A man with tattooed arms, named Wayne Ross, stood up. He was their leader. He circled Kathie, looking pleased. "This woman is gorgeous,prettier than a movie star."

"Yeah, we couldn't take our eyes off her on the way here. We've never seen anyone so beautiful."

Kathie tried to back away but was blocked. "Who are you, and why did you bring me here?"

She had thought Randy was behind this, but now it seemed he wasn't involved.

Wayne grabbed her hand and led her to a table with divorce papers and a stock transfer agreement. "If you know what's good for you, sign these papers, and we'll let you go."

Kathie understood. The divorce papers were from Melissa and her daughter,trying to force her to sign. Randy probably didn't know about this.

The stock transfer agreement was Walter's way of getting her to give up her shares, so he had proof if her uncle's family caused trouble.

What a ruthless family, using such methods to force her.

"Did Melissa send you?" Kathie asked. "Don't ask questions. Just sign." Wayne said impatiently.

His lack of denial confirmed her suspicion. Melissa had no connections in Eldoria, except for her adopted brother. Raymond, whom Kathie had saved a few days ago. Were these his men?

If so,things might be easier.

Kathie asked. "Are you Raymond's men?"