Chapter 8

"I'll continue working in foreign trade. I'm looking to charter the Lyrian Sea shipping route," I stated. "By transportation standards, it's a much more cost-effective and efficient route." Lisa's eyes lit up in understanding. "You're planning to set up a business? Not bad." "Madam Harding, I'll need your support if I'm to make any headway in this. I hope we'll work together as smoothly as we have in the past." For the rest of the afternoon, Lisa and I talked about the details of my business plan. As our meeting was wrapping up, she answered a call. "I'm right here. Come on over!" she said, beckoning the person on the other line. A graceful silhouette hurried to our table. "Mom!" I did a double-take when I saw the person approaching us. "Skye?" "Leon?" Skye gaped at me as she stopped next to our table. "You two know each other?" Lisa was equally surprised. Skye quickly explained, "Mom, he was my classmate back at Melrose University." I nodded in confirmation. "I didn't know Skye was your daughter, Madam Harding. What a pleasant surprise." Lisa chuckled. "What a coincidence. Well, why don't we grab a meal together then?" "That sounds great," I said. Lisa smiled as her gaze darted between me and Skye, appraising us with faint amusement. … Skye and I were strolling through her villa's backyard as night fell. She held a glass of juice, looking perfectly at ease. "Who would've thought you and Mom knew each other?" She leaned against the wood-paneled wall. The silvery moonlight cast an ethereal glow over her side profile. This scene reminded me of our idyllic life on campus three years ago. I pointed out teasingly, "I didn't think you'd keep the fact that you're an heiress from me." "Don't call me that," Skye chided playfully, feigning anger as she looked the other way. "I'm not like Lilith." I might have imagined it, but a cold look flashed across Skye's features as she said this. "By the way, you never told me how you found out about what I've been doing for the last three years," I reminded. Skye blushed at the mention of this. "Everyone's talking about it. I only had to look into it to know the details." "Look into it?" I froze. She was right—all anyone had to do to know about Anna's accident and how it ended in me working for the Storms was look into the matter. And yet, Lilith was so far removed from reality, sequestered in her world of luxury and privilege, that she did not even bother to look into the reasons why I agreed to slave away for her family. She probably thought I was another one of those bottom-feeders who wanted to claw their way into her good books. "Thank you," I blurted out. "I know that's a little abrupt, but thank you for understanding me enough to look into the matter. For not believing what everyone else said about me." Skye surveyed me silently, her expression unreadable. "I've always known." She straightened up suddenly. "So, did you see my mom this afternoon to talk about setting up your own business?" "Yeah. I've been working at Storm Corporation for a while. I was contractually bound, of course, but it's about time I bid farewell to the last three years I spent toiling there." A lighthearted laugh escaped Skye. "Not bad, but I want in on your new business." "You want in?" I repeated inquisitively. She tipped her head to the side and looked at me questioningly. "Yeah. I mean, you'll need the money to charter a shipping route, won't you? You'll need financing, so why not let me pitch in? Mom would be delighted." I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "That's a tempting proposition, but I can't help feeling like I'm mooching off you." "Must you be so melodramatic about it?" Skye put her hands on her hips and berated, "I'm not giving you the money outright; I'm investing it in your company. I won't hesitate to pull out if you don't yield results." "Fine, then," I agreed without further hesitation, nodding firmly. Perhaps this was my turning point, and Skye was the answer to my prayers. "In that case, I look forward to doing business with you, Mr. Leon Schmitt." Skye beamed, her eyes glazing over with sentiment. My curiosity got the better of me. "But I doubt you came back from studying in Erania to become my trading partner. What were your plans before this?" She flashed me an impish grin. "I'm not telling you!"