Tiffany ran toward Yuan as soon as she saw him standing at the tambayan. "I thought you were dead!" she whispered, clinging to him tightly. He let out a small yelp as Tiffany accidentally touched his injured arm. "Sorry," she said, her face etched with worry.
Her concern stirred a warm feeling inside him, surprising him. He'd never thought the heiress was capable of such empathy.
He knew of her discretions back at the Academy. She was known as the "Ice Princess"—never getting close to anyone, never having a serious relationship with a guy. Though one time, he'd caught her in a heavy petting session with a girlfriend. Seeing her worried face was something new, especially since the two of them weren't particularly close.
He'd been following her ever since their father made that unusual proposal. He knew plenty about the Alpha Heiress, thanks to his father's insistence on studying her. He'd said it would help him "tame her"—as if she was some wild animal he needed to slaughter.
Their father. Yuan couldn't help but be amused. What a complete joke to have him as a biological father since he was so rotten to the core. Suggesting that he marry his own sister was farfetched. He had researched it; incest relations had always been stigmatized, even legally restricted in most societies for biological and cultural reasons. According to studies, close genetic relationships increased the risk of recessive disorders in offspring. He wouldn't want to produce abnormal kids. But really… what choice did he have?
Shaking off the thought, he turned to Tiffany. "Did you miss me?" he asked playfully.
Tiffany automatically kicked his leg.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"You're such an asshole," she said, taking her usual spot.
"Am I an asshole for saving your ass?"
Tiffany rolled her eyes, shifting from concerned to her usual distant self. She took out an expensive cigarette, lighting it with a heavy sigh before placing it between her lips. "Do you smoke?" she asked, the cigarette now stained with her red lipstick.
"Sure."
She tossed him a pack and a golden lighter.
"I tried to quit—several times," he chuckled. "Turns out I'm not much of a quitter."
"Old habits die hard," Tiffany replied with a wink.
"For an undercover assassin, you sure have your own way of sabotaging yourself. Don't you know you're not supposed to bring luxury cigarettes and a golden lighter to school? Unless you want to blow your disguise—"
"Shut up," Tiffany snapped. "I know what I'm doing."
So arrogant, Yuan thought, giving her a disapproving look. In his hand was a pack of Ashton VSG Corona Gorda, one of the most in-demand luxury cigars. How would she explain this to the admin if they caught her?
"You can have those," she said nonchalantly. "I have plenty more."
"Thanks, I guess," Yuan replied dismissively. They sat in silence as smoke rose in the air.
"Your father's a wealthy man."
"He is," Tiffany sighed. "And he intends to keep it that way. He's nothing without his money."
"Tell me, Miss Blonde, how much do you hate your father?"
Tiffany gave him a knowing look. "Do you think I hate my father?"
"All daughters hate their fathers," Yuan laughed.
"Assumptions."
"I still think you hate him," he insisted. He couldn't imagine the horror and toxicity of living with a man like that. Maybe that explained the distant attitude Tiffany possessed. He was lucky to have grown up in his foster family's care. Sure, his foster dad was involved in shady dealings as a mayor, but at least he wasn't an Alpha leader. And he had a stay-at-home foster mom. He'd had something normal going on in his childhood and pre-teen life… unlike Tiffany. Suddenly, he wondered what her life had been like.
"I really thought you'd be dead. That would be fun," she said, shifting the topic.
"Turns out I'm not."
"I couldn't care less," she retorted.
"Yeah, so I've been told—the heiress is a rude young lady," he replied, rolling his eyes and poking her shoulder playfully. He had now moved a little closer until their elbows touched.
"Well, I guess you're stuck with me for now," Tiffany said, taking another drag from her cigarette.
"Why would you say that?" he asked, amused.
"Papa called. He explained you'll be working with me on this mission. After what happened in Ormon, he said we can't take any chances."
"A-about that—"
"That made me mad," Tiffany interrupted. "I know he's just doing it to mock me. He knows I always work alone. He and the Alpha council are a bunch of power-hungry schemers." She puffed again, her anger evident. "Tell me, what's your reward this time?"
"You should just probably ask your father."
"Just tell me now," she pressed.
Yuan sighed, looking at her squarely. "The Alphas want us bonded by marriage."
A heavy silence followed.
"I knew it…" she muttered, standing up and effortlessly swinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Where are you going? Are you mad at me?"
Tiffany only met his gaze with a dangerous smirk. "Yes. And in that case," she said, "I might as well kill you after I'm finished with Lucio."