The Heart System Chapter 477

Jack Kuinn. Jack Hitch.

Were these two the same individual, or was Amelia’s stepfather entangled in matters he ought to avoid?

I had to unravel that mystery fast. Should those hidden camera videos ever surface publicly, we'd all face grave consequences. The firm, Nala, and every person connected would suffer. I already loathed navigating corporate intrigue, and now blackmail was tangled in the chaos.

Amelia guided the vehicle through the roundabout and chose the second turnoff. Though her driving remained cautious, I sensed a shift. Her posture held a touch of rigidity, and she no longer seemed as at ease as earlier.

Discovering her stepfather's presence had evidently unsettled her.

I reclined a bit in the passenger seat, observing the path ahead as my thoughts raced. That man had sought cash previously, hadn't he? Perhaps the camera recordings fit into a scheme. With access to such footage, he could attempt to extort the company. A person of his nature wouldn't cease after one payout. He would continue pressing until everything was drained.

Somehow, I needed to handle him.

"If you don't mind me asking," I ventured cautiously, "what was your stepfather like?"

Amelia fixed her gaze on the road while responding.

"Perpetually penniless," she stated. "Credit card debts plagued him constantly. The true issue lay with his sons. They repeatedly demanded funds from him, and he invariably provided them."

"How old are they?"

"Twins," she answered. "Twenty-nine."

"No jobs?"

She gave a faint shake of her head. "No jobs. No proper existence. Zilch. In my view, they're simply pitiful."

"Yeah," I murmured softly. "That seems tough."

"It truly was," she responded.

She eased the car to a slower speed and veered left, directing us back to the parking area of the company headquarters. Since the talk began, her demeanor had noticeably altered.

"I believe I ought to discuss this with my mom," she continued.

"Likely a wise choice," I agreed.

Amelia entered through the gate, where security parted automatically upon identifying the car. She pulled into the prior spot, engaged the handbrake, and settled back into her seat.

Briefly, she shielded her face with a single hand and released a deep sigh.

Apparently, I'd dampened her spirits more than planned.

Moments later, we exited the vehicle together. She returned the keys to me as she retrieved her phone. I observed her scrolling to contacts and selecting a number.

Before raising the device to her ear, she initiated the call.

Not wishing to intrude, I merely cleared my throat discreetly and moved aside slightly, affording her privacy as the connection attempted.

Soon, she turned to glance at me.

"Thanks for everything, Evan," she expressed. "I think I'll pass on lunch today."

"Alright," I replied with a gentle nod. "Take care, Amelia."

⟁ ⟁ ⟁

I pushed the door open and entered, shutting it softly behind with a quiet click. Silence enveloped the apartment, broken only by subtle sounds from the kitchen and the distant murmur of urban life beyond the panes. The girls had ventured out for shopping earlier, citing New Year’s bargains, and I lacked the energy to join. My mind overflowed regardless. K, Chase, Mana, those videos... they swirled endlessly like an inescapable cycle. I despised the uncertainty of my next move. This brand of frustrating powerlessness dwarfed any office nonsense.

The instant I slipped off my shoes, Minne appeared from behind the kitchen partition. Her expression brightened—instantly, with a petite, radiant smile that eased a knot in my chest. She donned her standard maid attire: a brief black frock accented by white lace edges, an apron secured in a tidy bow at the rear, and stockings reaching her thighs fastened to suspenders. Several locks of hair had slipped free from her tiny cap, clinging to her cheek amid the warmth of her baking.

"Welcome home, Master," she murmured gently, brushing flour-covered hands across her apron.

I returned the smile—fatigued yet genuine. "Hey, cutie. It smells incredible in here."

She lowered her gaze bashfully. "I prepared a cake... but it's still warm. You can try it soon."

"Still meatballs, pasta, and fries for the evening meal?" I inquired, placing my jacket on the peg.

"Yes! According to Miss Tessa’s plan," she affirmed with pride. "She called it ’comfort food for the end of a tiring day.’"

I let out a quiet chuckle. "Sounds ideal."

I made my way directly to the bathroom. The mirror revealed the truth—I appeared exhausted. Shadows under my eyes, tousled hair, posture sagging as if burdened by weights all day. I activated the tap, cleansed my hands, then doused my face with chilly water until my breathing steadied. Gazing at my image, thoughts returned to K. If he possessed the videos, contact would have come already—demands, warnings, anything. The quiet suggested either he failed to retrieve them from the concealed devices... or he bided time for a grander play.

I breathed out sharply, patted my face dry, and emerged.

Minne lingered by the sofa, fingers interlocked before her apron, shifting lightly on her feet.

"Master..." she began, tone delicate.

I dropped onto the couch with a thud, legs parting. "Yeah? What's on your mind?"

She advanced a step, then another, positioning herself between my legs. Her hands fidgeted with the skirt's edge—a telltale sign of anxiety I'd learned to spot.

"Um..." She gulped. "Here..."

Gradually, she unfurled her palm. A slender white plastic rod lay there.

Pregnancy test.

Two vivid pink lines.

My pulse faltered oddly. I fixed on it briefly, then lifted my eyes to her—round stare, lip trapped between teeth, face flushing.

"Shit," I whispered, a gradual smile blooming. "It worked, didn't it?"

"A-are you... pleased, Master?" Her words hovered just above a breath.

I rose swiftly, encircled her midsection with my arms, and hoisted her up in a firm embrace. She let out a tiny yelp, then softened into me, delicate fingers gripping my shirt.

"Pleased?" I chuckled lightly against her locks. "I'm over the moon, Minne. You'll make the sweetest mom around."

She laughed, light and eased, then nestled her face into my shoulder. "Thank you, Master..."