Chapter 178

I’m not angry that Miles went to see Edward at this event. Surprised, certainly, and I’m not a fan of him having done it behind my back. I fully plan on chewing him out for even attempting that.

But.

He says he’s met my monster. It’s difficult not to focus on that.

“What did you think?” I ask.

Miles face shifts then, from adoring as he looked at me, into something harder and grimmer. He looks angry, his face contorted with fiery rage even as ice fills his eyes.

“He charmed the room. Even my own donors were taken in with the façade,” Miles says. “He hides his true self well, buried beneath the smiles and the over-friendliness.”

I nod, anticipating that. He’d do that at the orphanage too. Charming as can be with the other adults. But the moment they stepped out of the room, he shifted into a monster.

“He broke character only once that I saw,” Miles says, “But it was enough for me to see.”

“What happened?”

“He snapped at Crystal.”

“Crystal was there?” My heart leaps into my throat. Crystal is barely out of college, but she has a baby face, making her look even younger. I can’t be mad at Miles. In my place, Crystal is the most dedicated and competent, but the thought of her anywhere near Edward makes me want to throw up.

“And the way he looked at her…”

“Miles…”

“I’ve warned her about him. I didn’t give her details, but she knows to be wary.” Miles looks away from me. He doesn’t need my lecture then. He’s already angry at himself for putting Crystal in danger. “I’ve also assigned her security.”

“I wish you would have told me…” Even if he had, I probably would have suggested Crystal as my replacement. We both need to do better at protecting our staff from him.

It makes me so angry. We shouldn’t have to. Crystal shouldn’t be passed by for this opportunity just because she looks young. She’s deserved these chances at proving herself and making meaningful connections with people who could help her career.

“The way Edward talked about women…” Miles says in disgust. “He is a villain. I believed everything you said about him, of course I did. I wanted to see it, and I did.”

I’m glad Miles is on my side. Edward can be charming. It’s a relief to know that the effects didn’t work on Miles. Maybe Miles’s own charisma helped give him the insight he needed to see through Edward’s mask.

The two couldn’t be more different, though.

Miles’s charisma and charm boosts his own goodness and wit. It makes it easier to form meaningful relationships with others.

Edward’s is a mask to hide the enemy he is. He uses it to manipulate people into doing things that they would never think of otherwise.

Like two different sides of a coin.

“I’m glad you weren’t there tonight,” Miles says. He shakes his head. “We’ll have to find a way to keep you from ever being in the same room with him ever again.”

“That’s not possible,” I tell him. “With the campaign, I can’t just hide away. You need me there.” And I’d rather be there than Crystal. At least I know what to expect from Edward. “We are going to be at the same events sometimes. Like the debates…”

Miles sighs a little as he wraps his arms around me. “Then you will have to stay close to me. It’s the only way I can make sure you are safe.”

I smile softly, enjoying this particular game. “How close?”

His lips quirk up as he brings his mouth closer to mine. “Nearly a second-skin. So close, it will feel like I’m inside of you.”

It’s cheesy so I laugh a little. He swallows it with a kiss.

When we break for air, I suggest, “Maybe we should practice.”

“Good idea,” Miles says and lowers me down onto the bed.

When I’m with Miles, the bad memories are pushed so far away, it’s like they happened to someone else.

When I’m with Miles, I’m with Miles. No nightmares. No demons of the past.

Just the man I adore and me, sharing our passion.

For a time, I know peace.

Hugo double checks that the secret camera is on and that the microphone is recording before he leaves his car. Hopefully, his realtor won’t be suspicious of the gaudy lapel pin that hides them both. Though, with someone who is used to dealing with people who want to buy high end real estate, Hugo imagines Mr. Carpenter won’t bat an eyelash at the extra gold on Hugo’s suit.

Leaving the car, Hugo spots Mr. Carpenter standing outside the front of the mansion. The mansion is historic, of gothic architecture. It’s a beautiful home, but overpriced, given the amount of work that needs done. Such as replacing all the lead pipes, for one.

Even having been sitting empty for years now, the price of this house compares to a modern mansion of twice its size.

Mr. Carpenter should have perhaps been suspicious why Hugo Harbinger of the Harbinger News Company would suddenly be interested in a historic mansion with lead pipes, but Hugo banked entirely on the man’s greed.

It’s presently the most expensive house on the market. The commission alone would set Mr. Carpenter up for the rest of the year, at least.

“Hugo! Can I call you Hugo? Nice to meet you!” Mr. Carpenter comes forward, as greedy as Hugo suspected. He offers Hugo a hand.

Hugo does not take it. He doesn’t like touching anyone, but knowing what this snake did to Esther makes him want to be sick just from breathing the same air as him.

Even so, he needs to play nice for Mr. Carpenter to open up to him.

At least… he needs to play nice for now. Once he has more evidence, he will be the first one to tell this worthless piece of trash how he truly feels. Well, maybe he should leave that honor to Esther, if she wants it. He’ll be second in line, though.

“Hugo is fine,” he says through gritted teeth. He’s out of practice for deception. He doesn’t have the skills of a politician that let him be friendly with people he despises.

“Call me Chester,” he says.

No. Hugo will not be doing that. He turns to the house instead. “I’m aware this place will need renovations.”

“A few,” Mr. Carpenter lies. “Just to bring it up to date. I’m sure the cost is nothing a Harbinger will even notice.”

Hugo hums. “Good. I need a place that will be ready to host parties as soon as possible.” He hopes he is convincing. “With the election coming up, I plan on voting a candidate to give my support.”

Under normal circumstances, someone might just ignore this. After all, it’s not typically unusual for wealthy donors to support political candidates. However, as the owners of a news network, the Harbingers are notoriously centrist. They never back any candidate publically, refusing to influence the vote.

Mr. Carpenter is a Whisperer. He cares about politics and would immediately notice this shift.

“Oh?” he asks, looking at Hugo in curiosity. “That’s different. May I ask which candidate you support?”

Now is the time where the most deception is needed. Hugo prays that his years of wearing a neutral expression will help conceal his true motives now.

“Edward Zimmer,” Hugo says.