My Accidental Husband is a Billionaire

James was stunned for a moment, then Kate quickly chimed in, "No, no! It's not an insult! Things have completely flipped!"

James blinked in confusion. "Flipped? How is that even possible? My sister's mistake was so bad that if I weren't her brother, I'd want to smack her myself! There's no way public opinion could turn around that fast!"

Kate rolled her eyes at him. "Could you even take on Keera? Are you sure you wouldn't just end up getting completely wiped by her?"

James was speechless.

Realizing she might've pushed it a little too far, Kate coughed, then handed her phone to him. "Here, check for yourself! Stop guessing randomly!"

James glanced at her phone and immediately saw the headline about Professor Barry Brandt returning to the country. He practically jumped out of his seat.

"So, that's the twist!"

His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the news on the screen, then turned to the other Freeman Sect members nearby. "Holy crap! If any of you even think about badmouthing Keera's patriotism again, I swear we're going to have a problem!"

...

After the Olsen family's press conference, Uncle Olsen chatted briefly with Keira before she and Lewis made their way outside. She turned to him and asked, "That reporter you caught earlier, has he been interrogated?"

Lewis's face darkened. "Yes."

"Who's behind it?"

"The reporter was just a pawn, paid to do a job. My people traced the transaction back to a source from Country A."

Keira frowned. "Could it be the same group that tried to capture Professor Barry Brandt?"

Just as she finished her question, a voice suddenly came from behind her. "Country A, huh? I know who it is."

Keira stiffened and turned to see Erin casually munching on pistachios, showing no sign of guilt for eavesdropping.

Keira sighed. "Who is it?"

"The Lioness," Erin said matter-of-factly. "I've crossed paths with her countless times over the years, though we've never known each other's true identities. She's exactly like a lion hunting its prey—patient and calculating, waiting in the tall grass until the perfect moment."

Keira furrowed her brows. "You don't know her identity either?"

Erin was genuinely surprised. "Of course not! Why would I? I only found out about Vera and your sister's true identities because they came to me willingly. Everyone's identity is kept secret. Not like you, barging in without a clue, pulling off stunts that have now gotten you on the Lioness's radar! I bet she's already suspicious about who you really are."

Keira didn't know what to say.

So, all this time, her sister had endured all that humiliation from her vile husband and mother-in-law just to keep her true identity hidden?

And now that Keira had taken her place, she had unknowingly exposed her, making everything worse.

her eyes

clearly enjoying herself, added, "You see? You don't know the first thing about this world. You'd be better off sticking by my side as my little sidekick. I'm good to you, right? We could totally team up for

didn't take the bait; her

her words, she never really expected Keira

to Lewis, Keira said, "If the reporter doesn't know anything more,

nodded. "Where

the Special Division to take old Mr.

—

At the Special Division.

the day Keira had stood up for old Mr. Sims, Holly had been

in the background, helping wherever she could—cleaning, sweeping, trying

way she could feel some

her grandfather and

first, everyone sneered and cursed at her, but as the days passed, seeing her come back despite being pushed, hit, or insulted without ever fighting back, their attitudes slowly started

the rest of her life as a cleaning lady here could somehow make up for what her grandfather had

headed toward the operations room when she overheard two

lately? Everyone was

other person replied, "You didn't hear? Luke gave a

"What?"

was enough. And honestly, he's right. Beating up a girl doesn't fix anything, and

have thought Mr. Sims could have done something

about Holly? Luke's already told us

sank as she

friends would be suspicious of her like this. Her so-called redemption was nothing more than a

here was just an added burden to the

ready to leave. But as she

for standing up

just didn't want to see anyone picking on you.

welled up in Holly's eyes as she bit her lip. Her vision blurred as

clearly panicking, reached out awkwardly.

wiping away a girl's tears with his hands might

finding the whole situation absurd. Here was Luke, still bandaged from his own injuries, stuck in a ridiculous pose, trying

her laugh, Luke relaxed and let out a sigh. "Phew, that's better. I'm

Holly paused, surprised.

intimate, so he fell silent

None of them spoke.

now, an unspoken warmth

direct gaze made

lowered her