Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 7 17
Gary was used to throwing grand banquets and parties. “Just follow my lead, there’s nothing to be nervous about. It might take
some time, but you will get used to it eventually.”
Larissa felt a little intimidated by her future role as an heiress.
“Is it too late for me to back out now?” she asked.
“Back out? Don’t even think about it!” Gary glared at her.
He went through such difficulties to reunite with his daughter, it weren’t because of Larissa’s refusal he would have announced
their relationship to the world. Now that she finally relented, he would not let her back out of this!
While she was resting at home, Larissa kept herself busy.
Every morning, she woke up earlier and prepared a simple breakfast for Wendy and Aster. After they left, she would start reading
the materials sent by Lewis to get acquainted with her upcoming job.
Around 3 pm, she would take a cab to the kindergarten and letch Aster. Her leg hadn’t fully recovered, so she wasn’t allowed to
drive a car yel.
Aster was very clingy to Larissa since it had been a long time since they’d been together. As long as she was at home. Aster
insisted on sticking to her like glue. He wouldn’t let go of her no matter what
Wendy often exclaimed that she couldn’t stand how close they were. One time, she even tried to physically separate Larissa and
Aster out of jealousy. In the end, all three of them fell into a heap, laughing until their stomachs hurt.
On Thursday night, Larissa announced that she was going back to work. Since then, Aster appeared visibly dejected.
Although Larissa could sense that his mood was affected, her heart ached as she knew she couldn’t do anything to make him
feel better.
After Aster went to bed, Wendy brought two beers from the fridge and asked Larissa. “Fancy a drink?”
Larissa was feeling frustrated and stretched her hand out. “Sure.”
Both of them sat on the ground. leaning against the sola. Wendy lifted her can of beer and toasted Larissa’s, taking a huge gulp.
“Why are you going to work so soon? I thought you hadn’t fully recovered,” Wendy said, glancing at Larissa’s leg.
“I need more people on my side. I need people who are loyal to me, not to my dad. Lewis, or even Kevan Larissa stared at the
table blankly as the bitter taste of beer spread across her tongue,
She needed power and influence to achieve her aim.
“Why?” Wendy asked, puzzled.
“I don’t want to always be protected by them.” Throughout her life, Larissa had gone through too much suffering. In addition, she
owed too much to the people who had helped her. She didn’t want anyone else to be caught up in her problems
Larissa wished that she could be independent and strong enough to protect herself and her loved ones.

Besides, she had many questions that she needed answers to. This plan of hers needed to be carried out in secret. No one, not
even her”
protectors,” should know about it.
“How about Aster? Are you going to leave him again?” Wendy looked up at Larissa and pointed in the direction of Aster’s
bedroom.
Larissa’s grip tightened around the beer she held in hand, denting the aluminum can and spilling some of the beer out
With a weak smile on her face, Wendy said, “You saw how happy he was. When you weren’t around, he did his best to keep up
a brave
front, saying that it was alright and you would come home soon. Still, I caught him crying under the blankets occasionally when I
went to his bedroom at night. You can’t imagine how much he loves and misses you.”