The Consortium's Heir

Chapter 308

Austin's attention was on Kate, who continued to gaze longingly at him but did not seem like she was getting out of the car anytime soon.

Only then did he truly realize he was getting deserted.

The young lady, whose name appeared several times in the background research documents he asked for, now behaved far more mercilessly than her supposed "naive" nature.

His jaw fell wide open as he cried, "what are you doing, Kate? I'm your brother! So what if we have different fathers? We still share the same bloodline-we're both Andersons! I'm just an Anderson on my mother's side. Yet, you're ditching me here? I know you're capable of saving me! It's just that you're not trying harder!"

He yelled louder with every passing second. He would have run after Kate's car if not for the pain in his chest.

On the other hand, Kate was frowning.

Her chest tightened with guilt when she heard his hoarse cries.

Panicked, she turned to look ahead at Erin, who did not hesitate to start the car and pull down the handbrake.

It was evident that Erin did not plan to stick around and wait for Austin.

Kate turned the other way and saw Darius looking down at his lap while in his car.

Based on her guesses, she felt he was likely working on a laptop.

When Kate looked up, Edward had already approached Austin, who lay on the ground again. She had no clue what had happened in between but could tell the view outside her window seemed peaceful. Nothing about the scene seemed like someone was about to die, except for the screaming teenagers that tried to flee.

That final detail made everything click into place; everyone's actions proved to Kate that Austin was unimportant to them.

Thus, she gulped and asked meekly, "Miss Erin, about Austin...is there really no turning back for him?"

One of Erin's brows raised.

Not a word came from her as she did not know how to respond.

She thought, "Austin's existence is indeed a mistake. Not to mention, he's done horrible things and hurt many people, including Kate. He's about to receive the punishment he deserves, yet Kate's here, trying to plead on his behalf? Why would she do this? Then again, I won't accept her reasons-Austin's punishment is long overdue."

At the same time, in the other car, Darius' lips curved into a sincere smile when he sensed what Erin was about to say.

A frosty look took over Erin's face while she coldly replied, "What you said surprises me, Miss Anderson. There is, indeed, no turning back for Austin. He has harmed so many people, and the suffering he caused them is irreversible."

While she spoke, her eyes remained glued onto the rearview mirror, taking in the way Kate's face warped.

The final expression on Kate's face seemed to say, "What do you mean? Why don't I understand what you're saying?"

Erin could no longer maintain a controlled demeanor by then, so she stopped trying.

"I know you have feelings for Mr.Reid. Many other outstanding women surround him daily, and I don't really mind their presence."

Kate's lips thinned while her eyes narrowed.

It was because she knew very well what Erin meant; the latter implied she was not an outstanding or worthy enough of a woman to stay by Darius' side.

Kate parted her lips, closed them,

then repeated this motion several

times before dejectedly loweriket

head She could not refute Erin's words, as they were the truth.

her

Shutting her eyes, Kate let out a long sigh like she was surrendering. Just when she thought the conversation had lulled, Erin spoke up.

"Therefore, if you can't improve yourself in every aspect to weather any storm alongside Mr.Reid, Lhope you can at least stand firmly behind him Don't cause him any more trouble."

Those words took Kate aback, her eyes widening in disbelief at the former.

She assumed Erin would intentionally start a catfight with her because they were both women, and she could tell Erin had a crush on Darius too.

Kate was so baffled that she did not reply to Erin.

Even so, Erin did not mind and

continued with a neutral tone, "You're the Anderson family's only heir.At least, that's what the outside. world sees. If were you, I'd quickly go to the company and get involved with their affairs. That way, no

matter what happens-even ifel. ng

more people get in your way or if your father returns, no one can take the company from you. Having Anderson Group equals owning your father's wealth and

authority. Likewise, you don't have to beg anyone for answers to your current questions. Someone will eventually deliver the information you desire to you."

Silence befell the car after that.

In the backseat, Kate was busy processing the weight of Erin's words.

She had never heard of such a concept or dealt with something like that before, so it stunned her.

After weighing her options and realizing there were no drawbacks to the plan Erin suggested, she nodded sternly, thinking Erin was right.

A grim silence filled the space during the rest of the car ride back to the hotel.

Unlike the seriousness between the two women, the atmosphere in Darius' car was much livelier.

Darius sat in the front passenger seat.

He shut his laptop and leaned his back into the cushioned seat, his muscles tensing from the noise in the car.

Behind him was an inquisitive Maurice, who could not stop bouncing around in the car while blabbering.

"Sir," Maurice said, "What's your name? I mean your car looks expensive, and since you're giving me a ride in it, I feel I should address you formally." Darius snorted, wanting to ignore Maurice.

However, the past ten minutes taught him that the teenager would only make more noise and speak louder if he did not respond.

Hence, he gritted his teeth while enunciating each word, "My name is Darius Reid-"

Before he had even finished his words, Maurice's chirpy tone rang out.

"So, can I call you Mr.Reid?"