Chapter 39 - Kween

"Please don't insult Miss Lin like that, young master." Derek politely advised with a bow. "She may have lost her memories and acting not herself, but don't take the wrong path."

Lewis' entire face twitched at Derek's response as the vein on his temples protruded under his skin. He pressed his lips together, stretching it broader as he let out a sharp exhale.

"Why do you think I'm insulting her?" Lewis questioned as he calmed himself down. "She even proposed marriage before, you see."

Derek tried his best not to show his dismay but failed miserably. " Is this your new way of torturing me, young master?"

"Oy, come on," Lewis scoffed as he clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I have a bad temper, but a lot of ladies will throw themselves at me if they have the chance."

"You're right, young master. However, Miss Lin is different. Did it ever occur to you that Miss Lin proposed marriage because of the alimony once you two divorce?" Derek inquired, witnessing how Lewis froze as invisible ice trapped him in.

Of course, Lewis thought about that. Devon had shamelessly publicized her opinion regarding that matter in the past.

"Miss Lin is a smart yet unpredictable woman. Although she used to be wild and rebellious until her mid-teens, she managed to control her temper by the age of 18. She still has outbursts every once in a while; that's why they branded her the ticking time bomb of the Lin Family." Derek let out a sigh as he reminded Lewis what kind of woman Devon was.

"Although in terms of skills and capabilities, she's fairly remarkable. If Miss Lin didn't choose her current career, she has a higher chance to be the next CEO of LN Group."

Lewis listened to Derek in silence. He knew this part of her. One of the many reasons he didn't hesitate to have a contract with Devon was because of this part of her background.

Devon was smart and capable, but not ambitious. She left her lavish lifestyle to pursue her passion to become a writer.

"Go on," Lewis muttered, watching Devon on the swing. "I already heard that part, but I want to hear more about why she severed her ties with her family, and if she ever had any previous relationships."

Derek nodded as he memorized everything about Devon, since Lewis didn't pay attention in the past. 

"It is no secret that Miss Lin's father had many affairs in the past. When Miss Lin's mother died from cancer, President Lin took his mistress home a week after his wife died. If we trace it back to the changes in her grades in school, it is exactly the time Miss Lin's grades went from excellent to poor. Her behavior also changed as she joined the wrong crowd."

Derek paused as he cleared his throat. He glanced at Lewis' side, sensing the pressure exuding from his boss, but Derek resumed.

"Based on the reports our team had gathered, it is said that Miss Lin didn't have a good relationship with her family and her only ally is Chairman Lin, her grandfather. But because Chairman Lin's health had been deteriorating before his accident, he couldn't be with her at all times."

"So she's been fighting alone for a long time? And they dare arrange her to a marriage?" Lewis ground his teeth as his eyes glinted with killing intent. 

"It's not just that. It is said that Miss Lin only lie lowed from her wild life when she entered college. No one really knows the reason, but we heard a strange rumor that it is because Miss Lin was in a relationship." 

"What?" Lewis snapped as he shot Derek a glare.

"It's never confirmed, but that's what one of our sources heard. No one knows how long the relationship lasted, or if it's ever true," Derek asserted calmly, as there's not a strong claim about Devon's relationships. 

If not for that one source, Derek would've assumed Devon was never been in a relationship. It wasn't impossible to think that way knowing her character.

"And about the arrange marriage?" Lewis asked, scratching his temple with his finger to reduce his annoyance.

"I think that's only the last straw among the many reasons that drove Miss Lin from severing ties with the Lin Family. But it's more likely premeditated."

"Premeditated?" Lewis arched his brow as he tilted his head a little. "What do you mean by that?"

"They said Miss Lin left the house with nothing but her clothes. However, because she was secretly accepting ghostwriting job or finishing a thesis for a price, she had her own savings," Derek explained solemnly, before he added, "And she already rented out an apartment beforehand. So, she didn't live in the streets."

"I see," Lewis murmured as he nodded in understanding. "It's not a surprise to think like that if her relationship with her family is that terrible."

"Miss Lin is a strong and admirable woman, young master. I'm sure she didn't regret that decision and took pride in it," Derek reassured, as he had high regards for Devon, even though she was a little strange.

"Knowing her, she probably kicked the door as she pranced her way out of the house," Lewis murmured, nodding in agreement before shifting his eye back to Devon.

However, his brows furrowed as he looked around. But she's not there.

"Where did she go?" Lewis panicked, sprinting towards the playground to find her.

****

Minutes before Lewis realized Devon was out of his sight…

"How do people enjoy this?" Devon murmured, holding up the see-saw in confusion.

"Psst!" 

Devon ignored the whistling at first as she held the handle of the see-saw and moved it up and down. When the sound kept reaching her ear, she frowned and turned in the corner of the playground where the sound came from.

"Come!" 

"Huh?" Devon tilted her head to the side, pointing at herself as a homeless woman clad with layers of coats waved at her.

"Yes, you!" The homeless woman gestured her to come with a smile.

Devon peered at her from her head to toe as her jaw slightly fell open. In her previous life as a princess, one way for noblewomen to display their wealth was by the layers of their clothes and hats; aside from their estate and jewelry.

"Oh, alright," Devon muttered and scurried towards her. 

"Sit." The homeless woman instructed as she squatted down.

Baffled, Devon still awkwardly squatted down in front of her. "Why did you call for me?" Devon asked, raising her brows innocently.

"Don't you remember me?" The homeless lady frowned as she bats her eye and patted her chest. "It's me, Kween!"

Devon's eyes slowly widened as her mouth fell. "Qu — Queen?"