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Novel Catalog
Chapter_71
Yvette’s hand paused mid-air as she reached for her coffee cup, her blue eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Simon. She hadn’t expected that question. The stillness in the room seemed to stretch for a moment, and even Tobias, who was about to leave, halted, sensing the tension in the air.
“Why would you ask that?” Yvette replied, her tone calm but with an edge of curiosity. She didn’t immediately answer, instead, watching Simon closely. His question was unexpected, but the way he phrased it, as if he already had some idea, gave her pause.
Simon’s expression didn’t change, his demeanor still composed. He set the coffee pot down and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “I’ve been following your work for a while now, and there are certain things about you that don’t quite add up with what people know. You’re too young to have the kind of influence you do, yet you carry yourself as if you’ve seen far more than most at your age.”
He paused, as though weighing his words carefully. “Your expertise, your ability to move pieces in the business world, and the way people react to you—it all reminds me of someone who operates from the shadows. Someone who’s been trained, maybe even groomed, for something bigger. And there’s the way you handle things, like this with Sky Nimbus, as if you’ve always been in control.”
Yvette’s eyes flickered briefly toward Tobias, who had stopped at the door but hadn’t left yet, waiting to see if Simon would say more. She knew Simon’s reputation and had heard the occasional whisper about his connections, but this line of questioning made her wary. It wasn’t that she had anything to hide, but Simon’s perception of her felt too close to the truth for comfort.
“Well, you’re not wrong,” she said after a beat, her voice light but laced with something sharper beneath the surface. “I know how to navigate certain situations, and I’ve learned from the best.” She didn’t elaborate, knowing Simon was smart enough to fill in the blanks himself.
Simon nodded slowly, as if he had expected her to give him a non-answer. “That’s what I thought. It’s clear you have a lot of potential, Yvette. More than most could ever dream of. But if you’re Siren…” He let the word hang in the air, his tone softening just slightly, “…you’ve been playing a dangerous game for a long time.”
Yvette set her coffee cup down with a quiet clink, her gaze steady. “Siren is a name that’s been thrown around a lot recently. People like to make assumptions about who I am and what I’ve done. But in the end, it doesn’t matter.” She paused, a flicker of something more vulnerable crossing her face before she masked it with her usual cool expression. “I’m not hiding, Simon. Not from anyone. I just don’t want people to think they can control me. I make my own decisions. That’s the one thing I’ve always been sure of.”
Simon studied her for a long moment, as if trying to gauge her true feelings. “I don’t think you’re hiding, Yvette. I think you’re just very careful about who knows what. And I respect that. But I want you to know—you don’t have to carry the weight of everything alone. People like me, like Tobias, we’re here. We’ve got your back. But you’ve got to trust us, at least a little.”
Yvette’s eyes softened for a fraction of a second, before she leaned back into the couch, her posture relaxed again. “Trust isn’t easy for me, Simon. It never has been. I’ve learned the hard way that people always want something in return. And even if they don’t, there’s always an agenda.”
Simon’s gaze never wavered. “I understand. But trust doesn’t mean letting people walk all over you. It’s about knowing who’s really on your side when the stakes are high.”
Yvette’s lips curled into a small smile. “You talk like you’ve been through it yourself.”
Simon chuckled softly. “Let’s just say I’ve had my share of lessons. But I’m not going to pretend I know everything about you. I’m just offering help, in case you ever need it.”
She met his gaze, her expression still guarded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Tobias, who had been standing in the doorway the entire time, cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “I’ll give you two a moment,” he said, stepping out of the room.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Simon leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering just a touch. “You’ve made some interesting enemies, Yvette. Not everyone in this world is going to be as straightforward as me. Hector, for example—he’s got a lot of power, but I doubt he’s looking out for your best interests. You’ll have to decide soon whether you want to take on more than just university life.”
Yvette sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m already taking on more than I should,” she replied with a hint of dry humor in her tone. “But I won’t let anyone push me around, Simon. I have my own plans. If people think they can pull me into their games, they’ll have to find someone else.”
Simon chuckled, a knowing look crossing his face. “I never doubted you for a second. Just remember, the more power you take on, the harder it is to control. But if anyone can manage it, it’s you.”
Yvette’s eyes met his with quiet intensity. “I’m not afraid of the game, Simon. I’ve been playing it my whole life.”
Simon nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Good. Then we’ll see how it all plays out.”
With that, the room fell into a quiet understanding. Both of them were fully aware of the complexities ahead, but neither was willing to back down. Yvette’s journey was just beginning, and the players on the board were more dangerous than anyone could have predicted. But she wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge.
