Page 32 of King of Ruin

Just like its owner.

Descending the curved staircase, Elise adjusted the sleeve of her black blouse before smoothing the front of her pencil skirt. A fitted blazer rested over her shoulders, her long hair fell neatly behind her back, and a pair of pearl earrings completed her elegant appearance.

She walked toward the foyer, picked up her purse from the console table, slipped her phone, tablet, and car keys inside, then checked once more that she hadn't forgotten anything.

Just as she reached for the front door, her phone vibrated.

The moment she saw the caller ID, the tiredness on her face disappeared.

A soft smile spread across her lips.

"Dad."

She answered immediately.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Kevin's warm voice came through the speaker. "Have you left for work already?"

Elise bent down to slip on her heels before answering with a smile. "Not yet. I'm just about to leave."

"Good. Then come home instead."

Elise couldn't help laughing.

"Dad."

"I'm serious." Kevin let out a helpless sigh. "Come back and take over Foster Group. Your mother and I miss you every day."

Before Elise could respond, he continued, as if he had been waiting a long time to say this.

"If Xavier's parents hadn't come to me personally and asked me to let you work at Chen Group before the wedding, saying the two of you needed time together to understand each other and build your relationship, I would've refused from the start."

He let out a dissatisfied huff.

"Do you know how reluctant I was? My daughter, a director at another man's company." He shook his head. "It never sat right with me. You're the future owner of Foster Group. One day, everything I have will be yours. Why should my precious girl spend her days helping someone else build his empire when she has one of her own waiting for her?"

Elise's smile softened.

She leaned lightly against the marble pillar beside the entrance, listening patiently as her father complained.

Kevin had said these same words countless times over the past year, yet every single time he sounded just as serious as the first.

Despite not sharing a single drop of blood with her, Kevin and Grace had never treated her as anything less than their own daughter. From the day they adopted her, they had poured all of their love into her, giving her everything they possibly could. They celebrated every birthday with her, comforted her whenever she was upset, and supported every decision she made. Not once had they ever allowed her to feel different from any biological child.

"Dad," Elise said gently, "I'm doing alright. I'm only helping Xavier for now."

Kevin snorted. "Your company needs you more."

Elise smiled again, already imagining the stubborn expression on his face.

"How about I come home this weekend?" she asked. "It's been a long time since I saw you and Mom."

There was complete silence on the other end.

For two whole seconds, Kevin didn't say a word.

Then suddenly—

"Grace!"