?<strong>Chapter 1331:</strong>


    “Kenji, I heard the Ward family paid a visit today. Were they there to set the engagement date?”


    A scoff escaped Kenji’s lips.


    “To call off the engagement.”


    “That’s fantastic news!” The man’s eyes widened with genuine delight.


    “You’re finally free!”


    Kenji set down his ss, savoring a ghost of a smile that yed across his features. But his moment of satisfaction evaporated instantly as his keen eyes caught a familiar silhouette framed in the doorway.


    There stood Scarlette, her face alight with childlike wonder as she drank in the atmosphere, radiating an innocence that seemed wildly out of ce in such an establishment.


    Kenji’s brow furrowed as recognition settled in. Why hadn’t Scarlette returned to Warrington? What business did she have here at this hour? Troubled, Kenji pulled out his phone to call home.


    “Scarlette mentioned she’s taken a liking to Banta, so she’s extending her stay by a few days,” Jaida exined.


    “But what’s she doing in such an establishment?”


    Jaida’s voice carried a note of concern.


    “She’s just stepping into adulthood, still blind to the world’s darker corners. Since you’re there, please watch over her and ensure no harmes her way.”


    Kenji was displeased.


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    “You said she’s an adult now, so why does she need a guardian?”


    “Kenji, as a man, protecting a woman falls under your duties,” Jaida began, but before she could finish, the phone was wrestled from her grasp.


    Ellis’ authoritative voice cut through the line.


    “Are you dismissing your mother’s wishes now? If anything happens to Scarlette, you’ll answer to me personally.”


    The call had barely ended when Kenji’s attention snapped to Scarlette, who was epting a drink from a charming stranger with her characteristic bright-eyed trust. How utterly naive. Did she have any idea who she was dealing with?


    His features hardening into a mask of disapproval, Kenji rose and strode purposefully toward Scarlette.


    Scarlette had just wrapped up a pleasant conversation with the charming man and was raising the ss to her lips when a hand suddenly mped over her mouth.


    Her eyes widened with shock as she whirled around to face the intruder. The moment she recognized Kenji, her expression twisted with revulsion.


    “What do you think you’re doing?”


    Frantically searching for a napkin, Scarlette finally resorted to wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, her disgust evident in every movement.


    Unmoved by her disy of revulsion, Kenji smoothly confiscated the ss from her grip and maneuvered her away from her would-bepanion.


    The charming man’s confident demeanor cracked upon recognizing Kenji.


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