Chapter 5
1057 Words
Ruby had guarded her identity as Dr. N fiercely, planning to keep it hidden for as long as possible.
It was the only sanctuary she had from the toxicity of her other life.
They're trying hard. But don't worry, we'll maintain complete confidentiality. Miles assured.
You sure? She pressed.
Absolutely. Even if they do come close, who would ever suspect that Dr. N, the brilliant mind behind solving the hydrogen fuel problem, is merely a sweet-faced, fresh college graduate?
Ruby rolled her eyes over the sarcastic remark. But if her team wasn't panicked, then things were still under control.
She trusted them. She knew she had an exceptional group backing her. His reassurance eased the fear twisting in her stomach.
Until Miles dropped another bomb.
By the way, we've acquired information on Owen Knight.
Hearing his name, Ruby froze.
Tell me everything.
You know, the rumor mill says he's ruthless, stone-cold, which is why the family shipped him overseas when he was young.
Everyone thought the family business would go to the eldest son, Carter Knight's dad, but then.
Out of nowhere, Owen comes back to the States last week, uses some, let's say, extreme methods to force the old man into retirement.
And takes over the whole Knight Group himself. He paused, then asked.
I thought you found some pushover for a sham marriage today. How did the groom suddenly turn into a corporate killer?
Boss, if your marital status isn't stable, it's going to affect the IPO.
Ruby frowned. Get it.
His contact info and his schedule. I'll find him again. The only reason she agreed to her mother, Sheila's ridiculous demand to get married immediately.
Was for the IPO. A married legal representative just looked better on the application.
But now she was hitched to a total stranger, who was clearly part of some larger scheme she'd been dragged into.
Owen Knight was not a simple man. The smart play was to get a divorce fast and cut her losses before things got any more complicated.
Hanging up, Ruby rubbed her temples. This was a mess. With his status, an army of bodyguards, getting to him wasn't going to be easy.
She shouldn't have been so impulsive. Calling him husband right out of the gate had just made him bolt.
She sighed, kicking her old scooter back to life and slowly heading home. The bustle of the city center faded behind her as she reached an older neighborhood in Queens.
She'd moved out of the Anderson Mansion back in middle school with barely any money to her name, so this rundown apartment was all she could afford.
Over the years, she'd gotten used to it and never bothered to leave.
Just as she was about to turn onto her block, an old woman, around eighty, suddenly stumbled out from the side of the road.
Ruby slammed on her brakes, and the scooter screeched to a halt just inches from her.
Ruby stared at the woman, her first thought being some kind of insurance scam, but a second look told her something was wrong.
The woman was thin and frail, but her clothes were expensive. She clearly wasn't from around here.
A bracelet was clasped around her delicate wrist, engraved with a phone number and a message: If found, please call. Generous reward offered.
Alzheimer's. Ruby figured. She wondered whose grandmother had wandered off. She pulled out her phone to dial the number.
As she did, the dazed old woman suddenly seemed to snap into focus. She grabbed Ruby's wrist, her cloudy eyes lighting up with sudden recognition.
Oh goodness. I finally found you. I have finally found my granddaughter-in-law.
Ruby's mouth twitched. Single for twenty-two years, and in one day she'd somehow collected another husband.
Was the city clerk's office running a two-for-one special?
Playing along with the absurdity of it all, she asked casually.
Ma'am, who was your grandson?
The old woman's brow furrowed in concentration.
What was that boy's name again? She thought hard. The name, so close just a second ago, slipped right out of her grasp.
Hey, don't worry about it. Ruby said gently. It's okay if you can't remember.
She stepped aside and pulled out her phone, already dialing a number.
The old woman suddenly perked up.
His name is Knight. Knight. What was it again?
Owen. Yes. Owen Knight.
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, Owen sat stone-faced in the back of a Bentley. His assistant, Leo Yates, sat beside him.
Barely daring to breathe.
This is all my fault. Leo whispered more to himself than to his boss.
Wasn't careful enough. I let her get lost.
Owen didn't say a word, but the icy chill radiating from him was enough to make Leo tremble.
His grandmother was usually so confused. Who would have guessed she'd have a sudden moment of clarity, dismiss her caretakers, and sneak out of the house?
They checked the security footage and discovered she'd somehow managed to get on a bus by herself all the way out to the boroughs.
This part of town was pretty run-down, with half the streets missing cameras. They had no choice but to search for her block by block.
Just then his phone rang.
Owen snatched it up on the first ring. A soft, clear female voice came through the line.
Hey, hi. I think I have your grandmother with me.
The air in the car instantly went frigid. Everyone froze.
One of the security guys reached for his phone to call the police, while Leo immediately started tracing the call.
Owen's eyes narrowed.
How much? he asked, his voice dangerously calm.
What? No, I mean, she lost her way. The woman on the other end said.
You really need to keep a better eye on her.
She gave him the address, then hung up.
Owen stared at his phone for a moment.
That voice.
Why did it sound so familiar?
A few moments later, they arrived at the location. The girl from the phone was nowhere in sight.
The only person there was a cop keeping watch over his grandmother.
Owen rushed over.
Grandma, how did you get here?
I came to find my granddaughter-in-law. The old woman announced proudly.
She lives right around here.
Owen paused, then let out a tired sigh.
Grandma, I'm not married
- Writer
