Under the Veil I Rule
Chapter 74

"Please, everyone, keep today's events confidential. A lawyer will be here shortly to discuss matters with you. Kindly wait patiently and do not leave prematurely, as the consequences could be more than any of you can handle."

Will squeezed through the crowd, smiling as he spoke, escorting Finnian and Amara out of the place.

The two made their way to Amara's nearby apartment. As soon as they walked in, Amara pushed Finnian away, putting a good three feet between them, her gaze lowered. "Thanks for what you did back there."

She hadn't expected Finnian to show up in her most embarrassing moment, but she was genuinely grateful.

"No problem."

Finnian looked at her eyes and asked, "Are you okay?"

The question brought the earlier encounter with the nosy reporter back to Amara's mind, making her feel uncomfortable again. She turned her head away.

Finnian recalled the incident too, his expression darkening. "Those reporters are such jerks."

Amara nodded, a bit pale, and said, "Come on in."

Amara headed to the kitchen, grabbed two glasses of warm water, and after pulling down her mask to take a sip, brought one to Finnian in the living room.

Finnian took a sip and said, "I saw the trending news. I'll have someone look into the photo situation. Don't worry."

"No need," Amara shook her head. "I'm pretty sure it was Elowen who leaked it."

Amara was convinced it was Elowen since the photo had been taken by her in the first place. Imagining Elowen's triumphant face made Amara seethe with anger. She needed to figure out how to handle this.

A loud bang erupted at the door.

"Ama, are you home? Open up!"

Keith's urgent knocking and shouting startled Amara.

"Who's that?"

Finnian's gaze was fixed on the door like he was on edge for some reason, his expression a tad severe. "Just a friend of mine," Amara replied, flustered.

Keith continued knocking like he wouldn't stop until the end of time, and Amara's heart was in her throat.

There was no way she could let

Keith and Finnian meet. Keith had never liked Finnian, and their friendship had even ended over it for three years. Now that they were finally on good terms again, she didn't want to risk losing him.

"Why not let him in?"

Finnian noticed Amara's uneasy expression, as if she was expressly panicked. He couldn't figure out the

reason.

"Ama, open the door! I heard your phone ring, I know you're there!"

Amara was silent. She'd left her phone on the entryway table when they came in, so when Keith called, it rang just inches from him. Of course, he heard it.

Finnian's eyes were dark as he stared at the door. "Let him in."

His commanding tone made Amara frown. She had every intention of opening the door for Keith, but she couldn't let him see Finnian there. As the doorbell chimed more insistently, panic crept in.

"Mr. Everly, come on over."

Keith called again from outside. Amara couldn't wait any longer. She grabbed Finnian by the wrist, pulling him into another room, opened a closet, and pushed him inside.

"Amara!"

Finnian was taken aback by her sudden move.