Chapter 7

Kiara's grandparents exchanged a relieved glance, grateful for the positive news. "That's wonderful to hear, doctor," her grandmother said with a smile. "Thank you for taking such good care of our granddaughter."

The doctor waved off their gratitude with a chuckle. "It's all part of the job. Just make sure she gets plenty of rest and follows up with her medication."

As the doctor left the room to prepare her discharge paperwork, Kiara's grandparents helped her gather her belongings and get ready to leave. Despite the ordeal she had been through, Kiara couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. She was finally going home, away from the hospital and the painful memories it held.

With her grandparents by her side, Kiara walked out of the hospital room and into the bright sunlight streaming through the windows. It was a new day, full of possibilities, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Kiara and her grandparents made their way out of the hospital, Robinson wasted no time in implementing his plan to bring Mike and Kiara together. He orchestrated chance encounters, arranged social events, and manipulated situations to ensure their paths crossed repeatedly.

One evening, at a charity gala hosted by the Robinson family, Kiara found herself face to face with Mike once again. Despite her best efforts to avoid him, she couldn't escape his magnetic presence.

Mike approached her with a charming smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, well, if it isn't the elusive Miss Davis. Fancy meeting you here."

Kiara forced a polite smile, her guard up against his smooth words. "Mr. Robinson. What a surprise."

They exchanged pleasantries, their conversation polite but strained. Kiara was keenly aware of the lingering tension between them, a silent reminder of their tumultuous past encounters.

After a few minutes of awkward small talk, Mike excused himself to mingle with other guests. Kiara breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the temporary reprieve from his intense gaze.

Later that evening, as Kiara was preparing to leave the gala, she spotted Mike across the room. He was engrossed in conversation with a group of businessmen, his easy confidence evident as he charmed them with his wit and charm.

Despite herself, Kiara couldn't help but admire his charisma. But she quickly pushed aside any thoughts of attraction, reminding herself of the cold-hearted man he had revealed himself to be.

As she made her way towards the exit, Kiara resolved to put Mike Robinson out of her mind once and for all. She had no desire to be tangled up in his world of power and privilege.

And as for Mike, he watched Kiara leave with a sense of resignation. He knew their encounters had only served to reinforce her negative opinion of him. And while a part of him longed to prove her wrong, he knew it was futile.

He didn't need a plain Jane like her in his life. And she certainly didn't need a cold-hearted man like him.

As Kiara stepped out into the cool night air, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. The weight of the evening's encounters lifted from her shoulders, replaced by a simmering frustration at the persistent interference in her life.

Just then, a voice called out from behind her. "Miss Davis, wait!"

Kiara turned to see Mike striding towards her, his expression determined. Despite herself, she couldn't suppress the surge of annoyance that coursed through her.

"What do you want now, Mr. Robinson?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Mike stopped in front of her, his jaw clenched with barely contained frustration. "I'm not here to apologize, if that's what you're expecting. I just want to set the record straight."

Kiara raised an eyebrow, her arms folded across her chest. "And what record would that be?"

"That I'm not some heartless monster, as you seem to believe," Mike retorted, his tone defensive. "I've had enough of your baseless accusations and melodramatic theatrics."

Kiara's eyes flashed with indignation. "Baseless accusations? You nearly ran me over with your car, and you have the audacity to accuse me of melodrama?"

Mike's nostrils flared with barely contained anger. "You were the one standing in the middle of the road like a fool! If anyone's to blame for that near-miss, it's you!"

The tension crackled between them, each refusing to back down from the heated exchange. Kiara's fists clenched at her sides, her resolve hardening with each passing moment.

"Fine, believe whatever you want," she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "But stay out of my way, Mr. Robinson. I have no interest in whatever games you're playing."

With that, Kiara turned on her heel and stormed off into the night, leaving Mike seething with frustration and unresolved anger.

Robinson sat behind his imposing desk, a cold glint in his eyes as he regarded his son. "Michael, you've made a mess of things with that Davis girl. But mark my words, we will not let this opportunity slip through our fingers."

Mike shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his jaw clenched with frustration. "I've told you, Father, I won't be coerced into this marriage. I won't sacrifice my happiness for the sake of your business deals."

Robinson's lip curled into a sneer. "Happiness? You think happiness pays the bills, Michael? You think happiness will keep this empire afloat?"

Mike opened his mouth to retort, but Robinson held up a hand to silence him. "No, we need the Davis merger now more than ever. And if you won't play your part willingly, then we'll make sure you do it by force."

Mike's heart sank at his father's words, the weight of his ultimatum bearing down on him like a ton of bricks. "You wouldn't..."

Robinson's gaze hardened, his voice steely. "Oh, I would. And I will. Consider this your final warning, Michael. Marry Kiara Davis, or face the consequences."

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Mr. Davis paced anxiously in his office, his brow furrowed with worry. His company was on the brink of collapse, and he knew he needed Robinson's help to save it.

As if on cue, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. With a sense of trepidation, he answered, steeling himself for the conversation to come.

"Robinson," he greeted curtly.

"Mr. Davis," came the smooth reply from the other end of the line. "I trust you're well?"

Mr. Davis sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've been better, Robinson. My company is in trouble, and I need your help."