CAUGHT IN HIS WEB

CHAPTER 4

Logan took a long gulp of his wine, his annoyance growing as his family continued to gush about Nia. Even his father, who rarely offered compliments, was unusually effusive and was waxing lyrical about her.

“She didn’t ask for any collateral or even a dime,” his father was saying with admiration, nodding his approval. “She must be a good girl.”

Lena, his mother, smiled warmly.

“Truly remarkable.”

Logan could hardly contain his irritation. “She’s probably just pretending to be nice to win you all over,” he muttered, folding his arms. “People always want something from us.”

He couldn’t let them like her, not after what happened earlier at the sidewalk.

David, his father, ignored him entirely.

“Sadly, I’ll be traveling tomorrow and won’t get the chance to meet her, but make sure she’s comfortable,” he said, directing the comment to everyone except Logan.

“Of course, darling,” Lena replied, her excitement undimmed. “I can’t wait to meet her and hear how she found the handbag.”

“I still can’t believe the thief didn’t sell it,” Dianne added curiously.

“Well, I had security sweep through nearly every store in Starbury,” David said with a satisfied smile. “He must have panicked and abandoned it.”

Lena sighed in relief. “This news is really unbelievable. It truly made my night. That handbag is so special to me.”

Logan rolled his eyes dramatically, but before he could add another sarcastic remark, Dianne turned to him with a question.

“So, Logan, have you resumed school yet?” She asked, changing the subject dramatically.

“Uh huh, I resumed yesterday,” he replied with a shrug.

“You’re in your senior year now,” David said, his tone sharp. “Remember our deal?”

Logan nodded.

“Yeah, I remember. I think I’m ready.”

“You don’t have to hurry into it, darling,” Lena said softly, her green eyes pleading. “There’s no rush at all.”

David frowned.

“Stop pampering him, Lena. He’s eighteen—nearly nineteen. It’s time he stepped up.”

“He’s still in high school, honey,” Lena argued. “He should focus on his studies. Since you don't want to wait till he's done with college before he could manage one of the jewellery stores, why not wait till he's done with high school at least?”

“The earlier, the better for him,” David countered, his voice firm. “I believe he can handle both.” He gave Logan a stern look.

Lena sighed with a sad look at Logan while Dianne bit her lip with a guilty expression on her face, as she wondered if the conversation would have been avoided if she hadn't brought up Logan's schooling.

Logan flashed a charming smile, the kind that always worked on women.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. It’s a piece of cake. I’ve learned so much from dad already, and I’m ready to learn more.”

Lena and Dianne exchanged relieved smiles.

“That's exactly what I want to hear, son,” his father said with a proud smile lighting up his face. It was a really rare sight for Logan.

“We’ll finalize everything when I’m back.”

he added as he stood up to leave.

Logan sipped his wine as he watched his father leave, trying to mask his nerves. Managing one of his father’s jewelry stores sounded simple enough, but he knew it was completely the opposite. David wasn’t a man who accepted failure lightly.

While his father demanded excellence, their relationship was distant at best. He didn't care about anything Logan did, as far as he did well in his academics and successfully took over him later as his heir. David’s focus was always on the business, leaving little room for personal connection.

Logan suspected his father favored Dianne anyway. It didn’t bother him much—she was responsible, reliable, and clearly inherited more of their father’s traits.

Besides, his mother had always favored him, creating a balance of sorts.

Dianne had their father's brown eyes, pointed nose, dimples, as well as his dark brown hair.

Logan on the other hand looked more like his mom and also shared the same golden curly hair. But unlike his mother's green eyes, his hazel eyes were a mixture of both of his parents.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Logan decided to clear his head with a swim. Swimming was his hubby, and he had three swimming pools. He headed to one of his personal pools, appreciating the solitude the sprawling mansion offered. The 12-bedroom estate, complete with libraries, wine bars, and six swimming pools, often felt excessive, even to him. But tonight, he was grateful for the space.

Diving into the cool water, Logan allowed the rhythm of swimming to calm his restless mind. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake off his thoughts about Nia.

After nearly an hour, he lounged on a chair, a towel draped over his hips.

The memory of the stubborn girl he’d encountered on the sidewalk surfaced, and his fists clenched. Nia.

A smirk tugged at his lips. She will be at the house tomorrow.

Has she looked up the name Jared mentioned? Does she know who I am now?

The thought of her realizing he was a billionaire’s son amused him. Logan chuckled darkly.

Would she be able to act stubborn and rude towards him after knowing he's a billionaire's son or would she come crawling, begging for forgiveness?

That last thought made him grin. He wanted to see her kneel, to watch her pride crumble.

He decided then and there—whatever plans he had for tomorrow could wait. He needed to be around when Nia arrived.

Why am I so eager to see her again?

The question lingered in his mind as he stared at the darkened sky. But Logan dismissed it quickly, his grin widening.

Tomorrow will be interesting.