Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Everyone stood there , stunned , like they'd been hit by a truck . They gawked as Tobias sauntered up to Kaia , tilting his umbrella over her . " Let's bounce , " he said . " Cool . " Kaia nodded , unfazed . 55 vouchers What the hell ?! No one could believe it . This guy , who looked like he belonged on a movie poster , was here for Kaia . Shock didn't cover it . When Kaia and Tobias slid into a sleek Maybach parked curbside , the crowd's jaws hit the floor . " That's a limited - edition Maybach , right ? Costs a fortune - tens of millions , easy . And money alone won't get you one ," a car- obsessed guy muttered . Everyone , Casey included , glanced at Philip's sports car . It was cool , sure , but next to that Maybach ? A toy car versus a rocket Inside , Kaia shot Tobias a grin . " Thanks for the save ." " Don't get sappy , " Tobias said , stone - faced . " Grandpa sent me . " " Yeah , but Mr. Moreno didn't tell you to hop out , hold an umbrella , and clown on those jerks . " Tobias shrugged . " Grandpa would've had my head if I didn't . You're basically a Moreno now with the engagement coming . No one's messing with you on my watch . " " Still , I owe you . " Kaia hated owing favors . She'd settle the score later . Tobias glanced at her . " Wanna thank me ? One condition . " " Shoot " Post - engagement , don't go crushing on me ." Yaia smirked . " Relax , man . You're not my vibe . You could strip down in my bed , and I'd barely notice ." Tobias frowned . He got his way , but her words left a weird twinge in his gut . Soon , the car pulled up to the sprawling Moreno villa . " Grandpa's still out cold , Tobias said . " Got it . I'll wait in the living room , Kaia replied . Kaia stepped inside and spotted Russell lounging on the couch , eyes glued to the TV like he owned the place . " Hi " Russell gave a half - hearted wave , then ignored her . Suddenly , something zipped through the air , aiming for Kaia's head . " Watch it ! " Tobias shouted , lunging to block it . 1/3 Chapter 9 Too late . He was too far . But Kaia ? She reached back and - bam - snagged the thing like it was nothing . ' Damn , she's fast . Damn , she's fast . 55 vouchers Tobias blinked , floored . Kaia hadn't even flinched . She stood there , calm as a summer breeze , like she knew she had it handled . No ! My Sparky No. 2 ! " A kid , maybe eight or nine , sprinted over , looking like he was about to cry . Kaia eyed the disc - shaped robot in her hand , buzzing like an angry wasp . Chill ! " the kid snapped , face beet - red . " I spent a month on that . Break it , and you're dead ! " tussell grinned . " Easy , Kaia . That's Caden , Tobias's little bro . Kid's untouchable around here . Lives for his robots , so don't rash his toy unless you want a war . Even Mr. Moreno might not bail you out . " Tobias glared at Caden . " Your gadget almost clocked her . Say sorry . " Caden wilted under his brother's stare , muttering , " Sorry ." tussell whistled . " This kid's a fearless little punk everywhere else , but Tobias ? He's his kryptonite . " Shut up , " Caden snapped , snatching the robot from Kaia . " What's wrong with my you ? I checked the wires , the chip- verything ! Why'd you go nuts ? " Laia crouched next to him . " Cleaning bot , right ? " aden's head whipped up , eyes huge . " How'd you know ?! " Looked at it . Figured it out , " Kaia said with a shrug . She clocked it just like that ? ' Caden wondered . Laden wasn't the only one stunned . Russell and Tobias exchanged a glance , both clearly impressed . How'd you even guess ? " Caden blurted . Caia flashed a sly grin . " Easy . This ain't your basic vacuum bot . It's for high - up stuff - ceiling lamps , chandeliers , right ? " Caden's jaw dropped . ' She got it again ? Kaia held out her hand . " Give it here . I'll fix it . " ' No way ! You ? Caden yanked the bot behind his back , like Kaia's touch might zap it dead . Russell , who'd almost started liking Kaia for a hot second , felt that vibe crash and burn . ' Show - off , he thought . " Hey , Kaia , " Russell cut in , arms crossed . " Don't let this kid's age trick you . Caden's a legit genius . Won a big - deal tech contest at five with a bot he built himself . His stuff's high - end , not some toy you can fiddle with . " Kaia's cool gaze slid from Russell to Caden . " This thing screams like a banshee when you start it , yeah ? " 11:45 pm Chapter 9 Caden blinked . " How'd you know ? " " And it veers off a bit when it flies , doesn't it ? " " You know that too ? " " Plus , it gets hot as hell if you run it long , and when it overheats , it goes nuts - like just now . " " H - How- " Caden was speechless , his brain fritzing out . 55 vouchers Kaia didn't skip a beat . " Bet it's got pulse output issues , maybe a wonky encoder cable and positioning circuit . Servo gain's probably off too . That's just from a glance . Gotta test it to know more ." The room went dead quiet , like someone hit mute . All eyes were on Kaia . Tobias had this weird glint in his eyes , like he was trying to crack a code . His brain was in overdrive . Caden's eyes were practically popping out . ' All that from one look ? ' " Let me take a swing at it ," Kaia said , her voice cutting the silence like a blade . 11:45 pm Chapter 10 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!