Chapter 12 They Work Together
+8 Pearls
Sloane’s words made Lucas‘ eyes narrow, and the painful memories he had deliberately buried surged up from the depths of
his heart.
At first, he had chalked it up to overwork and didn’t think much of it. But as time went on, the pain became more frequent and intense until one day, without warning, he lost consciousness.
“My
blood only woke you up temporarily,” Sloane continued. “If you want to fully detox, it’ll take more effort. So, how about we work together?”
“Work together?” Lucas‘ deep voice broke the silence, tinged with suspicion. “Ms. Rivers, what kind of deal are you proposing?”
Sloane tilted her head, thinking for a moment. “Within six months, I’ll cure you. In return, you’ll help me with three things.”
Lucas had already started to believe her when she accurately described his symptoms. On top of that, she had just saved his life with her blood.
“What three things?” Lucas was a sharp businessman–especially cautious in moments like these.
Sloane frowned slightly as she thought. “The first is, the Hawthorne Group must not cooperate with the Rivers family. As for the other two, I haven’t decided yet. But you have my word, I won’t ask you to do anything against your conscience or harmful to your company.”
“The Hawthorne Group and the Rive,
family?” Lucas frowned in confusion. As far as he knew, the Rivers family wasn’t nearly qualified to work with the Hawthorne Group.
Sloane pointed at Andrew. “You tell him.”
Andrew gave Sloane a strange look, then turned to Lucas and explained, “Mr. Hawthorne, you’ve been unconscious for a long time. The doctors even issued a critical notice. Madam Tessa was desperate and agreed to a rushed marriage ceremony, hoping it would help you ward off your bad luck.”
No one had expected it would actually work.
What Andrew found odd was that Sloane was from the Rivers family, yet her first condition was to block a deal between her own family and the Hawthornes. Doesn’t she realize her family has sent her here to marry into power and gain resources?
Sloane winked at Lucas and smiled. “Told you I wasn’t lying.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. He knew she was referring to her earlier claim about being his fiancée.
“Fine.” Lucas stared at her, his gaze thoughtful and searching. “I agree to the deal. But Ms. Rivers–you’d better give this your all. Because even if I don’t make it, there are countless ways to make you pay the price.” His voice was still weak, but the authority in it left no room for doubt.
Sloane smiled faintly, her confidence unmistakable. “Mr. Hawthorne, you don’t need to worry. I wouldn’t have made this offer if I wasn’t sure I could deliver. But healing you won’t happen overnight. I’ll need your full cooperation during the process.”
As she spoke, she slipped off the bed, walked to the table, picked up a glass, and poured herself a glass of water. Her movements were light and casual, as if she hadn’t just threatened the man minutes ago.
“You should investigate the people around you,” she added, turning to look at him. “The poison’s been building up for a long time. It has to be someone close to you, I’d rather not see the man I just saved poisoned all over again.”
“Understood, Lucas replied, his eyes dark and unreadable. “I won’t let your blood go to waste.”
Now that everything was settled, it was time for Sloane to leave. She’d snuck off for too long–Helen would definitely yell at her when she got back.
She walked over to the window, glanced back at Lucas, and waved. “Goodbye, Mr. Flawthorne. With that, she climbed out the window and disappeared.
Andrew blinked, stunned. He ran to the window, but Sloane was already gone.
