Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 287: A large bait...

The assistant’s head snapped towards his boss, taking in the hard lines etched across Desmond’s face. It wasn’t often that Rick saw his boss this tense, his usually calm demeanor riddled with traces of unease. A gnawing sense of curiosity and concern crept into his thoughts.

"What exactly is happening?" Rick wondered silently. Desmond. Uf had been relentless these past few days, hopping from city to city, meeting unseen faces in hidden places.

He had never seen Desmond like this—not even when the Allen board threatened his influence years ago. Rick hadn’t been present the day Desmond visited Davis in the hospital, so the cause of this sudden anxiety remained unknown to him. Still, his instincts screamed that something was unraveling fast.

Recalling his instructions on phone asking him to arrange a press conference and also to arrange a legal team, his heart skipped a beat and his brow furrowed.

As if reflecting on his own uncertain future, Rick narrowed his eyes in quiet thought. "Will there be a power shift? Is Davis regaining his strength or influence? Should I start preparing for the rainy days ahead? I have my family to think about too. Maybe it’s best to stay silent and observe for now."

Lost in his musing, he barely noticed Desmond shift in his seat until his voice broke the silence.

"Rick, how many people around me do you think are truly loyal to me?"

The question hit like a bolt of lightning. Rick’s ears tingled as if he had been physically struck. The question wasn’t just rhetorical; it was loaded and unnerving.

He hadn’t expected this question, this concern—not now.

Only moments ago, he had been entertaining thoughts of planning for his own safety—probably securing a way out for himself. Now Desmond was probing for loyalty when he hadn’t even considered this issue.

Rick swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. His gaze flickering and unable to meet Desmond’s eyes. He forced a confident tone though it wavered ever so slightly. "Sir, I believe many people will stand with you. You’ve been good to them."

Desmond nodded slowly, repeating the words, "You’re right," he murmured though his expression betrayed a lack of conviction. Deep down, even he doubted the extent of loyalty surrounding him. He wasn’t convinced he had truly been good to them

Rick released a quiet breath, trying to calm his fraying nerves. But just as he began to relax, hoping that moment had passed. Desmond spoke again, softer this time, yet every bit as piercing.

"Rick, are you loyal? Or should I say... will you remain loyal?"

Rick hadn’t expected to be singled out. His heart pounded. It was a direct challenge, one that didn’t allow room for half-truths or vague answers. He hesitated, nodded and finally managed, "Yes. I am and will be."

Though he uttered the words, his heart continued to thunder against his chest.

Desmond simply looked at him and then turned his head toward the front of the car. He had noticed the brief hesitation, the slight tremble of his hand which is on the steering but then...

"Alright. Let’s go inside." Desmond said, his voice revealing nothing of his true thoughts or intentions.

of the car. Rick scrambled after him, following

Desmond had always asked him to wait outside while he met with

wealth and opulence. Commonly known across Country Y as a

was infamous for hosting deals that never saw the light of day. Its underground operations were rumored to influence stock markets, elections, and even transcontinental

membership card, Sir," he

over a sleek, gold-trimmed card. The doorman inspected it thoroughly before handing it back with a

behind him, his eyes darting around as he took in the club’s

suit approached them. Judging from the earpiece and measured steps, Rick guessed

said. Desmond nodded and followed him,

alive with energy—throbbing music, bursts of laughter, clinking glasses, and shadowy figures whispering in velvet booths. But the security man led them past all of it, toward the back halls cloaked in

a wave of fear and unease sweep

to be made from gold, and with the lighting, the entire space

thoughts ran wild with the memory of past mistakes, with Davis’s name heavy on his

heightened. Though skeptical about this trip, he had to take the risk. He

gamble, one that could correct his

clenched with one decision

power vacuum the Allen

shimmered under the faint light. Rick, eyes wide,

door creaked open. He

A low fire burned behind thick glass.

he thought, trying to shake off the fog seeping into his

and low, sliced through the silence. "You

again. His eyes adjusted, and finally, he saw the figure across the room. A man seated in a high-backed chair, dressed in grey robes, his face

is it you want that made you seek

came

his head, his eyes glinting like a hawk. "And what do I stand

hesitated. This

in removing the shares from the old man’s hands, then you will become the

man murmured, "That is a large

was sentimental, stubborn, and sharp but mildly he is a shrew. He

no longer cared how it would be done. The time for diplomacy had passed. If he couldn’t be accepted into the

continued for hours. As they carefully plotted out the best