Sloane didn’t flinch. Her gaze met Lucas’s squarely, calm and unwavering. A faint smile curved at her lips. “Mr. Hawthorne, you just said yourself–I’m not someone who belongs in a small pond. With my capabilities, there will be plenty of opportunities for us to work together in the future. This partnership is just the beginning. There’s a lot more money to be made down the line.”

She paused, letting her words settle before continuing. “If you insist on pushing this, I may have to consider other partners. I’m not exactly tied to Hawthorne Corp.”

The two of them stared each other down. The air between them felt charged, like invisible smoke rising from a silent standoff–each one testing the other’s limits.

After a long beat, Lucas broke the silence.

“Fine. We’ll do it your way. Fifty–fifty.” Then he added, “But on one condition: this partnership isn’t with Hawthorne Corp–it’s with me. Personally.”

Sloane extended her hand without hesitation. “Deal. Looking forward to it, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Lucas took her hand and smiled again, his earlier sharpness fading into warm curiosity. “I’ll be expecting more surprises from you, Ms. Sloane.”

Just then, Andrew walked in and leaned down to whisper something in Lucas’s ear.

giving nothing away. “Got it,”

a few keywords–the Shanks family, the Rivers family, injury–and

that happened in Stonebridge

turned to her, a probing glint in his eyes. “Ms. Sloane, Word just came in–Adrian

sipped from her glass, her expression unchanged. “You’re asking the wrong person, Mr. Hawthorne. That question

didn’t press the issue. Instead, he shifted topics. “Ms. Marshall is a fortunate woman. One son’s a top lawyer–already well–known in the field at a young age. The other just made headlines

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94 Lucas

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+20 Free Coins

to dissolve them efficiently. Clinical trials show a significant increase in success rates, with reduced bleeding risk. If the technology succeeds

slow sip of water, her voice even. “Is that something you’re interested

it. “If it works, it’ll revolutionize medicine. And shake up the investment

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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