The Real Heiress Rules the World

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.

composed, face giving nothing away. “Got it,” he

keywords–the Shanks family, the Rivers family, injury–and quickly pieced it

happened in

just came in–Adrian was injured at the hotel. Aren’t you going

glass, her expression unchanged. “You’re asking the

topics. “Ms. Marshall is a fortunate woman. One son’s a top lawyer–already well–known in the field at

1/2

7:59 Thu, Sep 4

Lucas

76

+20 Free Coins

in success rates, with reduced bleeding risk. If the technology succeeds and hits clinical use, it could dramatically cut mortality and disability rates for cardiovascular patients. It could save countless lives–and maybe even turn the tide for the Rivers family in the

her voice even. “Is that something

didn’t deny it. “If it works, it’ll revolutionize medicine. And