The Real Heiress Rules the World

Chapter 202 When Rivals Meet

Larry’s hand paused awkwardly in midair before he pulled it back. His smile stayed polite, but something cold flickered in his eyes.

He glanced over at Lucas and said with a casual edge, “Word is there’s a lot happening at the Hawthorne Group these days. Surprised you’ve got time to hang around the hospital, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Lucas barely looked at him. His voice was even, but there was a chill underneath.

“If you’re so invested in what’s going on at the Hawthorne Group, maybe you should spend a little more time managing your own company. I heard you tried pitching a partnership to Peak Corp but they turned you down.”

Larry’s smile didn’t waver, but the sharp flicker in his eyes gave him away. “Yeah, maybe the Houston Group still has some catching up to do. They clearly preferred the Hawthorne Group instead. Looks like I’ve got a lot to learn from you, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Sloane stayed quiet, watching it play out. Larry was clearly in over his head—Lucas had him cornered from the start.

Seeing the conversation wasn’t going in his favor, Larry turned his attention to her instead. “I asked the florist to wrap up a bouquet of lilies for you. They’re supposed to help you relax–thought they might be good for your recovery.” Then, with a casual smile, he added, “By the way, when I saw you just a few days ago, you seemed perfectly fine. What happened?”

Lucas’s brow twitched at that. Did they meeta few days ago? They met up recently?

kept her smile polite and distant. “The weather’s been so unpredictable lately. I must’ve caught a cold. But thank you for

a guest, and Sloane didn’t want to brush him off. She stayed polite, even if the conversation felt

other hand, wasn’t even trying to hide how he

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Sloane and Larry were mid–conversation, he walked over with her medication and interrupted flatly, “Sloane,

surprised as he placed the pills in

a cup of warm water. “Here.

the pills without question. Didn’t I usually take these after meals? Did they change

taken the medicine, Larry tried to pick the conversation

segment near her

at him, wide–eyed, before biting into the orange. It

as she chewed, Lucas couldn’t help but smile. The affection in his

it nearly wiped the smile off his face. His hand, resting

finished the orange, Lucas didn’t waste any time. “Sloane needs to rest now. Mr.