The Real Heiress Rules the World

Chapter 310 Don’t Say That Word

Lucas’ pupils contracted sharply.

He had never seen Sloane like this-her eyes rimmed red, yet her presence sharp and unyielding, as if she had finally stopped holding back. Wait… she said like!

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His breath hitched violently; his heart slammed against his chest as if struck by a heavy blow. His grip on Sloane’s wrist tightened without him even realizing it.

“What did you just say…” His voice came out hoarse, almost broken. “Like?”

Sloane could feel the faint tremor in his arms; those hands that were always steady and in control now fumbled at her waist, tightening and loosening as though at a loss. The ever- composed Lucas looked, in that moment, like a boy bewildered by a piece of unexpected candy.

She cleared her throat softly and reminded him, “If your answer doesn’t satisfy me, then I won’t…”

Her words were muffled. “Mmph?”

Lucas suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth, a flash of panic flickering in his eyes. “Don’t say that word.” He could feel the warmth of her breath against his palm, his heartbeat so wild it threatened to burst from his chest.

Sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, scattering faint shadows across the hard line of his jaw. Sloane had never seen Lucas like this-the calculating head of Hawthorne Group, always two steps ahead, now so visibly afraid of losing.

“I’ll tell you.” Lucas drew in a steadying breath, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of her hand. “At that time, I had just taken over Hawthorne Group. The board-those old foxes-kept pressing me to marry into another family.” A wry smile touched his lips. “Out of all the candidates, Ginnie was the only one who never said she liked me.”

Sloane narrowed her eyes. “So you chose her?”

“Because she was calm, and she was clever.” Lucas met her gaze without flinching. “I needed a partner who could help me steady the situation, not some woman obsessed with the title of Mrs. Hawthorne.”

wasn’t without ambition; she just hid it better than the rest.” His expression grew intent as he added, word by word, “I never proposed to her. I only

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true intentions, I ended things. After

only person he had ever wanted to propose to was the one standing before him

stayed silent, her lashes sweeping down, casting a veil of shadow across her face. Gently, she

immediately caught her wrist. “Sloane?” His voice carried a raw urgency he had never shown

voice was calm, but she still withdrew her

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him. Sunlight traced the outline of

his feet, throat tightening.

are you satisfied with that

the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. “I need time

took a step closer. “Sloane, you

pointed to the door, a sly glimmer in her eyes. “I want some time

“But…”

two…” Sloane began

The calculating president of Hawthorne Group looked, in that instant, like a guilty schoolboy-helpless under her

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211 Don’t You Dare

You

and walked toward the door. He glanced back; Sloane stood with her arm cromed by the window, sunlight gilding her in a golden halo-so breathtakingly beautiful it hurt to look at her. Do you think she’s mad