Chapter 137
Lorik scoffed, his gaze cutting through the room like ice. “And what difference does that make? He’s still out there, and now he’s coming after me.”
Before Andrew could respond, the door opened, and a doctor stepped in to check on Lorik’s injuries. I helped him up, guiding him to the examination room as the tension in the air remained thick and
stifling.
As the doctor began the check–up, Andrew and I stood in the hallway. The door had barely cooed behind us when Andrew’s mask of civility fell completely. His expression was one of thinly veiled
nger as he turned to face me.
“Miss Shir
Shirley,” he began, his voice low and dangerous, T’ve had just about enough of you. What will it take for you to leave Lorik alone?”
I stared at him, stunned by the audacity of his words. “Excuse me? You’re blaming me? It’s “your” son who’s been chasing after “me*, not the other way around. I’m hiding here, and he’s the one following me around, so maybe point your finger somewhere else.”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed as he regarded me. After a moment, he sighed as if he had reached a
reluctant decision.
“You get married as soon as you can! Marry whoever you want! When you marry, he’ll be dead in the water! If you can marry within ten days, I’ll give you ten million. If you marry within a month, I’ll give you five million. If you marry within two months, you’ll only get one million. Don’t think I don’t know that it’s most direct to dump money to deal with a gold–digging, vain woman like you”
2
His tone was scornful, and the implication behind his words was clear he saw me as nothing more
than a gold–digger.
I opened my mouth, ready to tear into him, but before I could get a word out, a voice boomed from behind us, making my heart stop.
“Andrew,” the voice growled, “I’ll give “you” one hundred million to get out of my daughter’s face and never show up again.”
The hospital hallway seemed to stretch forever, filled with the sterile scent of disinfectant and the inuted hum of machines. I stood frozen, shocked as Ethan, my father, approached us with an aura of authority that made Andrew’s earlier intimidation seem like child’s play. Ethan’s dark blue suit clung perfectly to his frame, his steps exuding the confidence of a man who had nothing to prove. His eyes, a mix of calculated calm and concealed anger, immediately put me at ease.
I couldn’t suppress the relief that surged through me. It felt as though I had fully found aceta harbor amidst the tension that had thickened in the room. I quickly coomed the dictmare B a smile spreading on my face as I threw my arms around him.
“Tather! What brings you here?” I asked, my voice filled with surprise and delighe
Ethan, always composed, gave a small smile as he hugged me back, geetly petting my koed ardore stepping back to face Andrew. His voice was firm, unyielding “This hospital, horsey, is one of my investments. When I heard you were here and my calls weren’t going through 1 awed the worst So I came immediately.”
Feeling a pang of guilt, I quickly fumbled for my phone and, upon inspecting it, realized the ven had cracked during the altercation with the robbers the day before. “Ah, my phone more berken
esterday,” I muttered, embarrassed. I didn’t even realize it had been damaged in all the chaos
Andrew, who had been watching the entire exchange with an increasingly sour expression, deared his throat before speaking. His voice, though polite, dripped with sarcasm. “Well, well, Mr. Bean I’ve heard a lot about you- a famous pianist, yes? But throwing around a figure like a hundred million… Surely, it’s not that easy for a musician, is it? His words were laced with skepticism, as if daring Ethan to prove his worth.
I winced. Andrew had no idea who he was dealing with. My father’s reputation as a pianist was only a fraction of the man he was. While he maintained a low profile in the public eye, his influence in the financial world was far–reaching, something few people knew about. And judging by the way Ethan’s eyes darkened, Andrew was about to find out.
Ethan’s lips barely moved, but the calm intensity of his words sent a shiver down my spine. The two–billion–dollar deal you finalized yesterday at the international conference in Mufat city–do you happen to know who the principal party on the other side was?”
Andrew blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift. His face faltered as he processed Ethan’s words. but before he could form a response, Ethan was already dialing a number on his phone. “Hold on he said curtly, addressing his assistant. Put the deal with Silvermoon on hold. The person in charge doesn’t seem to appreciate the opportunity.”
