Chapter 378 Endure A Bit Longer
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The restaurant was lavishly decorated, and the entire private room held a subtle fragrance.
Upon seeing Jasmine, Lenora couldn’t help but think about her own origins, feeling a heaviness inside Expressionless, she set down her bag, pulled out a chair, and sat opposite Jasmine.
Jasmine pointed at the spread of dishes across the table. “Our last meeting was too brief. This time, I’ve ordered a few dishes. Let’s cat while we talk.”
“No need. Let’s just get to the point,” Lenora said, leaning back in her chair, not wanting to spend more time talking with Jasmine. “Sophia and I are willing to settle for a settlement regarding Howard, but you need to show some sincerity.”
Since settlement was on the table, she aimed to maximize the benefits.
Jasmine raised her eyebrows, clearly pleased by this unexpected turn. She smiled, “Now that’s better, Nora. You know what they say: a wise man submits to circumstances. Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer any loss.”
For some reason, Lenora felt the room was getting warm.
She glanced up and noticed the heater was on. No wonder.
Loosening her collar, Lenora said, “Then explain how you won’t let me suffer. In other words, how much is Summer worth to you?”
Jasmine smiled and took a bank card out of her handbag, placing it on the table and pushing it toward
Lenora.
The round table spun, and the card stopped in front of Lenora
She picked it up, gave it a look, then raised her eyes to Jasmine.
“There’s five million on it, no password. There’s an ATM right outside the restaurant if you want to check,” Jasmine said.
With the Hoffman family’s vast wealth, she doubted they’d trick her with an empty card after making a promise.
Lenora slipped the card into her bag, pulling out a notebook.
She opened to a page where she’d already written the settlement agreement, tore it out, and was about to hand it to Jasmine.
Suddenly, a figure barged in. Startled, she froze for a moment. In that instant, her settlement agreement was snatched away and torn into pieces, then casually thrown into the trash.
Lenora was dumbstruck, staring at the intruder.
Jasmine recovered quickly and scolded, “Zachary, what are you doing?”
Although Ezekiel had promised to release Summer onge the matter was resolved, having a written settlement agreement offered extra security,
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Chapter 378 Endure A Bit Longer
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Zachary sneered. “I should be asking you. Mdm. Lovestone, what are you doing here? Didn’t Mr. Hoffman tell you not to come around Nora anymore?”
Jasmine’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Lenora sensed something wasn’t right.
Allowing Zachary to pull her out of the private room, she made sure to grab her bag as they left.
Jasmine attempted to stop them but failed, muttering a curse under her breath.
She hadn’t expected Zachary to arrive so promptly.
Picking up the incense, she glanced at its bold packaging, which had the words “Demure to Demoness” on it. She realized it was likely about to work in Zachary’s favor.
Zachary strode ahead, forcing Lenora to quicken her steps to keep up, nearly jogging.
She tugged on his hand. “Could you slow down?”
Zachary shot her a cold look but slowed his pace.
She smiled awkwardly. “When did you get back?”
Just got off the plane,” he replied in a low tone.
“How did you know I was here?”
He gave a mocking laugh and cast her a sidelong glance. “If I hadn’t, would you have gone through with the settlement behind my back?”
Lenora scratched her nose, mumbling, “I just didn’t want the Winfrey family and the Hoffmans to team up against you.”
“Too late.”
“What?”
“We’ll talk in the car.”
They had exited the restaurant, and a black car was parked in the nearby lot.
Zachary opened the back door, then looked at Lenora
She hesitated, pointing to her own car parked a little further down. “I have a driver…”
The look in his eyes silenced her. She quickly climbed into his car, sending a text to her own driver.
Zachary shut the door and got in on the other side.
“What did you mean by ‘too late?” Lenora asked. “Are they already targeting you?”
“This time, I went to Jeahron specifically to visit the Hoffman family. Mr. Hoffman has agreed to stop bothering you and Sophia”
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Chapter 378 Endure A Bit Longer
Lenora’s mouth twitched. Zachary certainly worked fast “So…
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“So Jasmine already received Mr. Hoffman’s instructions, but she’s still acting on her own accord. If you’d gone through with that, all my efforts would have been wasted.”
Zachary cast a sharp glance her way.
Feeling slightly guilty, Lenora looked away. Still, she tried to stand her ground. “You could have told me. I’d known. I definitely wouldn’t have…”
“If I had told you, would you have accepted my help?”
Lenora fell silent.
She let out a sigh.
Maybe there was no need to keep separating herself from him.
She was already so indebted to him that repaying it seemed almost impossible. Owing him a little more hardly mattered now.
It was like someone who, when owing only a few thousand, tries hard to repay, but when it grows to millions, just shrugs and thinks, “Whatever.”
Zachary looked at Lenora, noting the faint blush on her face and the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. He turned to the driver, “Turn down the heat
“It’s already on the lowest setting. Should I turn it off?” the driver asked.
As the weather grew warmer, there was no longer a need for the heater to fend off the cold.
“Turn it off.”
Lenora sighed. “How did you convince Mr. Hoffman? Did he just agree like that?”
“Yes. You’re overthinking it. Families like the Hoffmans won’t easily risk creating new enemies.”
Zachary’s gaze dropped as he recalled Bertram and Grayson’s reaction upon meeting him. It was clear they knew his identity, likely assuming he was there to acknowledge some family connection.
When Zachary had visited Bertram, he had no such intentions. Had it been another family, he would have taken the same approach: laying our the consequences.
But Bertram’s prompt agreement was probably due to their shared bloodline, sparing him the need for prolonged negotiations.
“Well, that’s good then. Thanks, Zachary,”
Lenora raised her eyes, noticing him watching her intently. She blinked, “What are you staring at?”
“You haven’t called me Zach in a long time.”
Lenora fell silent.
If
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Chapter 378 Endure A Bit Longer
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Somehow, calling him “Zach” felt natural in the past, but now, saying it out loud felt awkward, even a little embarrassing.
She averted her gaze, changing the topic while unbuttoning her coat. “I feel a bit warm. Can I roll down the window?”
Zachary nodded.
Lenora rolled down her window a bit.
The cold air blew in, giving her a bit of relief. She looked at the nighttime scenery outside, but somehow, the cool breeze didn’t help. Instead, she felt even hotter.
The cold air blew in, giving her a bit of relief. She looked at the nighttime scenery outside, but somehow, the cool breeze didn’t help. Instead, she felt dazed.
“Nora? Are you feeling hot? Zachary noticed something off about her.
She unfastened another button, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and pressed her legs together, her voice trembling. “Zachary, I think… I think I’ve been drugged…”
Zachary noticed the misty look in her eyes, a hint of red at the corners, carrying a touch of enticing charm. Zachary immediately cursed under his breath and told the driver, “Step on it.”
It had to be Jasmine’s doing, but it wasn’t the time to talk about it.
He reached over, pulling Lenora close. “Don’t worry, I’m here.”
Breathing in his familiar scent, Lenora felt her heart pound, her hands creeping around his lean waist. squeezing slightly.
Zachary’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he gripped her wandering hands, his voice hoarse. “Hang in there.”
