Chapter 401
Hannah blanched as old memories played through her mind.
She’d been so intent on convincing Dominic that she was a money grubbing liar that she made up countless lies, one of which was that she’d be willing to trade her child away for career resources!
However, Hannah didn’t think Dominic, who had been so infuriated as to storm out on her then, would now turn around and promise to return her resources.
“What are you playing at?” Her voice was grave and icy.
She suddenly realized she couldn’t understand Dominic at all. He’d been the one to break things off with her for good the last time, only to unceremoniously shove her and Chloe into his car without warning when they met again!
And now, he was openly assessing her with amusement. However, instead of answering Hannah’s question, he cut a look at Chloe and asked, “What’s your name, kid?”
Chloe’s brows furrowed. She refused to speak to him. So what if he was good–looking? Anyone who picked on Hannah was bound to be a big meanie! And she’d be damned to speak to a wicked stranger.
The little girl’s silence didn’t anger Dominic. Instead, he flashed her a gentle smile even as the words that came out of his mouth were coated in venomous threat.
“If you won’t answer me, I’ll have no choice but to give your mommy a letter of demand for breaching her contract. She’ll be expected to cough up a huge sum of damages if that happens, and if she can’t come up with the money, she’ll have to sell you off
When Chloe heard this, her eyes immediately glistened with tears.
“Dominic!” Hannah hadn’t expected Dominic to pull such a low, dirty trick–and on Chloe, no less. “Watch yourself!”
“I’m only trying to have a friendly chat with her. I won’t hurt her, so why are you getting all worked up?” Dominic countered coolly. “Are you afraid I’d learn about things I shouldn’t?”
Hannah froze. She turned away to avoid looking at Dominic’s wicked face and bit out stiffly, “Nonsense. What could I possibly be afraid of?”
“Wonderful.” Dominic’s lips curled into a serpentine smile before he glanced at Chloe again. “Did you hear that? Your mommy said there’s nothing to be afraid of, so unless you want her to cough up a huge sum of money, you’ll answer my questions, okay?
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He sounded as if he were patiently asking for Chloe’s opinion, but Hannah thought he was no better than a charm whispering,
venomous snake.
Chloe clutched and unclutched the hem of her shirt.
She might be young, but she understood enough to piece together that Dominic was blackmailing Hannah. She also realized that he’d pick on Hannah if she refused to answer his questions.
As such, her little mouth quirked into a dejected pout as she muttered, “My name’s Chloe. C–H–L–O–E. Everyone calls me that.”
“Chloe, huh?” Dominic repeated the name, his hard expression softening slightly. “How strange that someone as heartless as your mother would give you such a lovely name.”
“That’s none of your business!” Hannah snapped.
Chloe also bristled at Dominic’s comment and retorted, “My mommy is not heartless! She’s the kindest, gentlest person I know! If not, Grandpa and Grandma wouldn’t always be threatening her, and Grandpa wouldn’t pick on her! Mommy’s wrist is injured too-”
“Chloe!” Hannah quickly stopped Chloe from talking, but Dominic gripped her arm. She tried to pull away, but he only
Chapter 401
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tightened his hold. “What are you doing?”
Dominic stared at her arm. It was no wonder she wore such a large wristband. He wordlessly pulled the wristband down to reveal the burn mark on her arm. However, the area surrounding the bur mark was paler than the rest of her arm due to restricted circulation, and some blood oozed from the wound.
A shadow passed over his face. “Did you want to worsen the wound by keeping it trapped under a tight wristband, Hannah?”
“Stay out of this!” Hannah shook off his hand. She’d just wanted to avoid showing up at Chloe’s parent–teacher conference with a burn mark on full display, lest it affect Chloe.
She pinned Dominic with a cold, hard stare. “Mr. Lancaster, we’re over. You have your family to worry about, and I have my daughter. Whatever we had between us is in the past, and it’s best if we part ways amicably.
“I never look back, and I don’t want your resources. But if you even think about blackmailing me, just know that I won’t let you
get away with it, not even if I have to put everything I have at stake!”
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