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Chapter 196
Chapter 196
The screen went dark the next second. Eliana set the tablet aside and turned to greet Theodore.
He glanced briefly at the tablet, then asked knowingly, “Video chatting with Megan again?”
She nodded. “Yeah, she said she’s wrapping up her last scenes tomorrow and flying home. Also, she mentioned you arranged her scar treatment already, That must’ve taken some effort. Thank you, Theodore.”
“That was only for your sake,” he replied casually, settling onto the nearby sofa. His gaze lingered on her, thoughtful.
Eliana raised a brow. “What’s with the look?”
“I was just thinking… your birthday’s coming up,” he said. “I want to get you something.”
Eliana tilted her head. “How’d you even know when my birthday is? I’m pretty sure I never told you.”
Theodore gave a low chuckle. “You think my grandfather would’ve let you move into Russell Manor without having someone look into your background?”
That made her curious. “And what did he say after all that digging?”
Theodore replied with a perfectly straight face, “That he’s hoping to become a grandfather sooner rather than later.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, clearly unconvinced. He had to be making that up just to pressure her into having a baby.
After a brief pause, she looked at him seriously. “Theodore, let’s make a deal, okay? I want a practical gift. Nothing flashy or over–the–top.”
He studied her for a beat, then said, “How about the entire Burke Group?”
Her back stiffened. “Wait… are you being serious?”
“Why? You don’t like that idea?” he said with a half–smile, his tone light again, as if the earlier statement had never been spoken. “Alright then. How about a smart insulated mug?”
She snapped out of it and smiled, playing along. “Sure. That’ll do.”
Still, something about the way he said it nagged at her. Once Theodore disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower, she quietly picked up her phone
and called Isaac.
A moment later, a slightly congested male voice came through the line. “Ellie…”
She frowned. “Isaac, what’s wrong with your voice?”
Isaac let out a groan. “Kicked the blanket off last night. Woke up with a cold.”
“You poor thing.” She offered a few words of sympathy before cutting to the point. “Hey, have you heard Mom or Dad say anything about the company lately?”
Isaac sounded pitiful. “Ellie, you know how they are. They always send me away when they’re about to whisper about that stuff.”
“Then how about we turn this into a spy mission?” she said, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Eavesdrop a little. See what they’re hiding. Then call me and report back. Deal?”
“What’s my reward?”
“I’ll take you out for burgers.”
1/3
Chapter 196
F-kmint!
The next day, in the underground casino.
Hannah followed a bodyguard through the heavy doors into a private suite, only to see Julian seated at a card table, his back to he
A playful smile curved her lips. She slipped up behind him, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed his cheek.
“Darling, you called me over so suddenly. Were you missing me?”
Julian lifted his eyes, unreadable. “Sit.”
She moved to sit beside him, but he stopped her.
“Across from me.”
Her smile faltered slightly, but she obeyed, taking the seat opposite him. Propping her chin on one hand, she asked sweetly, “You want me to play cards with you?”
Julian lit a cigar, took a long drag, then gave a faint nod.
“I’d love to,” she said with a soft laugh. “But I’m not exactly a card
You’ll have to go easy on me.”
Julian gave her a slow, measured look. “We haven’t discussed what we’re playing for.”
She met his gaze with a coy grin. “You already have me. Gamble whatever you like.”
“Do 1?” he murmured. Without breaking eye contact, he gestured toward the back. Moments later, a bodyguard emerged from the adjoining room, dragging a man whose mouth was gagged and limbs bound tight.
The man’s eyes bulged in horror when he saw Hannah, and he immediately began to thrash harder against his restraints.
Hannah’s expression collapsed the moment she recognized him. “Matthew…”
Julian finished her sentence for her. “The man you were fooling around with. He’s tonight’s wager.”
Matthew genuinely felt as though he had been cursed. Ever since that night at the club when that woman set her sights on him, his life had been anything but peaceful.
And this morning was no different. He had barely opened his eyes before finding himself dragged here yet again by that same woman.
Before leaving, she had even flashed Julian a smile, casually remarking that once he was done with Matthew, he should let her know so she could come and take him back.
Hannah sat frozen, scrambling for a way to disassociate herself from the mess.
Julian casually toyed with the deck in his hands. “Women who can’t stand being lonely tend to be smart. They have to be, to keep secrets without showing a trace.”
Hannah leaned forward quickly, eyes wide. “Julian, I swear. It meant nothing. Just a bit of meaningless flirting. Nothing happened between us. I promise!”
Julian’s tone chilled. “You went to a hotel with him. If your sister and ex hadn’t shown up when they did, it would’ve gone a lot further, wouldn’t it?”
Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t realized he knew.
“I told you. I don’t care who you were with before,” Julian said, his voice flat.
2/3
Chapter 196
“But while you’re with met you don’t get to play me for a fool. You don’t get to string me along, let me spend 2 pitum for sale feraty entertaining someone else?
Hannah jumped to her feet and rushed to his side, her eyes welling up. “Julian, please, I was drink. And he threatened me. Sauf ifi didn’t ap pull out of the deal with Starlight Media. I was trapped…”
Matthew gave a muffled snart, practically convulsing with rage. That was a lie. She’d been the one who came onto him, claiming she was lonely and needed company.
Julian gave a dark smile. “Whether you were willing or forced, I don’t care anymore. The rules are simple. Every round you lose, he loses a finger
Seeing Hannah didn’t flinch, Julian narrowed his eyes. “Doesn’t that bother you?”
“I don’t care about him,” she said quickly. “He could drop dead and I wouldn’t blink.” Whether out of loyalty or indifference, she meant every word. But Julian wasn’t impressed.
“Fine,” he said coldly. “Let’s talk about something you do care about. Your debt.”
She stiffened. “Come on, Julian, don’t joke. You gave me a full year to pay it back!”
His expression darkened. “And after this? You still think I’m giving you a year?”
“But my dad just used the money to pay the company’s salaries. I can’t repay you right now…”
“Then we compound the interest. My rate’s five percent a day. Can
Her eyes widened in alarm. She shook her head desperately.
your family afford that?”
“You have three days to pay me back in full,” Julian said coolly. “If you run, pray I never catch you.”
He then turned to his men. “Get her out of here.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Hannah tried to protest, but the bodyguard was already on her, clamping a hand over her mouth and dragging her away.
Julian picked up his new phone and calmly dialed a number.
AD
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