Chapter 24 Hush Money
If the very first deal fell through, Eric’s reputation would hit rock bottom.
Stanley hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Actually, we looked into that heritage painter. Turns out he was Mr. Damon’s mentor.”
Alice let out a frustrated sigh and set her bagel down.
“So, you’re suggesting I go beg my brother to ask this heritage artist to turn a blind eye?”
Stanley hung his head, looking ashamed.
That was exactly what he had in mind.
If he could, he’d even get down on his knees for Alice and beg that pompous man himself.
Alice turned to Eric and asked, “Is that what you think too?”
Eric hadn’t touched his breakfast. His face was cold and dark, like a storm brewing on the horizon.
But somehow, after hearing her words, the hostility in him seemed to ease.
The sharp edge in his mood dulled, and he finally picked up a bagel, taking a few bites.
“Stanley,” he said quietly, “go take your punishment.”
Stanley tried one last time, “But this really is the best option-”
“Double it,” Eric cut him off, his tone brooking no argument.
Stanley fell silent.
He knew better than to push further. With a resigned sigh, he turned and walked out to accept his punishment.
Alice’s anger faded too.
She absentmindedly took a few bites of her food before speaking up.
“I am still the Deputy Director of IT. Shouldn’t I be heading to the office today?”
Eric glanced sideways at her. “You do know the IT department shares a floor with the design department, right?”
Alice choked on her grits, coughing hard before she could respond.
How would she know how things worked in the Nolan Group?
She had only wanted to break the tension with a light comment.
Eric’s lips lifted slightly, almost into a smile, and he nudged a plate of mini pot pies in her direction.
At the Spencers‘ residence.
。
12:49 PM
Chapter 24 Hush Money
“Damon, are you serious?” Linda gasped. “Mr. Hawkin really agreed to give me “The Twelve Muses?“”
Damon Spencer–the youngest son of the Spencers–smiled warmly at her, his voice doting.
“My little sister is the most beautiful princess in the world. Of course you deserve that painting”
Linda blushed and looked down, clearly pleased.
That painting was Halsey Hawkin’s final masterpiece, a legendary painting of 12 classical beauties.
+8 Pearls
Rumor had it that he painted it for the most stunning woman he had ever seen. Collectors were obsessed with it.
Linda had begged Damon for ages–and finally, there was news!
Back at the old mansion.
Ruby was fuming over what had happened with the dogs. In a fit of rage, she smashed a bunch of porcelain in
her room.
Everything in the house was top–tier. One tantrum just cost more than a regular person’s life savings.
“Ms. Alice,” a maid knocked gently on the door.
Ruby gritted her teeth. “What is it now?”
The housekeeper lowered her voice. “Ms. Irene is discussing Alice’s betrothal gift with someone.”
Crash!
Ruby kicked over the stool at her feet.
Sandy, standing silently nearby, didn’t dare say a word.
But when she heard that, her rage flared up again.
“Mom, that bitch is asking for 200 million dollars!”
If Irene actually handed it over, it would mean she recognized Alicè as legitimate.
That would sway the board’s opinion on the company’s future stock distribution–and likely in Alice’s favor. Ruby let out a cold laugh. “I’m the mother–in–law. I just spent millions on her jewelry. You think I care about 200 million more?”
Only then did Sandy realize–this whole mess started because of her own foolish mistake.
Irene had originally been hesitant to offer a betrothal gift. But now, all of a sudden, she was ready? The truth was clear. It was all to cover up Sandy’s blunder.
She had wanted to teach Alice a lesson and ended up costing her own mother a fortune instead.
If Ruby could cough up millions for Alice’s jewelry, what excuse would Irene have for holding back now?
If word got out, it would reflect badly on her reputation.
Sandy’s eyes were rimmed with red. “It’s not fair! After everything, Alice still gets everything handed to her?”
Chapter 24 Hush Money
+8 Pearls
Ruby’s voice turned icy. “Of course not. Go inform the company elders. If she thinks she can sail through this so easily, she’s in for a rude awakening.”
That night.
Alice, of course, slept in the small bed.
But when she woke up, she noticed Eric was already dressed.
It was still early—too early for work. His discipline made her feel strangely awkward.
“You heading out already?” she asked, watching him put on formal attire, puzzled.
Eric turned and saw her sitting up.
“I wasn’t going to wake you,” he said, “but since you’re up, you’re coming with me.”
“What?”
Seeing her confusion, Eric added, “You’ll see when we get there.”
Alice dragged herself out of bed with a resigned sigh and went to wash up.
She wasn’t a morning person, but with him constantly surrounded by danger, they had to stick together like glue for the next month or so.
Alice got dressed and walked out the door, her dark, slightly curled hair falling loosely around her shoulders. Alice looked like a character from a comic–too gorgeous for reality.
Stanley was still being punished; so today’s driver was his younger brother, Daniel Palmer.
It was Daniel’s first time seeing Alice up close–and her beauty hit him like a freight train. He nearly forgot how to breathe.
Eric, clearly impatient, rapped his knuckles sharply on the window.
Send Gifts
