Chapter 367
I couldn’t help the bitter laugh that escaped my lips. What kind of bullshit was this?
When we were married, had Henry ever bothered with me? Forget phone calls–even when we were face to face in the same house he could barely spare a word for me. And now he was suddenly insisting on this ridiculous condition?
Was Henry mentally ill?
But trapped in his immovable embrace, I had no leverage. I needed to escape, and if lying was the price of freedom, I’d pay it gladly
“Okay,” I said, softening my voice to sound like the woman I’d been before the divorce–the one who still believed in him, I promise.
I deliberately made my voice gentle and warm, reminiscent of how I used to speak to him in the early days of our marriage. Now, please let me go, okay?”
My simple agreement seemed to heal something in him. His entire demeanor transformed, his smile suddenly radiant, almost childlike in its joy. He held me tighter for just a moment, his eyes filled with emotion.
“Good,” he said, and finally loosened his grip.
As the pressure around me released, I stumbled backward, immediately putting distance between us. Henry stood there, rubbing his fingertips together, as if trying to preserve the warmth of my body against his skin.
How long had it been since he’d held me like that, without reservation or anger?
So long that even he couldn’t remember.
I didn’t waste a second.
The moment I was free, I rushed to Billy, scooping him up and hurrying toward Alexander’s car. I didn’t even bother saying goodbye to Henry–1 just urged the driver to go as fast as possible.
The driver hit the gas, and the car shot forward, tires squealing against the pavement.
By the time Henry snapped out of his daze, Alexander’s yellow Lamborghini was nowhere in sight.
Realizing I had tricked him, Henry kicked his Mercedes in frustration before climbing back inside and ordering his driver to chase after us.
But by the time he reached the end of the street, our car had completely vanished.
Meanwhile, in a quiet café in another part of Manhattan.
James was meeting with Thomas’s mother–Mrs. Sanders–with an offer from Henry.
“Mrs. Sanders, these are the terms our CEO is offering. Please take a look. James slid a document across the table.
Madison Sanders picked up the paper, carefully reading the black print. After a moment, she looked up.
“So if I agree to your demands and cooperate fully, you’ll leave my son and our family alone? And return my favorite villa to us?
“Is that correct?” Her voice carried a hint of skepticism.
Previously, when Thomas had pursued me, it had infuriated Henry.
In his rage, Henry had dismantled the Sanders family business, driving it to bankruptcy. He hadn’t stopped there–he’d farced them to sell off-
Chapter 367
several valuable properties, including Madison’s beloved villa.
To this day, she remained bitter about the loss.
After finishing the document, she set it down and elegantly lifted her coffee cup, her eyes returning to James.
“Mr. James, forgive my directness, but these terms are surprisingly generous. I can’t imagine what I could possibly do to help you.
The Sanders family, though still supported by William Harding, was a shadow of its former self. They were barely maintaining their standard of living. If Henry was truly willing to follow through on these promises, she would accept whatever conditions were offered.
James adjusted his gold–rimmed glasses, his gaze falling on the document in front of Madison. He smiled slightly.
“Please don’t worry, Mrs. Sanders. Relax.”
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.”
“It’s really not a big deal. We simply want to ask you about something that happened many years ago.”
His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
‘Of course, you can’t claim ignorance. After all, you were there when it happened.”
Chapter Comments
LIKE
