?Chapter 1401:
Lucius let out a chuckle, his gaze dropping to Harlee with a hint of condescension.
“Harlee, aren’t you being a bit naive? You were brought here unconscious by my men, not as a guest of my own inviting. Shouldn’t your own safety be your primary concern right now?” Lucius couldn’t understand. How could Harlee still prioritize the details of his dealings with N? Was understanding their alliance truly more crucial than her own survival?
“Despite everything, I’m unbound, and my baby is safe, which implies I still hold value to you.”
Harlee’s thoughts were razor-sharp. Gone was any illusion of Lucius’s harmlessness. She was already scheming her escape while ensuring her safety.
Last night, she and Rhys had nned to reconnect in an hour. Given his nature, he was undoubtedly searching for her by now. He probably realized she was missing and was orchestrating her rescue. Her immediate goals were to protect her unborn child and herself, and to gather any possible insights on N. As for Lucius… She had written him off, even starting to doubt whether his longstanding kindness was merely a facet of his strategy.
Regaining her characteristicposure, Harlee faced him and said, “Knowing how this might end, I need to resolve my uncertainties. I can’t stand being left in the dark.”
Lucius stared back at her as if seeing a ghost of someone else in her presence. His expression softened into one of mncholy and reminiscence.
The woman Lucius remembered was much like Harlee: no matter the adversity, she tackled it with poise and always emerged with a solution. She reminded him of an unyielding mountain on the horizon, steadfast and immovable.
Harlee’s brow furrowed with difort under Lucius’s intense gaze.
Your new favorite stories are at gα?ησν????s
When Lucius noticed Harlee’s inquisitive look, he quickly regained hisposure and, with a chuckle, said, “Okay, since you’re really interested, I’ll exin my issues with Nathaniel.”
Harlee was caught off guard by his willingness to disclose details. She adjusted a pillow behind her to sit morefortably, trying to keep her emotions in check.
“And your dealings with N, are you nning to destroy the Green family, or is your target Nathaniel alone?”
“To destroy the Green family? To kill Nathaniel?” Lucius responded with a softugh, as if the idea were far-fetched.
“Yes, I am working with N against Nathaniel, but thinking I’d go as far as destroying his whole family or killing him? He’s not worth that much effort!”
Harlee was visibly startled. If his aim wasn’t to destroy the Green family or kill Nathaniel, then what was it? Perhaps a rejected romance?
“Allow me to tell you a story…”
Lucius’s expression softened as he looked at Harlee, his eyes reflecting the fondness of a time before truths wereid bare, as if she were a beloved granddaughter. Feeling uneasy, Harlee averted her gaze. Another story? It seemed as if everyone had a story to sharetely.
Noticing Harlee’s neutrality, Lucius began to recount his story.
“Nathaniel and I go way back to our childhood, but we never really bonded until we both met her. It was at a wealthy event in the fifties. I was overwhelmed with forced toasts when she came out of nowhere. Silently, she took the drink from me, sparing me from further toasts. She waster pulled aside by some societaldies for a chat…”
As Lucius continued, a smile unwittingly spread across his face. That evening remained etched in his memory.
He recalled fondly how he, tipsy from the night’s indulgences, had staggered past a group of chatteringdies toward her at that time, theirughter echoing around him.
A question had been directed at her.
“Nic, are you really set on not staying in the country? With your exceptional strategic skills, you could easily outsmart those businessmen if you started a business in Baythorn!”
Another woman had asked, “Nic, is there someone special in your life? That man who helped you with the drinks earlier seemed quite suitable. He may not be much of a drinker, but he’s undeniably handsome. You two seemed well-matched!”
.
.
.