Haynes was a storm of anger and disbelief.


    How dare Ste confront him like this?!


    With a calm demeanor, Ste picked up a disinfectant wipe from the table and nonchntly cleaned her chin and wrist.


    "Mr. O''Brien, why are you so upset?" she asked, her voice smooth and even. "Didn''t you used to negotiate with me just like this, using Keen as leverage?" She tossed the wipe into the trash and offered Haynes a sardonic smile. "Mr. O''Brien, you''re an excellent teacher. I merely learned from the best."


    Remembering Ste''s adamant refusal to apologize to Rachel, Haynes felt a lump form in his throat. He had, in fact, previously threatened her in that manner.


    Noticing the shift in his expression, Ste softened her tone.


    "Isn''t the future of your brother and the life of your beloved more important than these material possessions?"


    Haynes frowned, his voice firm. "I can''t give you half of my estate."


    Ste felt a cold satisfaction rise within her at his response.


    Haynes''s favoritism toward Rachel had always been blind, but only because she hadn''t threatened his interests. Once it came down to business, Rachel wouldn''t hold sway either.


    Ste never really expected to walk away with half of Haynes''s wealth. It was all a negotiation tactic-start high, then settle.


    "Mr. O''Brien, I assume you don''t want to split thepany''s shares with me. And transferring property is far too cumbersome."


    "Here''s my final offer: one billion," Ste stated confidently, meeting Haynes''s gaze. "If you agree to this, I''ll sign the waiver and persuade Mr. Burton to concoct the antidote for Jasper Wilkinson, curing Rachel''s illness."


    As if recalling something, she added, "I assure you, Rachel''s condition will bepletely cured, so Mr. O''Brien''s money won''t be wasted."


    "You must have spent quite a bit already trying to find a cure for Ms. Pearce, haven''t you?"


    "And within this billion, you''ll findpensation for the divorce, damages to this shop, the emotional distress for Mr. Burton and Marvin Connolly, Jasper''s future, and the cost of saving Ms. Pearce..."


    "Haynes, this deal isn''t a loss for you, is it?"


    Haynes''s shadowed eyes lingered on Ste''s face. A smirk yed at his lips. "You drive a hard bargain."


    Ste chuckled softly. "For Mr. O''Brien, if money can solve a problem, it''s hardly a problem at all."


    "That billion might be a fortune beyond reach for most people, but for Mr. O''Brien, it doesn''t even amount to a year''s ie."


    She paused, then continued, "Marvin''s father is on his way back. If he learns that Jasper nearly harmed his son, do you think... he''d let Jasper off easily?"


    Haynes''s gaze darkened. "Ste, stop making baseless threats!"


    Ste gestured toward the door, indicating the surveince camera. "Haynes, do you want to see how terrifying Jasper looked at that moment? Marvin is just a five- year-old child, and Jasper terrified him."


    "If there wasn''t evidence, do you really think the police would act on just our word to apprehend Jasper?"


    While the clinic''s entrance was under surveince, the interior was not.


    When Jasper had barged through the door and into the back room, he''d gotten a face full of powder.


    Jasper didn''t realize he''d been sshed; he thought he''d just identally knocked over some shelves.


    And conveniently, the cameras didn''t capture the interior.


    Silence stretched between them.


    For a long time, Haynes remained speechless.