Chapter 45 The Weight of Sacrifice


    The thought of Lauren marrying another man ignited a jealousy so fierce that it felt like a raging fire that threatened to consume him.


    noo


    "Lauren, don''t be foolish. The Brooker family is no ce for you, and the Bossman is no one you can handle Keh''s voice softened, but the urgency in his eyes only grew stronger.


    Lauren was afraid of him, but at that moment, she just stared at him calmly. After a long pause, she finally said. "I can''t handle him? But I can handle you?" Keh''s heart clenched at her words, as if she had hit his most vulnerable spot.


    For a moment, he almost believed that there was a hint of something deeper in her words. But when he met her indifferent gaze, he realized that it was nothing more than sarcasm.


    Still, for that brief moment, he had allowed himself to hope, and his heart had raced.


    Realizing that she had never had any special feelings for him, his eyes filled withplex emotions turned a deep, angry red.


    His expression frightened Lauren, and she couldn''t help but push against him again.


    The man stood still, his presence oppressive and threatening "Do you really think I would let you marry someone else?"


    His words carried an ambiguous weight that made Lauren''s heart skip a beat.


    She met his obsessive gaze but quickly lowered her eyes, ufortable. "Who I marry is none of your business


    Keh''s brow furrowed, and he suddenly let out a coldugh. The sound echoed in the cramped storeroom, carrying an eerie, suffocating tension.


    "None of my business? You say that so easily. As long as my sister is unconscious, your life belongs to the Gray family. Do you still think it''s none of my business?


    As he spoke, his grip on her shoulders tightened, as if he wanted to imprint years of obsession into that single moment.


    The pain in her injured shoulder was excruciating, but Lauren gritted her teeth and refused to cry out. Her hands trembled. slightly.


    The freshly bandaged wound on Keh''s palm began to bleed again from the force of his grip.


    But he seemed to ignore the pain, as if he were punishing himself as well as Lauren. He continued to tighten his grip, the blood staining Lauren''s clothes. It was impossible to tell whose blood it was, his or hers.


    Keh hated himself for this.


    I had once cared deeply for her and had even nned to confess his feelings after we entered the same university.


    At that time, my heart was full of hope for the future.


    But all these dreams had been shattered by Lauren


    Five years had passed, and I thought I had moved on.


    However, when I heard that she was going to marry someone else, my jealousy was uncontroble. It felt like countless insects were gnawing


    heart.


    How could I still care about her? She had hurt ine. She was convict. She didn''t deserve me.


    As Keh stared at Lauren, the storm of emotions in his eyes gradually calmed down, reced by a cold indifference.


    His icy gaze was like a winter cer, devoid of any warmth. Finally, he let her go.


    Lauren trembled and cowered in the corner. Only when Keh left the room did her delicate eyelids flutter.


    12:26 PM M


    Chapter 45 The Weight of Sacrifice


    Finished


    Meanwhile, in the other room, Elliot stood in front of his parents, his face filled with anxiety. “Dad, Mom, you know that the Brooker family Bossman has a terrible reputation. Why are you forcing Laurie into this marriage? She''s still your daughter. Even if you don''t like her, you can''t just throw her to the wolves."


    David mmed his hand down on the table in anger. "Nonsense! How can I throw her to the wolves? Marrying into the Brooker family is an honor for someone of her status."


    Elliot looked at his father in disbelief. his lips trembling. "Dad, Laurie''s health was ruined during those five years in prison. You''re sending her to marry a violent man. Do you want to shorten her life!"


    The thought of Lauren''s frail, broken body facing the uncertainties of the Brooker family filled Elliot with anger and worry.


    David''s face turned livid, his eyes wide with rage. His voice rose. "If she won''t marry him, do you want Willow to marry him instead?"


    Elliot stiffened, and his gaze shifted to Willow. He met her sad eyes and felt a pang of guilt.


    But sacrificing Lauren was something I couldn''t ept either. "But....”


    "No buts!" David cut him off, his tone slightly softer. The auction will be held in a few days. The Brooker family is determined to win the Eastgate project. Even if the Bet and Gray families join forces, we may not be able topete. If the Brooker family secures the Eastgatend, our position in Hoverdale''s business world will gradually be eroded."


    David frowned, his face filled with worry as he continued. "The government has already issued documents prioritizing the Eastgate project. Once it''s developed, themercial center of Hoverdale will gradually shift there."


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