?Chapter 1373:


    Brendon and Ynda stiffened. They had heard the rumors—about how Darian smiled before he destroyed his prey, about how those who offended him rarely saw the next sunrise.


    “Mr. Lloyd,” Ynda began with a forced smile. “We sincerely apologize. We ran into… an unexpected situation on the way. Please forgive our rudeness.”


    Darian said nothing. He leaned back in his chair, watching her with an unreadable gaze.


    Compared to Christina, Ynda was painfully ordinary. What had Brendon been thinking when he cast Christina aside for this woman? Perhaps he’d simply grown tired of beauty that shone too brightly.


    A low chuckle escaped Darian’s lips—deep, dangerous, almost amused. It had been a while since something so mundane had entertained him.


    Ynda, mistaking his smile for mercy, stepped forward eagerly. “Mr. Lloyd, if you’d allow me…”


    “Shut the hell up.”


    The temperature in the room dropped. Darian’s tone was light, almost casual, but it froze her in ce. Her legs trembled.


    “Y-yes, Mr. Lloyd. I’m sorry,” Ynda apologized, her voice unsteady.


    Brendon’s jaw tightened, but he forced a polite smile. The Dawson family needed this partnership too much to risk offending him now.


    “Mr. Lloyd,” he said carefully, “about the overseas project—I believe it could bring tremendous benefits to both of our families.”


    Darian raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling his lips. “Both? You mean the Dawson family benefits, while I handle the risks.”


    Brendonughed weakly. “No, no, of course not. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”


    “Perhaps,” Darian murmured, swirling his wine again. “But if I’m to overlook your family’s… disproportionate gain, I’ll need something in return.”


    He leaned forward, his gaze sharp as a de. “I have a condition.”


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    Brendon’s stomach dropped. Maybe bringing Ynda here had been a terrible mistake.


    Darian had a reputation. He was cruel, dangerous, and utterly twisted. Every woman who had ever caught his eye had met a miserable end.


    Could it be that Darian had his sights set on Ynda now? The thought alone made Brendon’s skin crawl.


    Brendon wasn’t the only one who felt the unease creeping in. Ynda’s nerves were fraying even faster.


    Thest thing she wanted was Darian’s attention. The stories about the way he “yed” with women haunted her. No one who caught his fancy ever survived it.


    “What… What are your terms?” Brendon’s voice trembled, the words barely escaping his lips.


    Darian picked up a photo between two fingers and handed it to his bodyguard.


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