Chapter 645 A Threat Wrapped in a Smile
s
Cyrus narrowed his eyes, and the smile on his face faded a little, though he still looked polite.
“My daughter acted out. I hope you won’t hold it against her,” he said warmly. “She’s still young. As her father, of course I don’t want her to suffer.”
His smile was gentle, but every word pushed them to feel sorry for him.
Tess’s eyes turned cold. Even her smile disappeared.
She wasn’t fooled. That apology was nothing more than a show.
“We’re all about Jolie’s age,” Tess said, lifting her gaze. “But none of us were raised to hurt innocent people just because we didn’t get what we wanted.”
The moment she said that, Cyrus’s polite smile vanishedpletely.
His voice dropped. “Ms. Ember, I came here hoping we could settle this peacefully. If each of us takes a step back, it benefits everyone.”
Cyrus finally showed his true color. Raven’s eyes went wide. She turned to Lyra as if to say, “See? I told you. He’s just like Jolie. Shameless.”
She even rolled her eyes behind Cyrus’s back on purpose.
No wonder Jolie turned out that way; it came from her father.
“You don’t sound like someone trying to make peace,” Tess said with a short, chillyugh. “You sound more like you’re here to threaten me.”
Her expression turned cold and stern.
Cyrus stared at her, then suddenly broke into a grin.
2
He evenughed out loud, tilting his head back and pping his hands.
Raven and Lyra exchanged a confused look.
Tess watched him carefully. She didn’t trust whatever game he was ying.
“From my research, Ms. Ember, you’re quite an interesting person,” Cyrus said. His smile softened again, and his eyes held a strange admiration. “Today proves it.”
<b>10:03 </b><b>Sat</b>, Jan <b>3 </b>
Chapter 645 A Threat Wrapped in a Smile
+5 Free <b>Coins </b>
He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture, as if he were just some tired dadining. “Well, my daughter is reckless. And because she was born when I was older, I spoiled her too much. That’s how she almost caused a disaster. I hope you won’t hold it against her.”
<b>Tess </b>didn’t case up. She didn’t answer, waiting for him to finish.
Cyrus paused, then continued on his own.
“This was Jolie’s fault. If you wantpensation, anything within my power, I’ll take care of it.”
“Then what if I insist you hand Jolie back to the police?” Tess asked. “She made her choices. She should face the consequences.”
Cyrus’s brow tightened. He clearly didn’t expect Tess to push back this hard or not give an elder man like him a way out.
His gentle tone began to crumble.
<i>“</i>I heard you’re a mother too,” he said. “So you understand how parents protect their kids. Let’s show each other some understanding. I’ll take Jolie home and punish her myself.”
He forced a smile, but the warmth in his eyes had vanished.
When Tess heard that, her heart jolted.
Cyrus had clearly done his homework. He’d investigated her.
Bringing up La wasn’t kindness. It wasn’t empathy.
He was using La to force her hand.
Tess’s gaze sharpened. She stared straight at Cyrus, refusing to blink.
His smile felt like a closing over her, tightening with every word, pressing down up ne could barely breathe.
La was her taboo. Touch it, and she’d burn the world down.
She curled her fingers tight, trying to steady her breath and keep her face calm.
“There’s no need,” Tess said coldly. “Thew is thew. If we just let things slide, then anyone who does something wrong can be taken home, scolded a little, and the whole thing disappears. Where’s the justice in that?”
Her voice was stiff, her face frozen.
<b>10:03 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Jan </b><b>3 </b>
Chapter 645 A Threat Wrapped in a Smile
182
s
“Ms. Ember, you’re still young,” Cyrus replied. “And I heard you n to take over Ember Group, plus that new firm you built. Mars Legal, right? Things are already tough for you. It’d be better not to stir up trouble outside.”
He raised a hand and adjusted his cuff, his eyes locking onto hers.
Tess saw the mask drop. And sheughed–cold, quiet, bitter.
Of course. People like him were all the same. If they stood higher than you, they pushed down with their power. It worked every time.
Finn had done the exact same thing to her.
“No.”
Tess said the single word with finality.
Then she smiled, slow and sharp. Her eyes filled with faint mockery and aimed right at Cyrus.
He hadn’t expected someone so young to defy him. For a moment, he actually looked offended.
“Tess, I heard you were a top student,” he said. “So I won’t exin what ‘underestimate your strength meant. You’re running two smallpanies. Even in Aetheris, those aren’t worth anything in Moserton.”
He lifted his chin, his eyes full of disdain. The polite mask was gone.
“I’ll admit you’re talented for your age,” he said, “butpared to my family? You’re nothing. Jolie did make a mistake, and I came myself to apologize. So let’s settle this and call it a day.”
ADMINJ