:
83
+8 Pearls
After much hesitation, Emma decided to follow him outside. However, he had already ended the call. Though she hadn’t caught the conversation, her eyes stayed glued to his phone.
“Who was that just now?” The flash of anger on her face quickly vanished, replaced by a sweet, obedient expression as she stood before him.
“There’s something at work I need to handle. I have to go,” Michael replied curtly, not bothering to answer her question as he walked out the door.
“Darl-” The word “darling” got caught in Emma’s throat. Once he had completely left, she stormed back into the room, ripped off her mask, and smashed everything on the table into pieces.
A glint of malice flashed in her eyes. No way! He has to be mine!
I’ve got to secure my place with him through our child–no matter what!
Sitting in the backseat of the car, Michael glanced at Eric, who was about to start the engine. “Get someone to look into who Clara met today.”
Eric stopped what he was doing, picked up his phone, and called his contacts.
As the car drove along, Eric occasionally checked the rearview mirror. Just as he was about to ask Michael about their next destination, his phone buzzed.
Eric looked at the incoming photo and handed the phone to Michael in the backseat. “Mr. Goodman, it looks like Mrs. Goodman met with Howard Xander today.”
Michael took the phone and reviewed the detailed message from his subordinate, along with the pictures of Clara at the club.
“Find out where Clara is right now,” he instructed, using Eric’s phone to make the call.
The person on the other end, initially taken aback by Michael’s voice, quickly responded, “Yes, right away!”
Soon after, Michael received an update from his subordinate.
“Mr. Goodman, Miss Clara Bennett is on her way to meet Howard Xander. Howard is currently at his underground trading club.”
Michael didn’t say a word. After hanging up, he turned to Eric and said, “Head to Howard’s underground trading club immediately!”
1/2
11:52 Sat, Oct 18 M…
Chapter 22 A Dangerous Man
D*mn it! How did she get involved with him?
“Got it!”
:
Hearing the urgency in his boss‘ voice, Eric made a sharp turn and headed toward the underground trading club.
883
+8 Pearls
Howard Xander, the heir to the Xander Group, had been building his own influence over the years, though it was all in shady areas. His underground club was one of his enterprises.
His character was erratic. Despite Benjamin’s multiple attempts to court him, he had never managed to bring Howard to his side. Instead, Howard had often clashed with him in business dealings.
While Michael had to deal with Benjamin, he also had to manage Howard’s presence, which is why Howard hadn’t been removed from the equation yet.
Clara arrived outside the underground trading club and glanced around. It looked like an ordinary hotel–luxurious but somewhat isolated.
After Michael had turned her down, she had called Howard out of frustration. He had given her the address, and so here she was.
“Miss Bennett, Mr. Xander is expecting you.”
An assistant came out from inside, gesturing politely for her to follow. Clara nodded and followed the assistant into the building.
They descended to the third basement level, where the noise was deafening. The assistant guided her into a fairly standard reception room before leaving.
Clara saw Howard sitting behind an office chair, a sly smile playing on his lips as he looked at her. “Miss Bennett, or should I say, Mrs. Goodman?”
Clara’s heart skipped a beat as she noticed a stack of documents on the desk–documents containing detailed information about her. It was clear that Howard had done his homework.
Howard kept his refined demeanor, but his gaze was far from friendly. It was so intense that it made her want to flee.
Instinctively, she took a step toward the door, but Howard’s voice stopped her. “Aren’t you here to discuss a project with me? Leaving so soon?”
Send Gifts
口
(
