Elle’s POV
:
Through the earpiece, I heard Mira’s sweet voice continue to work on Eric.
“Eric, you’re being ridiculous. Would I be trying to buy your shares if I didn’t have the money?” Mira’s tone was perfectly innocent, but there was something calculating underneath it. “You know I’ve always wanted to do something legitimate. Acting is just my hobby. Eventually, I need to do something serious with my life. My parents were always good friends with the Rayne family elders. Even though their business failed, they still left me some money. I don’t want to waste it all on frivolous things–I want to do something meaningful.”
Eric’s voice came through the audio, skeptical. “There are so many publicly traded companies out there. Why are you so fixated on Rayne
Group specifically? Your parents‘ relationship with the Rayne family isn’t enough justification for you being this desperate to acquire
Rayne Group shares.”
I glanced at Brad, who was watching the screen with that cold, calculating expression I’d come to recognize. His amber eyes held a
predatory gleam.
Mira’s laugh was light and airy. “Eric, honestly, what bad intentions could I possibly have? Sure, there are plenty of companies out there,
but none of them have Rayne Group’s influence! Besides, I believe in the Rayne family’s foundation. Buying shares is like buying myself a
protection charm–then I can just focus on enjoying life.”
I watched Eric study Mira’s face on the monitor, clearly trying to determine if she was lying. Brad made a disgusted sound beside me.
“What an idiot,” he muttered.
But I could see that Mira’s performance was working. Eric’s suspicion seemed to be melting away under her innocent act.
I pulled out my earpiece, needing to ask the question that had been burning in my mind. “Why is Mira so obsessed with getting Rayne
Group shares?”
Brad turned to look at me, his expression growing serious. “Rayne Group has a lot of secrets about werewolf society that you don’t know
about yet. Only board members who hold a certain percentage of shares are qualified to know these secrets.” He paused, and I felt a chill
run down my spine. “The shares you currently hold aren’t enough to qualify you for those secrets.”
Brad must have noticed my expression because he continued, his voice growing darker. “Mira’s target is probably one of the Rayne family’s
overseas black market trading rights. It’s still speculation, but I can’t confirm it yet.”
“Black market?‘ I asked, confused and a little afraid.
“Yes. You have to understand that overseas, many things that are prohibited here are allowed there. For instance, organ transplantation…”
I shuddered, not wanting to hear more. The implications were horrifying.
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Chapter 276
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Brad didn’t continue either, his attention returning to the monitor. I could see him processing, calculating. If what Roy had told him was true, Mira was likely after the Rayne family’s overseas black market trading rights.
My phone buzzed. Brad pulled out his own phone and made a call.
“You can close the net now. Save all of today’s recordings–we’ll need Director Eric to have a good viewing experience.”
He hung up and started the car engine.
802
“We’re just leaving?” I asked, confusion evident in my voice. “You know Mira’s going after Rayne Group shares, and you’re still letting her
Brad pulled away from the resort, glancing at me as he drove. “Mira Collins is an excellent pawn. Since she’s so desperate for Rayne Group
shares, I’ll use her to test each of the board members. If any of them make suspicious moves, it saves me the trouble of investigating
them myself. Two birds with one stone, don’t you think?”
I stared at Brad as we drove away from the resort. His mind worked on levels I couldn’t fully comprehend, always three steps ahead of
everyone else. It was impressive and terrifying at the same time.
The cold war between us suddenly felt impossible to maintain. Once again, I felt like I was being swept along by Brad’s rhythm, and it
frustrated me even as I found myself giving in to it.
Brad’s mood seemed to have improved dramatically. “I had the kitchen make dinner for you. You haven’t been home in days–Martha’s
been asking about you.”
I felt defensive. “Sophia’s been having a rough time lately. I wanted to be there for her. And anyway, weren’t you the one who started it?”
Brad smoothly changed the subject. “What do you want for dinner tonight?”
I was about to say I’d go find Sophia when Brad cut me off.
“Sophia’s busy tonight. You’re not even bringing your assistant–are you planning to starve yourself? If you think Amy isn’t attentive
enough, I can have her fired. She draws a high Rayne Group salary every month while not working. What does she think this company is?”
I just wanted to spend some quiet time with Sophia. What’s Amy supposed to do, follow us around?” I protested.
“You’ve been ‘spending quiet time‘ for a week now,” Brad pointed out.
I threw up my hands in defeat. ‘Fine, fine, I get it. I’ll come home tonight.”
I watched Brad text someone quickly before putting his phone away. By the time we arrived at the estate, everything was perfectly arranged. The staff moved with practiced efficiency, and Martha greeted us as if nothing had happened over the past week. The illusion of normalcy was complete,
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Chapter 276
:
Walking into the dining room, I saw the table set with all my favorite dishes. My eyes started to well up. Despite everything that had happened between Brad and me, despite the cold war and the hurt feelings, someone had been paying attention to what I liked, what
made me happy.
We ate dinner in comfortable silence, the tension between us finally starting to case.
After dinner, Brad reached over and gently ran his fingers through my hair–a gesture so familiar and tender that it made my heart ache.
Then he stood and headed toward his study.
I watched him go, knowing he was about to orchestrate whatever comeuppance awaited Eric Ellen. A strange sense of peace settled over
- me. Whatever games Mira had been playing, whatever threats had been lurking in the shadows, I had the feeling that after tonight, it
would all be over.
Finally, I might be able to live in peace.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
