NovelBook"Nadine..." Bryant's voice lingered over her name, as if tasting the syllables for the first time.
Nadine couldn't bring herself to meet his piercing gaze, fearing that her facade would crumble under the weight of his scrutiny. Then, Bryant chuckled a sound that sent shivers down her spine-and demanded, "Who sent you?" It was clear to Bryant that she was a pawn, sent by someone with a hidden agenda-a play for profit, because in his world, nobody made a move without an incentive.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNadine hadn't expected Bryant to be so astute, to see right through her with barely a glance. Her face paled as she took a deep breath and repeated the lie she had prepared.
"I'm just here on a part-tjob. Nobody sent me..." "Miss White." Bryant's legs were crossed, a cigarette dangling between his lips as he leaned forward, his jawline sharp against the dimly lit room. His voice was a low growl, "Since you're here, you know who I am. Anything your backer can find on me, I can find on them. Anything they can offer you, I can match. Let's just say, I'm known for not playing nice when I'm crossed. So, if you don't start talking, my patience will run thin." Hearing this, Nadine felt a cold sweat break out. She bit her lip, weighing her options before deciding to betray Alaric.
Under Bryant's intense aura, she felt cornered, with no other choice but to face him and confess, "It was Alaric." She had no illusions about continuing to hide the truth; someone like Bryant could easily uncover any secret. Rather than futile resistance, she chose to bet everything on Bryant, who seemed infinitely more reliable than Alaric.
Bryant frowned, not immediately placing the name, "Alaric?" "Brother..." York Carlson, seething with anger and already plotting revenge on Alaric, reluctantly spoke up, “That's my cousin's boyfriend, the one you met at the bar last week. He's been eyeing our medical project." "I never imagined he'd be bold enough to make a move on it!" Everyone knew Bryant was a force to be reckoned with, fiercely protective of those close to him. Crossing him, especially using someone from his past as bait, was a guaranteed path to ruin.
To the astute observer, it was clear Nadine was a stand-in for someone Bryant once held dear, chosen for her natural resemblance and the saloof demeanor.
Bryant ashed his cigarette, not acknowledging York's input, and turned to Nadine, "Where's Alaric now? Waiting in the car park?" He wouldn't have set this trap without planning to see it through.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmNadine guessed, "Probably in his car." York, catching Bryant's silent command, left and returned shortly, dragging Alaric by the collar and tossing him to the floor with a solid kick.
Nadine recoiled at the violence, watching Alaric glare at her with undisguised hatred.
Without blinking, Bryant's cold voice filled the room, "Alaric, correct?" "Yes, yes!"
Alaric scrambled to his feet, hobbling towards Bryant with a sycophantic smile, "Mr. Ferguson, we've met before." "And her," Bryant nodded towards Nadine, "you arranged this?"
Regret twisted Alaric's features.
Desperate to secure a deal that was slipping through his fingers, he had underestimated Bryant. He scrambled for an explanation, trying жё to dress up his schin a less offensive light, "Mr. Ferguson, Sir, it was when I saw how deeply you felt for Ms. Webster. I've known the pain of unrequited love myself, and I empathized too much, I guess. I thought a stand-in might offer stemporary solace, though it's no real solution, just... a distraction from the loneliness at night."
His laugh was an attempt to lighten the mood, "And who knows? If Ms. Webster still holds any affection for you seeing another woman by your side might prompt her to reconsider her feelings, perhaps even bring her back to you." X
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