Chapter 874
Callum’s condescending stare fixated on Lillian as he remarked, “Lillian, I can’t simply brush what happened last night under the rug. It was you who initiated things. Are you just going to walk away again, evading responsibility?”
In an instant, Lillian’s face flared a deep crimson.
She recognized the weight behind the word “again.” It dredged up memories of their passionate encounter, fueled by alcohol, from years ago. That night ended with her fleeing the next morning.
In the past, the idea of getting together with him when he finally caught up with her three years later might have seemed plausible. However, as time marched on, she had grown into a completely different person, and so had he.
Lillian’s journey from Callum’s lavish mansion to her workplace was a hazy blur. Her steps faltered as she made her way to the curb to flag down a taxi and then headed back to her familiar workplace.
The tasks at her job remained the same, but her mood was anything but ordinary, miles away from her typical self.
“Lillian, is that the latest from X brand you’re wearing? My goodness, I’ve seen that in a magazine. It’s worth over 60,000 dollars!” one of her colleagues exclaimed, causing a ripple of attention from the others in the office.
This exclamation piqued the curiosity of her female colleagues, all inquisitive of Lillian’s striking outfit.
Lillian could not bear to admit that the expensive sweater she wore beneath the outfit was even pricier.
“A 60,000-dollar suit?” one of them marveled. “No wonder Lillian looks absolutely stunning today!”
“As expected of this brand, the tailoring is impeccable.”
“Lillian, how do you manage to afford such clothes?” some of her coworkers could not help but wonder.
“It’s just a knockoff,” Lillian hastily retorted. “I can’t afford such high-end clothing.” “A knockoff? Even as a knockoff, it looks fabulous.”
Lillian forced a hesitant smile as she waited for her colleagues to disperse. As they wandered off, she furrowed her brows, a heavy sense of reality settling in. The dry-cleaning bill for the extravagant suit was sure to be astronomical, and she had the additional challenge of returning the attire to Callum.
Lillian could not forget the words Callum had uttered before she departed from his place. “If you ever decide to return this outfit, don’t send it by mail. Bring it to me personally or toss it in the trash.”
Returning the clothing in person meant facing him again. Thinking of it, Lillian
10:07
shuddered. Seeing him would only make her feel flustered. However, the idea of discarding clothes worth thousands of dollars was equally unpalatable.
“This would be the last time. I’m never getting myself drunk again!” Lillian silently reminded herself of that commitment.
In the CEO’s Office of White Maple Group, Callum sat at his desk, his fingers grazing a photograph. The person in the photo was wearing a radiant smile.
“Lillian…” Callum murmured softly. “Tell me, is everything I’m about to do really worth it?”
The intercom’s buzz interrupted his thoughts, and his secretary’s voice came through, “Mr. White, Ms. Tall is here to see you.”
“Alright, let her in,” Callum replied in a nonchalant tone as if he had been anticipating Madeline’s arrival.
Madeline entered the CEO’s Office, taking in the sight of Callum, who appeared effortlessly confident and elegant on the sofa, as though the world danced to his
tune.
Madeline had once believed that the man was easily manipulated, but now she could only recognize her own naiveté.
“Ms. Tall, it’s good to see you again,” Callum greeted her with an air of indifference.
Madeline took a deep breath, steeling herself. “You anticipated my visit, didn’t you?”
“At the moment, you have no one else to look for but me, right?” Callum retorted. Madeline gritted her teeth and said, “I’ve come to discuss a deal. I want to sell the remaining assets of the Tall family to you at a fair price.”
Callum chuckled. “Well, I’ve already transferred the agreed sum to the Tall family, but it doesn’t look like that has quite resurrected your family’s business, has it? Are you attempting to shift the responsibility for the Gunner family’s problems onto me now, Ms. Tall?”
“You simply need to say it. Will you make the purchase? This is a great opportunity for you to expand the White family’s territory. Acquiring the assets of the Tall family would be nothing but beneficial,” Madeline said.
“I can always choose to make the purchase or not. Even without it, I have the means to expand the White family’s domain. As for the Tall family, it seems like you’re headed for financial ruin,” Callum retorted.
Despite the lingering resentment in her heart, Madeline had to acknowledge that Callum was speaking plain truth. “I can help you rid your body of the curse. As long as it remains in your body you can never be with Lillian. All it takes is your acceptance of my terms and the acquisition of the Tall family’s assets, and I will remove the poison.”
Madeline knew that Callum had been anticipating those very words.
10:011
As expected, Callum fixed a resolute gaze upon her and delivered just two words, “Deal!”
An agreement was swiftly reached without haggling.
Madeline breathed a sigh of relief, yet she could not shake off the disappointment lingering in her heart.
Callum had cunningly secured that exchange, driven by his desire to be with Lillian, and he skillfully guided her into making the proposition.
Madeline could not help but feel a disquieting sense of unease at the way Callum was orchestrating his moves with such meticulous precision.
At that point, Madeline had no doubts about Callum’s resolve. He had no fear that she would have a change of heart or that she would break her word and refuse to remove the curse in him.
Callum was not one to offer her a second chance to go back on her words.
Madeline secretly wished that the woman Callum loved was her. It was not just a fleeting thought. It had crossed her mind more than once.
She could not help but imagine the bliss of being cherished by a man like him, a man who would shield her from life’s trials and offer his all to the one he loved.
Regrettably, it was Lillian who held Callum’s heart.
Madeline said, “But, Callum, removing the curse is a matter of life and death. There’s no guarantee that the procedure won’t entail any risks. Is it truly worth it for Lillian? From what I gather, she’s deeply in love with a man named Jerick now, isn’t she?”
Callum’s expression darkened. “This is my concern, and it’s none of your business, Madeline. You only need to fulfill your part.”
For Callum, as long as he could be with Lillian, no sacrifice was too great. If he could not have Lillian, it was no different from facing death itself.
Rosalie stepped into Levi’s clinic again and was not expecting to see Calvin there.
Calvin seemed to be talking to Levi in the clinic. When he saw Rosalie walking in, a flash of surprise overcame his eyes. He stared at her blankly.
Rosalie, upon seeing Calvin, was also taken aback. She said, “I’m sorry, I seem to be intruding. I’ll come back another day.”
