Chapter 26 A Rotten Bargain
She couldn’t bear to see it all fall apart.
Agreeing to negotiate wasn’t just to protect the project–it was, perhaps, also the last time she would repay Shane for once saving her life.
“Sarah-”
Nora hadn’t expected the fallout to land back on her. Her expression tightened, eyes shimmering with tears. “Henry has his eye on you. If the project changes hands after the deal, be might back out. I know you’re angry, but don’t let emotions get in the way of work.”
Sarah’s lips curled slightly. “Are you teaching me how to do my job?”
“Alright.”
Shane finally cut in, breaking the rising tension.
His eyes lingered on Sarah, unreadable.
“I believe you’ll get it done. And like I said–you’ll have full control of the project from now on.”
He thought he was making a compromise.
The partner might’ve changed, but the project itself hadn’t.
Returning it to Sarah now… was, in his eyes, an act of grace. One that should earn her obedience.
Sarah smiled bitterly.
He always insisted on giving her what she didn’t want.
Just like when he used to give her clothes Nora liked to wear, forcing her to accept something that never
suited her.
She clutched the folder tightly, voice cold.
“I’m not asking for your opinion, Mr. Shane. I’m informing you: I’ll negotiate. Nothing more.”
The room went still.
Everyone looked at her in shock.
Sarah? Talking back to Mr. Shane?
It was like the sun rising in the west.
She ignored their reactions, gathered the full set of documents, and turned to leave.
She didn’t want to spend another second in that office.
Shane stared at her retreating figure, anger flaring in his chest.
His usually warm eyes turned cold, and he frowned, then chuckled.
“Sarah. Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”
Chapter 26 A Rotten Bargain
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She was laughing with his biggest rival out in public–he held back.
She gave him attitude in front of everyone—he still held back.
Nora, catching the shift in his mood, suddenly let out a quiet sob and grabbed his sleeve,
“Mr. Shane, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have let Sarah come clean up my mess. She’s right to be upset. Please don’t blame her…”
She was delicate, vulnerable. The image of self–sacrificing sweetness.
Shape glanced down and quietly withdrew his arm, tone light but detached, “You didn’t mean to. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
Just after Sarah got home, her phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
She hesitated, then answered.
“Sarah, long time no see.”
The voice on the other end was greasy, arrogant, and instantly nauseating.
Henry.
Sarah’s fingers tightened around the phone as she tried to keep calm. “Mr. Henry. It’s been a while.” “Touching. You still remember me.”
Henry laughed loudly, grossly.
The next sound was a muffled grunt–followed by a woman’s moan.
Sarah’s stomach turned.
There was no need to guess what he was doing while on the phone.
A year ago, she’d tried to close a deal with Simone Corp.
They’d brought Henry along–claiming he needed experience as the heir.
At dinner, Henry had slipped something into her drink.
When she realized, she fought back hard–smashing a bottle over his head before the drug could take effect.
When she woke up, she was in a hospital. The project was dead.
Shane had been away on business. She hadn’t told him, not wanting to distract him.
Henry, embarrassed by the incident, hadn’t pursued it further.
Since then, she’d made sure to avoid Simone Corp entirely.
But now-
3:53 PM
Chapter 26 A Rotten Bargain
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“Ahh… Sarah…”
Henry’s voice rose, thick with imagined pleasure–as if he were picturing her beneath him.
Sarah went pale.
“Mr. Henry, you’re clearly enjoying yourself. Let’s talk business another time.”
She was ready to hang up.
But Henry chuckled, his voice turning sharp and slimy like a snake slithering through dead leaves.
“Sarah, I’m a busy man. The only time I have for you is when I’m in bed with a woman.”
He laughed again. “It’s touching that you still remember me. Let’s meet. This Sunday, five o’clock. Ocean Club. Don’t be late.”
Click.
The call ended.
No room for choice. No room for negotiation.
Sarah sank into the couch, her limbs weak, her face drawn tight with tension.
Her fingers curled slightly around the phone as her brows furrowed–deep and dark.
