Chapter 177
Kingsley scanned Lucy’s file again. His eyes remained calm; he clearly suspected nothing. The only thorn in his side was Jules, who had been by her side for over two years.
His finger traced the edge of the tablet, the screen’s cold light reflecting in his deep, unreadable eyes.
After a pause, he sent another message to Shane.
Night deepened.
Kingsley returned to his residence when the phone in his pocket vibrated. It was a call from Joyce.
He glanced at it but didn’t pick up. All day, his mind had been consumed with how to pursue Lucy. Her absolute rejection gave him a sense of helplessness he had never experienced before. It was more difficult than closing a multi-billion dollar deal.
The call ended, then stubbornly rang again.
Frowning, Kingsley swiped to answer, his patience thin.
Joyce’s delicate voice floated through the speaker immediately. “Kingsley, I just arrived in Switzerland. Let’s have dinner together, okay p>
“I’ve eaten,” Kingsley replied flatly.
The servant standing nearby froze the stove was still on, dinner was half-cooked. Who was that meal for if the master had eaten?
Joyce didn’t catch the rejection. She pressed on, undeterred. “Then come out for a walk with me p>
“Joyce, there is nothing left between us,” Kingsley said, walking to the balcony. He looked out at the ink-black night, his voice icy. “I avenged your parents. I am starting my own life. You should do the same p>
Joyce’s voice instantly turned tearful. “I know… but Kingsley, I like you. I want to be with you. Can’t you give me one chance p>
Her pitiful tone moved him not at all. “No. I don’t like you p>
A breakdown ensued on the other end. “Then just leave me be! Let me rot! If you don’t like me, why did you take care of me p>
“You know exactly why,” Kingsley said hard. “That so-called
responsibility was entirely for your mother’s sake Joyce, whatever Sentiment remained has been exhausted by you. Don’t look for me again, and don’t call Shane
He hung up without hesitation, his brow still furrowed.
He opened WhatsApp and messaged Shane: [Block Joyce’s contact. No need to manage her affairs anymore p>
He then dragged Joyce’s number into his own blacklist.
The servant approached softly. “Sir, dinner is ready p>
Kingsley rubbed his temples and headed for the dining room.
On the other end of the line, hearing only the dial tone, Joyce froze. A second later, her legs gave out and she slid to the expensive hotel carpet in a heap
Tears fell like broken beads, her sobs tearing through the empty room.
After an unknown amount of time, she picked up her phone with trembling hands.
Kingsley suddenly in Switzerland… who else could it be for but Lucy?
The thought twisted her tear-stained face into something ugly.
Kingsley wants to win Lucy back? She would never allow it.
Joyce looked up. The hurt in her eyes vanished in an instant swallowed by a terrifying chill “Kingsley can only belong to me p>
Her fingers flew across the screen, sending a message followed by a large transfer
of funds-a desperate, all-in gamble.