Chapter 106
Suddenly, Sebastian Blackwood collapsed into the scattered wine bottles on the floor.
With the immediate danger gone, Lexi slumped beside him, nudging him lightly with her foot, utterly perplexed.
Sebastian—invincible, untouchable, a man who could walk through fire and blades without a scratch—how could he crumble just trying to grab a bottle from the wine cellar?
It didn’t make sense.
Should she call Charles Blackwood p>
He was Sebastian’s father; he ought to know if his son had some hidden fear.
If Sebastian was afraid of this place, he shouldn’t have been sent here in the first place.
Lexi’s brows knit tightly.
She pressed herself against the wine rack and carefully stood, ready to run for help to carry him out.
But then, Sebastian’s hand shot out and gripped her ankle, his voice low, almost pleading.
“Don’t call anyone,” he murmured.
Lexi’s heart softened at the sight.
She crouched down beside him, eyes filled with concern.
“What’s wrong?” she asked gently, searching his now-aware gaze.
Sebastian leaned against the wine rack, letting out a bitter chuckle.
“When I was a kid, my sister and I played hide-and-seek all the time. Once, I hid down here and saw a maid… she ended her life with her wrists slit. Blood everywhere. I ran out screaming and got terribly sick afterward. The truth was she had a terminal illness and wanted to end her suffering before time ran out. My mother had the cellar renovated afterward, and everyone stayed silent… but I never could. I always felt like her ghost haunted this place. I couldn’t tell anyone, especially my sister—she would have laughed at me p>
Lexi couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing.
“Sebastian, I never thought you could be afraid. And of something so… intangible! Looks like I have leverage over you now. Let’s see how you try to act all imposing around me after this p>
Sebastian’s face flushed with both embarrassment and fury.
“I only told you. If you tell anyone else… I won’t forgive you p>
Normally, this cellar didn’t intimidate him—but today the flickering lights had made him hallucinate.
That’s why he had lost his composure.
Lexi grinned and held up three fingers.
“Fine.
I’ll keep your secret… but you have to agree to three conditions p>
“Go on,” Sebastian said casually, raising an eyebrow.
No matter what she asked, he could easily comply.
“First, return that jewelry to your father. Our relationship isn’t so… complicated yet that money should be thrown in between us p>
Lexi picked up the jewelry box from the floor and handed it to him.
She couldn’t help laughing inwardly at the absurdity—this was straight out of a soap opera.
Even Charles…shrewd and calculating, had tried this old trick.
Sebastian folded his arms, lips curving into a teasing smile.
“Since he gave it to you, keep it. Don’t expect me to return it p>
Lexi placed the box carefully on the wine rack.
If he wouldn’t take it, she certainly wouldn’t.
“Second,” she said, eyes sparkling with mischief, “you can never force me to do something I don’t want to do. I get to choose my own path. I’m free p>
Sebastian watched her, captivated by the confident, radiant light in her eyes.
He nodded faintly, still calm, still steady.
“And the third p>
“I haven’t thought of it yet,” Lexi admitted after a pause.
“When I do, I’ll tell you p>
She hadn’t figured out a condition that would benefit both of them yet—so she stalled.
“Just remember, you owe me one,” she added cheerfully, striding out of the cellar.
Sebastian watched her retreating figure and couldn’t help but feel the surge of energy emanating from her tiny frame.
She could chase away the shadows and despair that always lingered in his soul.
To have someone to share your secrets with… it was rare, and he cherished it.
After leaving Sebastian’s mansion, Lexi found time to visit the hospital with flowers and a fruit basket for Julian.
She was startled to find Vincent Reed there as well, which made her a little nervous.
“I’ll investigate the poisoning incident thoroughly,” Vincent said, handing her a business card.
“If you find any leads, call me immediately p>
Lexi bowed politely and accepted it, still flustered as he left the room.
“Don’t worry,” Julian said softly, smiling.
“My father’s always on edge. You don’t need to be nervous p>
Relieved, Lexi arranged the flowers in a vase on the windowsill, washed the fruits, and let the mixed scents of flowers and fruit mask the antiseptic smell.
“Do you suspect anyone?” Lexi asked carefully.
Julian paused, then shook his head helplessly.
“I can’t think of anyone who would poison me. I haven’t crossed anyone lately. It must’ve been an accident p>
But Lexi could see the truth in his eyes.
He had a suspect in mind—a key player in the Reed business and her own brother’s associate—but he had no evidence and couldn’t speak it aloud.
“Don’t worry about me,” Lexi said softly.
“If you need to act, do it. I’m stronger than you think p>
Julian reached out and touched her hair gently.
“I know, my brave little girl. Just remember, the business world is dangerous. I want you to focus on your career—get that lead role award, nothing else p>
Lexi nodded, her heart filling with warmth.
Only Julian seemed to truly understand her.
Only he could.
A few days later, Lexi returned to the film set.
Today, she was filming a scene with Logan—a man who was hours late and clearly held a grudge.
Director Sam slammed the script on the table.
“Are you two heartless stones? This is a romantic scene, not a funeral! Show some professionalism p>
Logan sneered coldly at Lexi, barely concealing his fury.