Chapter 60
“I’d love to see what kind of thoughts you’ll have next time we meet,” Sebastian said smoothly, one arm wrapping around Lauren’s shoulders as he glanced back at Lexi with cool amusement.
“Oh—and Juffer has been asking about you. If he gets the chance, he’ll come say hello p>
With that, he turned and walked away, taking Lauren with him, their figures disappearing into the night.
Lexi stared after them—and when the image of a massive Tibetan mastiff flashed through her mind, she shuddered so hard she nearly jumped out of her skin.
“Lexi! What are you standing there for? Get over here—we’re shooting p>
The director’s voice snapped her back to reality.
She hurried onto the set, nodding apologetically.
Whether the director was being intentionally difficult or obsessively perfectionistic, her twenty-minute scene stretched into an all-night shoot.
By the time they finally wrapped, it was nearly four in the morning.
Lexi didn’t even bother removing her makeup.
She collapsed face-first onto the table in the lounge and fell asleep instantly.
In her dream, someone kicked her.
She jolted awake.
Standing in front of her was Su Luo, arms crossed, staring down at her with obvious disgust.
“Go wash up. I brought you breakfast p>
Lexi shuffled into the restroom, half-asleep.
When she came back out, LoLohad already laid everything out and handed her a sandwich.
Still foggy, she took a bite without thinking.
The moment she chewed, her mouth felt like it had caught fire—sharp, bitter, violently spicy.
Tears and snot burst out at the same time.
Her sleepiness vanished instantly.
“Well?” He burst out laughing.
“My special sandwich. Consider it payback for yesterday p>
Lexi threw the sandwich straight into the trash and shot him a death glare.
So childish.
She’d remember this.
After wrapping up, Lexi didn’t even go home to rest.
Following Sebastian’s orders, she headed straight to Omar Mall, supposedly to meet a mysterious man named Frank—a key broker in the underground arms trade.
She waited for over two hours.
The mall was about to close, and Frank still hadn’t shown.
As staff began clearing the area, Lexi sighed and turned to leave—when someone called her name.
She turned.
“Dominic p>
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” he said.
She hadn’t seen him in a long time.
He looked thinner, worn down, the sharp confidence he once had dulled by exhaustion.
He studied her carefully, frowning.
“You’re here to see Frank, aren’t you p>
“You—how did you know p>
The moment the words left her mouth, Lexi clamped her hand over it.
Too late.
The deal wasn’t just Sebastian’s.
The Reed family wanted it too.
And Dominic now stood on their side.
Which meant—she was standing opposite two of the most important people in her life.
Sebastian’s move was ruthless.
One strike, multiple targets.
Since the mall was closing, Dominic took her to a nearby restaurant instead, ordering all her favorite dishes.
But her chest felt heavy, like a stone pressing down.
She couldn’t eat a single bite.
“Lexi,” Dominic said finally, his expression grave.
“I need your help p>
She smiled faintly.
“You’ve helped me my whole life without ever asking for anything in return. If there’s something I can do, I won’t back down p>
Even as she said it, she knew—this wouldn’t be simple.
He cleared his throat.
“Since the Blackwood family and the Reed family split, the underground has been divided. Neither side can dominate completely. This contract—this shipment—it decides everything p>
He paused.
“If the Reed family signs it, they take control of the ports. But I’ve heard Frank is leaning toward Sebastian instead. And Sebastian… he has a flash drive. It contains every detail of the negotiation p>
Lexi’s fingers tightened.
“I want you,” Dominic said quietly, “to steal it from him p>
Her heartbeat thundered.
She stared at him, disbelief flooding her chest.
Was this really the man she once admired?
The righteous brother who valued loyalty above all else?
“Why do you think I can get it?” she asked hoarsely.
“You know exactly what kind of man Sebastian Blackwood is p>
Because Sebastian treated her differently.
Cold on the surface—but dangerously protective underneath.
“If we win this,” Dominic continued, voice heavy, “the Reed family rises again. Julian regains his power. And you p>
He hesitated.
“You’ll be free. Free from the Blackwoods. Free from that contract. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted p>
His gaze flickered with guilt.
He knew Sebastian had trapped her with a blood-bound agreement.
He wanted to save her—but without power, he couldn’t even sit at the same table as Sebastian.
This contract would change everything.
The temptation was unbearable.
If she left the Blackwoods… left Sebastian… left Lauren and all that poison—
Wouldn’t that be a good thing?
They sat in silence until the food went cold.
Finally, Lexi stood.
“Give me some time. I need to think p>
She grabbed her bag and turned to leave.
Dominic rose quickly and rested a hand on her shoulder.
“If you don’t want to do it, I’ll find another way. You matter more to me than my own life. I won’t force you—and I won’t let you get hurt p>
She nodded, heart heavy, and walked out.
Neon lights blurred together outside.
Normally dazzling—but tonight, none of it reached her heart.
Power mattered.
Status mattered.
But did it have to be gained this way?
Rain began to fall.
By the time she reached the bus stop, her hair was damp, her body cold as she hugged herself on the bench.
She didn’t know how long she sat there.
Until a black umbrella appeared overhead.
She looked up.
Connor smiled gently.
“Miss Lexi. What a coincidence. We just dropped Mr. Frank off at his hotel. Sebastian is in the car ahead. Let us take you home p>
She tried to refuse.
“If you stay,” Connor said softly, “I’ll have to stay too p>
Not wanting to trouble him, Lexi stood and followed.
So Sebastian had already met Frank.
Sending her to Omar Mall had been nothing but a cruel joke.
She climbed into the car, turning her face away, refusing to look at him.
“Didn’t see Frank, so now you’re angry with me?” Sebastian asked calmly.