Chapter 560

Chapter 560:

Because Shepard respected the Finch family, he was willing to overlook Leona’s sharp tone toward him. What he could not forgive, however, was anyone bullying Amelia.

“What exactly happened here?” Leona demanded as she hurried over, Manuel close behind. He had been entertaining guests all evening and hadn’t spoken to Kelsey since, so the moment he saw her he pushed past Shepard without hesitation.

“Did Salome cause trouble for you again?” Manuel’s voice was meant to be low, but everyone heard it. His dislike for Salome ran deep. For as long as he could remember, Salome had tried to outshine Kelsey—whatever Kelsey had, Salome wanted too.

Kelsey tugged him back. “She didn’t cause me any trouble today,” she said.

Standing before Leona, Salome put on a pitiable expression and turned to Amelia. “Mrs. Stewart, my mother never meant to upset you. Please don’t hold it against her. She was only worried about my injuries and thought you were to blame p>

Amelia folded her arms and sneered. “Is that so? Then why didn’t you speak up when your mother lashed out at me p>

𝖩𝗈𝘪𝗻 t𝗁𝘰𝘶sа𝗇𝗱𝗌 𝘰𝘧 f𝘢𝗻𝘴 о𝘯

She had no trouble seeing through Salome’s act. After all, both the late Dayna and Elena had been far more cunning than Salome; their schemes had been subtler and better planned. Amelia kept her voice calm, but Salome could sense the faint thread of mockery in it.

While Salome faltered, unsure how to reply, Amelia shifted her gaze to Leona and smiled. “Mrs. Finch, it’s getting late. Wyatt and I will leave now p>

“All right. Come by with Kelsey another day when you have time p>

“Certainly p>

After saying goodbye to Kelsey, Amelia departed with Wyatt and Shepard. The moment they were gone, Leona’s smile faded. “Salome, be honest with me. What really happened?” she asked sharply.

Accustomed to Leona’s gentle nature, Salome flinched at the sudden sternness. Panic flickered in her eyes, though she quickly masked it and answered evenly, “I slipped and fell by accident. My mother was so worried about me, and she misunderstood Mrs. Stewart, thinking she made me trip p>

Manuel reacted first, his brows arching in suspicion. “Salome, you’re not a child anymore. How could you stumble so easily? Did you do it deliberately p>

His accusation made Salome seethe inside, though outwardly she maintained her wounded expression. “Manuel, I know you’ve never liked me, but you can’t frame me like this. If I had done it on purpose, would I have gone so far as to hurt my own face like this p>

While speaking, she deliberately tilted her face to show him the wound. The sight of dried blood made Manuel press his lips together, and he chose not to argue further.

At ten o’clock in the evening, outside the entrance of The Noir.

“Mr. Stewart, Yosef has been waiting inside p>

The moment Wyatt stepped out of the car, Hiram moved quickly from his post at the entrance to greet him. Wyatt gave a nod in response and strode into the club.

By coincidence, or perhaps by design, Yosef had taken the very seat where Leandro had once sat. The club was silent and empty, with only Yosef present and guards standing watch by the door. When Wyatt’s shadow fell across the sofa opposite him, Yosef raised his head. He lacked Leandro’s refined looks, but a cunning gleam flashed in his eyes now and then. His gaze on Wyatt betrayed the weight of his ambition.

With unhurried grace, Wyatt lowered himself onto the sofa across from Yosef. At first, Yosef intended to let Wyatt start the conversation, but as the silence stretched on, Wyatt offered no words.

Unable to endure it any longer, Yosef broke the silence. “Mr. Stewart, what kind of partnership are you proposing?” The moment the words left him, he realized he had handed Wyatt the upper hand in the negotiation. Still, if the matter concerned striking at Leandro, he was willing to accept the disadvantage.

“Mr. Rodriguez, I can help you take back everything you desire, but it will cost the Brightmore Group part of its interests. Are you willing to do that?” Wyatt asked.

Yosef’s brows drew together; he held his tongue. Sensing the hesitation, Wyatt glanced briefly at the door. Hiram stepped forward with a file and placed it on the table at Wyatt’s instruction.

As Yosef flipped it open, his face changed. He stared at the pages, suspicion sharpening his gaze. “These are the Brightmore Group’s core projects. Where did you get this information p>

“That isn’t the point. The point is whether you’re ready to agree to my terms,” Wyatt said.

Yosef studied the file in silence. After a long pause he lifted his head and smiled. “Looks like Leandro has finally found himself a formidable enemy.” He didn’t give Wyatt a chance to reply before continuing, “I’ll accept your terms, but I have a condition p>

Message from Noa: Beautiful Friday dear reader. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. p>