Chapter 33 A Generous Mastermind
Sylvia stood there stunned, her head buzzing.
What did Zachary mean by that? Was he blaming her for meddling?
Sylvia felt heartbroken and unwilling to accept defeat.
"I'm your mother!"
She screamed hoarsely, tears she'd held back for years streaming down her face.
She'd been cast out of the Jennings family, lost her husband and son, and suffered alone for years. The Jennings family owed her—shouldn't Zachary make up for what they'd done to her?
But Zachary's retreating figure didn't pause for even a moment. He walked away with absolute determination.
That unwavering resolve reminded Sylvia of the night she was abandoned. When William threw her out, his back had looked just as resolute.
Blood truly ran true. Grief overwhelmed her.
"Zachary, if you want to marry Quinley, it'll be over my dead body! Otherwise, I'll make her wish she were dead."
Zachary emerged from Sylvia's villa in a foul mood. Lucas waited in the driver's seat as Zachary opened the door and settled into the back.
When he was troubled, he usually stayed quiet and smoked. He opened his cigarette case to find it empty.
Zachary's eyes darkened slightly. Lucas caught this in the rearview mirror and passed back his half-empty pack.
"Mr. Jennings, I have cigarettes, but they're pretty strong."
Zachary was a man of refined tastes—most of his possessions were custom-made. He wasn't a heavy smoker, but he was particular about his cigarettes.
Right now, he couldn't afford to be picky. He took the pack from Lucas, lit one, rolled down the window, and took a deep drag.
The harsh tobacco hit his throat like a punch. Zachary wasn't used to it—he choked and started coughing violently.
"Mr. Jennings, these are too strong. You should probably stop."
Zachary gripped the cigarette, coughing while continuing to smoke.
Suddenly he asked, "Where is that woman?"
Lucas was momentarily confused, then understood. "She works at a beauty salon. She should still be there."
"Bring her to see me."
Zachary's voice was ice-cold.
Lucas acknowledged the order and immediately made arrangements.
The car headed straight to Maple Estate. After Zachary showered and changed into blue silk pajamas, the woman was brought in.
He descended from the second floor with leisurely, slightly languid steps. At six-foot-three, he wore those pajamas like he was walking a runway.
His elegant bearing, combined with that handsome face, left the woman staring.
"Sir, do you need beauty treatments?"
The woman before him was young and slender with curves in all the right places. She carried a small work case and stood in the entryway, her greedy eyes fixed on him.
Zachary didn't respond. He walked to the wine cabinet and poured himself a glass of red wine.
His long, elegant fingers gripped the wine glass, slowly swirling the contents.
The woman grew impatient and spoke again. "Sir, do you want a full treatment or just one area? Your skin looks so well-maintained—where do you usually go for treatments?"
She desperately tried to find topics to break the silence.
Zachary sat down, crossing his long legs. He leaned back against the sofa, his eyes narrowed with amusement as he studied her.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Lucy."
She answered seriously, her voice a bit grating, making Zachary frown.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Lucy couldn't read Zachary's intentions. This handsome, wealthy man had called for in-home service and paid an enormous tip. Now he was asking personal questions unrelated to her work.
Her mind began to wander with fantasies. This house, this car, this man...
"No... no... I've never even been in a relationship."
Lucy desperately tried to emphasize her innocence. But when someone tries too hard, it comes across as fake.
She unconsciously put on airs in front of Zachary, making small gestures to attract his attention.
But Zachary's deep gaze never showed any special interest in her. She waited hopefully, her heart pounding.
Suddenly, Zachary looked up. Their eyes met, and his were filled with cold light, like knives stabbing into her chest.
Lucy was frightened. She finally realized this man, this car, this house—none of it had anything to do with her.
"Dennis. Know him?"
Zachary's question came out of nowhere.
Lucy froze for a second, then quickly denied it. "I don't know him."
Zachary said nothing more, his piercing gaze fixed on her. She had a guilty conscience and was terrified.
"Sir, if you don't need beauty treatments, I should head back."
She picked up her case, preparing to leave.
Lucas blocked her path. "Mr. Jennings asked you a question. You'd better answer honestly. Do you know Dennis or not?"
Lucas had a stern face, and his sudden raised voice scared Lucy.
"I... I don't know him."
She began to stutter.
"If you don't know him, how did you get pregnant with his child? If you don't know him, why would he take on loan shark debt for you?"
Lucas fired two questions at her, leaving Lucy's face deathly pale. She regretted her greed—it had gotten her into serious trouble.
"I didn't. It wasn't me."
"Looks like you won't cry until you see the coffin."
Lucas grabbed Lucy by the throat. Veins bulged on his arm as he gradually increased pressure. Lucy cried out in pain, struggling frantically to pry his large hands away.
She refused to talk—her lips were sealed tight.
Zachary leisurely sipped his wine. Lucy cried and was so scared she wet herself, but she still wouldn't admit anything.
Lucas didn't hit women, but that didn't mean he wouldn't make an exception.
"Will you tell me voluntarily, or do I have to force it out of you?"
He gave her two choices.
Lucy was in pain and terror, but she shook her head like a rattle.
"I don't know anything. I really don't know anything."
Lucas despised people who didn't know what was good for them. He had no patience for games. He smashed a glass with one hand, picked up a shard, and sliced it across Lucy's face.
The force was light, the cut shallow.
Lucy let out a howling scream.
Lucas was unmoved, his cold eyes carrying a hint of ruthlessness.
"Want another one?"
Every word from his mouth was laced with menace.
Lucy still wanted to hide the truth, but when Lucas grabbed another glass shard and moved toward the other side of her face, she immediately gave in.
"I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
Lucas released his grip.
Lucy crouched on the floor, gasping for air.
"I know Dennis. He used to be my boyfriend, but we only dated for a short time and broke up almost a week ago. I didn't mean to deceive him—someone found me and gave me a lot of money—"
She frantically reached into her collar and pulled out a check from her bra.
"She was very generous—gave me a million dollars. She said all I had to do was tell Dennis I was pregnant and get him to sign for a loan shark debt. I really didn't think things would turn out like this. I didn't want to hurt him."
Lucas frowned and handed the check to Zachary. One glance told him everything he needed to know.