Chapter 274 Mrs. Lancaster Went to a Hotel with a Man
"Go ahead."
"I can give Ms. Getty the latest painkiller developed by the Romanov family, but I have two conditions." Caspian got straight to the point. "First, I get to choose which Apex Global Group projects I want. Second, my grandfather is in poor health, and Ms. Getty must go treat him."
"You want me to treat him?" Harriet asked curiously. "Why doesn't Mr. Romanov ask Mr. Jones?"
"I already had Mr. Jones treat him. He said my grandfather's condition isn't serious, just needs gradual care. But that kind of care is exactly what tests a doctor's skills the most."
"And your medical skills in this area are far better than his, so he suggested I come to you."
"I've also heard that Ms. Getty's medical skills have long surpassed Mr. Jones's."
A server brought in coffee.
Harriet thanked them, took a small sip of coffee, and spoke calmly. "Although Mr. Romanov's conditions are tempting, I think there's still deep hatred between us, so it's hard for me not to suspect there might be a trap here."
"I told you, my sister's death is already in the past." Caspian smiled. "Or does Ms. Getty think Theo's word isn't good enough, that the Romanov family would go back on their word?"
Harriet smiled slightly. "For my daughter's sake, I can agree to Mr. Romanov's second condition. But I'm afraid I can't agree to the first condition."
"Really?" Caspian stated. "Mr. Lancaster made it very clear on the phone that I could name any conditions."
"He cares about the child, so he would indeed let you name your conditions."
"Then what concerns does Ms. Getty have?"
"I don't get too involved in business matters, but that doesn't mean I don't know anything." Harriet stirred her coffee with a small spoon. "Right now in Athenia, the most powerful is Apex Global Group, followed by the Johnson Group, with the Lancaster Group in third place. But Apex Global Group really dominates. And the Romanov family has been moving operations back home these past few years—you're planning to develop here, right?"
"That's right." Caspian was frank. "Lark is buried in Athenia, and Grandfather wants to settle in Emberfall so he can visit her grave regularly."
"The Romanov family has strong financial resources, but to establish roots in Emberfall quickly, getting several projects from Apex Global Group is indeed the best way. But once you gain a foothold, it will naturally affect Apex Global Group. I can't agree to that."
Caspian calmly drank his fragrant tea. "I heard Ms. Getty left Emberfall for three years, was with Nolan, and is now at a standstill with Tristan. Seems the rumors were wrong—Ms. Getty clearly does care about Tristan."
"My standoff with him is our own business, but on these major matters, I can't not consider his interests."
Caspian raised an eyebrow. "But if you don't agree, you won't get the medicine your daughter needs."
Harriet curved her lips slightly. "Is Mr. Romanov threatening me?"
"Just stating facts."
Harriet took a sip of coffee. "If it were life-saving medicine, I might consider it, but this medicine isn't a matter of life or death for my daughter."
"On the contrary, since Mr. Romanov came to me, it means your grandfather's situation is quite tricky. For you, this deal is a matter of life or death."
"To put it bluntly, my daughter won't die without your medicine, but your grandfather might die without my treatment. So Mr. Romanov, what right do you have to threaten me?"
Tristan had been at the hospital these past few days. In the afternoon, he returned to Apex Global Group to handle urgent business and had dinner there too.
"Mr. Lancaster," Ryder knocked and entered. "Just got word—Mrs. Lancaster went to see Caspian."
Tristan frowned. "She went to find Caspian on her own?"
"I checked—it was Caspian who contacted Mrs. Lancaster first."
"Does she have protection with her?"
"Mrs. Lancaster brought bodyguards. Should be no danger." Ryder said, "The Romanov family has been shifting their business focus back home these past two years. I heard Mr. Mason Romanov wants to return to his homeland, and Lark is also buried in Emberfall."
Tristan sneered. "The Romanov family really can't forget about their granddaughter Lark."
"I heard Mr. Mason Romanov spent considerable effort searching for this lost granddaughter. No wonder he fell ill after her death."
"Mr. Lancaster, hasn't Caspian responded to you? What will it take for him to hand over the medicine Della needs?" Ryder asked worriedly. "What if he tries to weaken our strength? Won't that be hard to deal with?"
"He doesn't have that ability." Tristan's fingertips tapped the desk rhythmically. "But he hasn't responded directly to me, and then immediately went to find Harriet—he must have his purpose. Find out where they're meeting. I'll go pick up Harriet."
Just as he finished speaking, Ryder's phone rang.
"Mr. Scott, Mrs. Lancaster got in Caspian's car. They first went to the Johnson Mansion, and now they're heading toward Golden Ember Hotel!"
Tristan stood up abruptly and strode out.
In the black luxury car, Caspian looked at Harriet beside him.
Although she was already a mother, Harriet look the same as three years ago.
Her delicate skin and stunning features, combined with her clean, cool temperament, made it impossible to look away.
And that mysterious attraction she had didn't seem to have faded. Caspian didn't even realize when he'd become lost in thought.
Though Harriet didn't turn her head, she could still feel Caspian's gaze. She couldn't help but speak. "With Mr. Romanov's family background and status, you must have seen countless beauties. I shouldn't catch your eye, right?"
Only then did Caspian realize his lapse. He came back to his senses. "Sorry... but I won't deny that I do have an indescribable feeling toward Ms. Getty."
"Mr. Romanov's pickup line is rather cliché." Harriet curved her lips slightly. "To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, I want to remind Mr. Romanov that I don't want to invite unnecessary emotional entanglements."
Caspian laughed. "Ms. Getty misunderstands. I have no improper intentions toward you. I just feel you're... different from others."
Harriet fell silent.
She felt like she was stating the obvious.
Harriet didn't dwell on this issue and turned to look out the window.
Caspian stopped staring at her too.
He didn't know what was wrong with him—he kept getting inexplicably attracted to her.
And he'd clearly intended to use the medicine to get Apex Global Group projects and have Harriet agree to treat Mason.
But he hadn't expected Harriet to see through it so clearly and easily make him compromise.
Indeed, anyone who could become Tristan's wife couldn't be a simple woman.
The black luxury car stopped outside Golden Ember Hotel.
Just as Harriet was about to follow Caspian inside, a Rolls-Royce pulled up beside them.
Tristan, in a tailored black suit, got out from the back seat and strode toward them.
Though he was alone, it was as if an army followed behind him, his presence overwhelmingly powerful.
Tristan walked straight to Harriet's side, took her hand, and pulled her behind him protectively. His deep, cold eyes looked at Caspian. "What business do you have bringing my wife here?"
"Mr. Lancaster arrived faster than I expected." Caspian smiled. "I invited Ms. Getty here to treat my family member. No need for Mr. Lancaster to be nervous."
"I said you could name any conditions, but that doesn't include setting your sights on my wife." Tristan said coldly. "I'm taking my wife now. Don't come looking for her again, or else... the Romanov family might not make it back to Emberfall."
"Mr. Lancaster, Ms. Getty isn't a canary you keep in a cage, nor should she be one." Caspian smiled lightly. "Either way, you should at least ask her opinion, right?"
Tristan turned to look at Harriet. "The Romanov family can't easily let go of their hatred. If they want to deal with you, walking in here would be walking into a trap."
"I've already gotten the medicine Della needs. No problem—it's been sent to the hospital for the doctors to test." Harriet explained. "In exchange, I need to treat Mr. Mason Romanov. I know you're worried about my safety, but I wouldn't take risks. If I didn't have complete preparation, I wouldn't come here lightly."