Chapter 167
Wayne
Watching Lyra's pathetic retreat, I lit a cigarette and settled beside Samuel.
"Hate me yet?" I asked without looking at him.
Samuel understood - did he hate me for systematically dismantling his position in the company?
"Nothing to hate," Samuel replied neutrally. "You're just doing your job."
I flicked ash, smiling slightly. "Good. I'm completely loyal to Paxton. But what about you? Who are you loyal to these days?"
"Ever since Freya left, you've been completely scattered. So I'll ask again - who are you loyal to?"
"You never gave me a choice," Samuel said, his usual warmth replaced by coldness.
I laughed softly. "If we had, would you have picked Sterling Group over Freya? Could you actually hurt her, Samuel?"
His silence told me everything. I'd been watching him for months, seen how his eyes followed Freya, the changes in his voice when he spoke to her. The man was completely smitten.
"We're friends," Samuel said with rare edge. "She found someone she loved. She was betrayed first, which is why she left. Why do you have to keep targeting her?"
My smile turned glacial. "Samuel, don't you understand? She spent years at Sterling Group. She knows too many secrets. Her leaving was betrayal, pure and simple."
Samuel laughed bitterly. "So if I leave, that's betrayal too?"
I studied him carefully. He was finally showing his true colors, the loyalty conflict he'd been wrestling with for months.
"I get it now," Samuel said with self-mockery. "However you treat Freya, that's how you'll treat me too, right?"
I stood slowly, letting my gaze rake over him like a specimen under examination. After a moment, I let out an amused huff and turned to leave.
Freya
I stared at my phone as notifications flooded in. Morgan Group's social media was overwhelmed with desperate pleas from organ transplant patients.
I'd replied to dozens of families: [Bring your family to Morgan Group.]
I was doing real charity. The research materials alone cost a fortune. The executives thought I'd lost my mind.
Shareholders called an emergency meeting. "Why are you spending money to save ordinary people?"
I tapped my pen against the table. "Do your combined shares even reach ten percent? Lucas, Zane, and I hold over fifty percent."
"But our dividends will decrease!" someone protested.
My eyes flashed coldly. "I'll personally cover the experimental costs. Any other problems?"
They filed out speechless.
Sean remained, playing with his coffee cup. "I don't get you. You're head of Summit Global Group, but you're stirring up trouble at Morgan Group."
I responded, "Morgan Group belongs to Lucas. It also belongs to me. Someday, I'll truly make it mine."
"But why spend this much money?" he asked.
I smiled meaningfully. "What do you think?"
Sean understood immediately.
I had money. At this moment, doing good wasn't just about peace of mind - it was about crafting my public image with real money.
The more I did this, the more people would attack Lyra.
I was playing a long game, setting up pieces for future battles.
Two months later, Morgan Group's R&D department was complete. I'd been eating in the employee cafeteria, monitoring progress.
Today, as I sat with my tray, I spotted Lucas's assistant wheeling him toward the dining area. I was about to greet him when someone rushed into his path.
The woman collided with his wheelchair, nearly toppling it. Her tomato soup splashed across Lucas's suit, her tray clattering to the floor.
The cafeteria fell silent.
I raised an eyebrow, wolf instincts alert. The woman was one of Sean's subordinates, reportedly close to Ben lately.
Every eye watched the scene, stealing glances at me, waiting for my reaction. Everyone knew Lucas was mine.
"I'm so sorry!" The woman frantically pulled out tissues, dabbing at Lucas's jacket with intimate movements that made my jaw clench.
She continued, "How much was this suit? I'll pay for the dry cleaning!"
"Don't worry about it," Lucas said curtly. "Just be more careful next time."
Department heads surrounded them, asking if Lucas was burned, needed medical attention.
I remained seated, continuing to eat as if nothing had happened. Part of me wanted to stride over there and make it clear that Lucas was off-limits, but another part - the calculating part - wanted to see how he'd handle this obvious attempt at manipulation
Lucas looked frustrated as the woman fussed over his jacket. He pushed her hands away and looked directly at me.
For a moment, he seemed like he might call me over, then simply waved and signaled his assistant to leave.
My phone buzzed.
Lucas: [I'm in your office.]
I didn't reply immediately. Instead, I finished my meal at a leisurely pace, taking my time with every bite. Only when I was completely done did I take the elevator to the top floor.
"Been waiting long?" I asked, entering my office.
Lucas had changed suits. His assistant was clearing untouched takeout from Serenity Court.
"You haven't eaten yet?" I settled across from him coolly.
I could perceive wounded pride flash across his features at my dismissive manner.
I walked around the desk, stopping beside his wheelchair. "So, how was the soup?"
"What soup?" Lucas looked confused.
I replied, "The tomato soup. Was the woman who delivered it pretty?"
The tension in his shoulders eased as Lucas realized I wasn't being cold - I was jealousy.
The ice in his expression melted into something warmer, almost relieved.
"Freya, you're upset?" he asked, leaning back in his wheelchair.
I kept my tone deliberately light, almost mocking. "You should be more careful in the cafeteria next time. One of your suits costs more than most people make in a year. They can't afford to replace it."
I paused, letting my words sink in. "But of course, you are so kind and understanding. Naturally, you wouldn't make someone pay for damages. A few more 'accidents' wouldn't matter, right?"
Lucas's face broke into a grin, and he reached for my hand, gripping it tightly. "Freya, are you teasing me?"
I made a soft sound of acknowledgment, neither confirming nor denying.
"But you're still not happy," he observed, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.
I looked down at our joined hands. "You're mine, Lucas. I don't like other people... touching what's mine."
The possessiveness in my voice surprised even me. My wolf side was definitely showing through today.
Lucas's smile turned predatory, satisfied. "Freya, you know you're the only one in my heart."
I nodded and pulled out my phone.
"Who are you calling?" Lucas asked, his arm sliding around my waist, pulling me closer to his wheelchair. He seemed reluctant to let me go, as if he was afraid I might disappear again.
I replied, "Ordering you lunch. You haven't eaten anything, aren't you hungry?"
But Lucas's hand covered mine, stopping me.
"I heard you've been getting close to Valor lately," he said casually.
I looked up from my phone, meeting his gaze. "You know Valor?"