Chapter 998: Chapter 998

Chapter 998:

Taking a deep breath, Harlee lowered her gaze.

“You can’t force love. Stay with your girlfriend, and let’s avoid each other moving forward.”

Rhys chuckled, his eyebrow arching.

“I have a penchant for the forced. It’s surprisingly delightful.”

Harlee was at a loss for words. Though this was the outcome she had hoped for, hearing him say so ignited an urge to strike him.

“I’ve never failed to claim what I want.

Even if she shatters completely, reduced to a hollow fragment of herself, she’ll still belong in my grasp—nowhere else.” Rhys gazed at Harlee, deliberately flaunting the aspect of himself she loathed most.

Harlee clenched her jaw, her fingers instinctively seeking something solid on the desk.

Tilting his head slightly, Rhys continued, “You’re talented, no doubt, but taking Matteo down entirely is beyond you. With my help, though, it’s possible—if you agree to be with me.”

This was his awkward attempt to deliver the carefully prepared gift he had devoted three years to.

“Mr. Green, do you really think this would force me to yield?” Harlee asked.

Settling into his chair, Rhys presented everything he had meticulously planned.

“Not at all.

Consider it my way of knocking on the door.”

He silently wished she’d accept, growing increasingly exasperated after two failed attempts to make her accept the gift.

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At Rhys’ audacious words, Harlee exclaimed, “Mr. Green, how could you be so shameless?”

Harlee stood still, her breath slightly uneven. The temptation of Rhys’ proposal of taking down Matteo was hard to resist.

“As long as being shameless makes you agree to be with me, no worries. I will respect your feelings when we have sex,” Rhys replied with a calm face and a confident tone.

He had considered saying something bolder but refrained, deeming it inappropriate since neither of them had been intimate before.

At his words, Harlee snorted and smirked coldly.

Her presence tonight was to bait Rhys into a relentless pursuit, ensuring Anika’s jealousy boiled over. Therefore, instead of being irritated by his bold remark, she remained composed and took the document from his hand.

“Interesting proposal. I’ll give it some thought,” she said before leaving with an effortless grace.

That evening, Rhys lingered in the study until Anika came looking for him.

During this time, fleeting memories of his time with Harlee brought a faint smile to his lips.

Anika’s knock broke his reverie. Rhys opened his eyes, momentarily revealing irritation, though he quickly concealed it.

He rose and opened the door with a calm demeanor and a caring tone.

“Shouldn’t you rest a little longer?” He preempted her inquiry about his early hours in the study.

“I just woke up,” Anika murmured, leaning into his embrace.

“I can’t be with you today—Eugenia’s here, and I need to host her.”

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