Chapter 41

Chapter 41

sty little coffee shop when her phone buzzed with a notification Sullivan had transfered a

Megan was sitting across from Lucia in a coży

Lucia had called her out to share some news about Alton, a lawyer who had apparently gone off the grid to provide legal aid to an Indigenous tribe With a heavy heart and a touch of disbelief, Lucia recounted the details, her voice betraying a mix of concern and frustration

Lucra took a big gulp of her coffee and grimaced. She had never developed a taste for this pretentious brew.

“You know, Megan,” Lucia said softly, trying to offer some comfort, “well keep digging. I refuse to believe that Alton is the only one out there who can handle the job”

As Megan was about to respond, her phone alerted her to the incoming transfer: $200,000 from Sullivan. Her expression wavered, catching Lucia’s attention.

“What’s got you looking like you’ve seen a ghost? Lucia leaned in, nosy as ever.

“Oh, it’s from Sullivan, that jackass!” Lucia’s eyes widened at the amount. “What’s he playing at? Is he expecting a night in your bed for this? I knew it–men are all the same, driven by their baser instincts”

Megan didn’t respond; instead, she pocketed her phone, her mood tuming somber.

“You know, we could use that money.” Lucia suggested, half–joking.

Megan offered a wry smile. “Sullivan’s money isn’t that easy to take.”

Lucia cursed under her breath a few more times before she had to leave for an engagement. Despite her distaste for the coffee, she finished every drop. It was a habit ingrained in her from childhood.

Once alone. Megan prepared to leave, but her phone chimed again. This time, it was a message from Paxton, saying he would arrive in Borough City on Saturday and was eager to see her.

A smile unwittingly crossed her lips as she texted back, then headed to her job at Regal Bolt.

After work, close to 11 p.m., Megan stepped out into the brisk autumn night, wrapping her thin coat tighter around her. She paused when she noticed a sleek black Bentley parked at the curb.

Sullivan sat inside, clad in a classic black and white suit, smoking.

Feeling her gaze upon him, he looked over

Under the neon glow, their silent exchange felt like a reunion of long–lost acquaintances.

Eventually, Sullivan stubbed out his cigarette and stepped out to open the passenger door for her. “Let’s talk in the car.”

Megan knew he wanted something from her and approached the vehicle, settling into the seat under his watchful eye.

As Sullivan got back in and buckled up, he casually asked, “Hungry? Fancy grabbing a bite?”

Megan wasn’t fooled by his unusual gentleness. “Let’s just talk here,” she said, her voice steady.

With a flick of his wrist, Sullivan lit another cigarette, letting the smoke fill the car. Holding the cigarette between his fingers, he spoke with a hint of gravity, “Mrs. Lambert is quite fond of you. She’s hoping you could help with the arrangements for tomorrow night’s banquet

Megan remained silent.

“What’s wrong? You don’t want to?” Sullivan asked, glancing her way

Megan’s smile was faint, almost melancholic “Sullivan, I wasn’t your first choice, was 1? You’re only willing to pay me this much because Blanca couldn’t cut it, right?”

Surprised by her acuity. Sullivan remained silent.

Megan’s tone grew even more detached. “The Daybreak Corp. project is worth billions. $200,000 is too little. I want $2 million.” Sullivan’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford to pay, it wasn’t that he was stingy with women. But he was a businessman, and businessmen strive for maximum profit–even if the women question was his own wife.