Chapter 1177



Later that evening, Holley arrived back at Vera Villas.

She stepped into the elevator and tapped the button for her floor. However, just as the doors started to glide shut, a hand thrust forward, halting the doors’ closure and prying them back open.

Holley’s gaze lifted.

The moment she recognized the figure stepping into the elevator, her expression changed.

“You… You…” Holley’s eyes flared wide with shock.

“Ms. Lewis, you seem rather startled to see me,” Lamont said with a faint smile.

“What… What are you doing here? Have you lost your senses? What if someone spots you?” Holley fought to steady the swell of anxiety and fear bubbling inside her, striving to maintain a facade of calm. After all, she knew she wasn’t supposed to be aware that Lamont had been hunted and had fled.

Taking a slow breath, she masked her unease with irritation. “I’ve told you before—two million isn’t pocket change. No matter how much you hound me, I can’t magic it up in three days.”

Lamont didn’t say anything, letting out only a sharp, icy chuckle.

When the elevator halted at the thirty-seventh floor, he stepped out first, then glanced back at Holley, still rooted inside. “Not coming out?”

Holley’s pulse raced. After a fleeting hesitation, she reluctantly followed him out.

Lamont spoke up. “We’ve known each other for ages—practically old friends. But I’ve never once stepped foot in your place, Ms. Lewis. Now that I’m right here at your door, you’re not going to ask me in for a quick visit?”

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: ⲅⲁⳑ𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫺𝖼𝗈𝗆 Holley’s face twitched faintly at his words. It was late, and she was alone. Inviting Lamont into her place felt inappropriate and dangerous. Who could predict what he might try once he was alone with her?

Without a second thought, Holley shot back, “It’s hardly proper for a man and a woman to be alone together inside a room this late. If you’ve got something to say, say it here.”

Lamont said, “I’m standing at your doorstep, and you’re still shutting me out? Fine then. I was about to discuss that two million with you, but since you’re playing it so distant, forget it. I’ll just take the matter up with Dr. Wright instead.” With that, he jabbed the elevator button.

“Wait!” Holley had no choice but to call out to him to stop him. Though every fiber of her screamed against it, she had no option but to let him go inside her place.

As he stepped inside, Lamont’s eyes roamed over Holley’s apartment, taking in every detail with a deliberate, calculating stare before flashing a sly grin. “I’m well aware of what these Vera Villas properties go for. Rumor has it they started at…”

“Twelve grand per square meter. This place has to be at least a hundred square meters—quick math puts it over ten million! You’re living in a spot worth that kind of money, yet you refuse to give me two million. That’s hardly right, Ms. Lewis.”

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