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 co?y


    Lucia had called her out to share some news about Alton, awyer 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 somefort, “well keep digging. I refuse to


    believe that Alton is the only one out there who can handle the job”


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    As Megan was about to respond, her phone alerted her to the iing 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 ying 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 ck Bentley parked at the curb.


    Sullivan sat inside, d in a ssic ck 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, ncing her way


    Megan’s smile was faint, almost mncholic “Sullivan, I wasn’t your first choice, was 1? You’re only


    willing to pay me this much because nca 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.