Chapter 672 Partnership Rejected


    "You truly possess keen insight, Miss Lynwood. You only need a small prompt before you get it," Slevin


    said.


    "If that is the case, then you don''t have to worry," Elspeth calmly replied. "I would never work with the


    Damazios. Azure will always maintain a position of neutrality, and we will never engage in this kind of


    conflict."


    However, he shook his head. "No, you will jump in solely because of your lovestruck best friend. If she


    insists on getting together with Hank, you''ll inevitably be biased toward him."


    That rendered her speechless. She had not expected the extent to which word of Yelena''s lovestruck


    tendencies had spread.


    "More importantly, I know that Azure Corporation is not the only party you have influence over. You also


    have the Winthrops, the Jonesons, and even the Weisses. You are the most powerful yer here, so


    the greatest insurance I can have is to get you on my side."


    Elspeth was taken aback to hear Slevin urately spell out the situation with such precision.


    "I can promise you that I will never partner up with the Damazios in any way at all, even if it''s just a


    private partnership," she dered.


    "That promise alone is not sufficient. I insist you be my partner," Slevin emphasized, his


    unwavering determination. "I don''t mean to sound unpleasant, but I must remind you that if you refuse


    to cooperate, I may have no choice but to consider you my primary target."


    Despite his nonchnt tone, Elspeth couldn''t shake the feeling that he could strike any moment,


    intensifying her sense of impending danger.


    Then, his gaze traveled downward until it settled on the slight bump on her belly. "Considering your


    recent pregnancy, I understand if you feel unwell. I''ll refrain from saying anything further that may


    cause you difort," he said, showing a rare moment of empathy.


    Elspeth instinctively wrapped an arm around her stomach and stepped back, a wary expression on her


    face. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. She knew hisment


    was not born out of genuine concern for her pregnancy. Instead, it carried a chilling undertone, hinting


    at unspeakable harm he might inflict upon her child.


    Slevin shrugged in response. "Nothing. Please stop projecting your mindset onto me."


    "I''m warning you, Slevin. I will never work with you. Please do not threaten me again."


    There was no way she could bring herself to coborate with him in their mission to take down the


    Damazios, and furthermore, shecked anypelling reason to do so. Her initial hesitation had not


    stemmed from contemting the feasibility of their partnership but rather from her desire to dissuade


    him from pursuing such ideas altogether. Yet, it had be increasingly apparent that convincing him


    to abandon his ns was an insurmountable task.


    On the contrary, the smile on Slevin''s face only grew brighter instead of fading away. "Am I to take that


    as a rejection, then?"


    "Of course."


    "What a pity," hemented, shaking his head with a tinge of sadness. "Nevertheless, I have no desire


    to be your enemy. I implore you, please reconsider your decision."


    "There is no need."


    "Very well," Slevin replied coldly. "In that case, I shall no longer extend any consideration toward you,


    Miss Elspeth." His smile widened as he continued, "Oh, and the same goes for your friend, Yelena."


    With that, he turned and walked away.


    After the encounter, Elspeth delved into an investigation of the three men who had initiated the entire


    conflict. Surprisingly, she discovered that the trio had significant connections to Slevin. If her intuition


    was correct, Slevin had orchestrated the whole scenario, employing the three men to y antagonistic


    roles while positioning himself as the hero. It became evident that this borate scheme was


    concocted solely to impress her, hoping she would acquiesce to a partnership between them.


    As she quickly unraveled the truth behind the orchestrated events, it became apparent that Slevin had


    not intended to conceal his involvement. The fact that his n had failed only heightened her concerns


    about his cunning nature. If someone like him harbored genuine intentions to target her, she realized


    that he would be a persistent and troublesome presence even if he couldn''t swiftly overpower her.


    Adding to her unease was that she was now pregnant, and the thought of him potentially directing harm


    toward her and her unborn child left her feeling utterly vulnerable and unable to adequately protect her


    baby.


    Meanwhile, Callum noticed Elspeth''s bad mood and asked, "Are you okay?"


    "I''m fine." This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Her reply sounded so perfunctory that he could not help but worry, especially since she looked visibly


    exhausted. "We are married, and we even have a child. I don''t want to see you this tired. You need to


    tell me if there''s anything."


    His words filled her heart with warmth.


    "It''s nothing major. Slevin has been persistently seeking a partnership with me, but I have firmly


    rejected his advances. However, I can''t shake off my concerns that he might resort to some drastic


    measures."


    Callum''s face went dark upon hearing this. "Slevin Damazio?"


    His intrigue grew as he recalled the rumors he had heard about Slevin. ording to hearsay, Slevin


    was regarded as an illegitimate son who had chosen to distance himself from his family, showing no


    interest in their wealth or recognition. The fact that Slevin had approached Elspeth for a partnership


    piqued his curiosity even further.


    She nodded. "Yes. Slevin must harbor a deep-seated grudge against the Damazios, so he seeks my


    assistance in eliminating them."


    "What a joke indeed. Does that guy genuinely believe you would be swayed into partnering with him


    based on mere words alone?"


    Elspeth''s voice conveyed exasperation and helplessness as she spoke, "Of course not. I would never


    agree to work with him so easily, especially considering a partnership would offer no real benefits.


    However, what troubles me is his persistent threats toward Yelena and the baby. Given what I know


    about his personality, I''m genuinely concerned that he might follow through with his words."


    "There''s no need to worry. You have me." Callum massaged her hand and continued, "If something


    does happen, I will never let him go unscathed."


    After careful consideration, he made the decision to confront Slevin directly. He believed that Slevin


    would be reluctant to face him, considering the purpose of their meeting. However, to his surprise,


    Slevin promptly agreed to meet, and the meeting was scheduled forter that evening.


    At 7:15PM, Callum arrived at the designated room they had booked. As he entered, he found Slevin


    seated, casually sipping his tea. Slevin''s lips curved into a warm smile as he noticed his presence.


    "This must be our first meeting, Mr. Winthrop. Hello, my name is Slevin Damazio." Slevin stood up and


    held out a hand.


    "Callum Winthrop." Callum did not shake Slevin''s hand and instead ndly replied with his name.


    Slevin, seemingly unfazed by theck of a handshake, nonchntly withdrew his hand. "What do you


    like to eat, Mr. Winthrop? Here''s the menu. Order anything you like. It''ll be my treat today."


    "Time is precious to both of us, so I won''t waste any." Callum looked Slevin in the eyes. "You should


    know that the purpose of our meeting today is not so I can have dinner with you."


    "Of course. Please, tell me your purpose."