Chapter 397
Chapter 397
Chapter 397 Admiration
Leah left the room after a short interrogation when it became clear that none of them knew who the mastermind was.
She felt fear washing over her when she recalled what had happened in the room moments earlier but it didn't take away from the indescribable pride welling within her.
Her eyes reddened as tears misted her eyes.
She did it with her own power.
Luck perhaps played a massive role but she was no longer a passive bystander.
She wiped her tears away and got ready to leave when the elevator doors opened to reveal Vesper waiting within.
"Mr. Thompson?" This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
What is he doing here?
"Didn't you say you were going to take me to Hendrik to buy the genuine piece tonight?" He took notice of how the woman was soaked to the bone and had his bodyguard lend her his coat.
"What happened there?"
The unfamiliar scent of the man's coat left her a little uncomfortable. She politely returned the article of
clothing. "I'm fine. Thank you."
She left the hotel alongside Vesper and told him everything when they got in the car. "I was kidnapped and made up a lie to escape. I thought the goons noticed when you saved me…"
Leah smiled bitterly. If the goons hadn't noticed Vesper's limousine, her shoddy lie would've come apart at the seams.
Her bravery wouldn't have changed anything if it weren't for her luck.
The man didn't hesitate to hand over a phone when he noticed how lost she looked. "This is the phone you dropped."
"You've done a good job of holding up in the face of danger."
She took it. "Thank you. I thought you hated me. Why did you come to save me…?"
She had repeatedly asked for his cooperation but was ignored.
Vesper smiled faintly. "I had never had a good impression of you until today. You do get smear campaigns online."
"But after getting to know you, I don't think you're that kind of person. I'm not sure whether or not you're telling the truth about the bracelet but I'm still interested in that bet treaty with you."
"I'm impressed by how you escaped from them with just your own wits. I appreciate an empowered
woman!"
He approved of her which took her aback. She smiled. "Thank you!"
I got something good out of a bad situation!
She knew from prior investigations that he had a tragic reason for admiring women with that specific trait.
His wife was a self-reliant and resilient woman but being a young man back then, he often clashed with her.
She eventually passed away from childbirth. He had suddenly become a completely different person within the year.
All the female executives promoted within his company later were competent and hardworking people.
Regret had only set in after he had lost who was dearest to him.
Leah's eyes darkened when her thoughts drifted off to the relationship between her and Han.
He had regretted it back then.
Leah and Vesper soon arrived at a restaurant where they made themselves comfortable in a private booth.
It was dark out. The neon lights added to the mystique of the city.
Leah went to a clothing store a short distance away from the restaurant to buy herself a new set of clothes to change into. She then sent a text to Hendrik. "I'm discussing a possible collaboration with Mr. Thompson. Do you want to bring the bracelet to him? Or should I take him to the villa?"
"I'll be there in half an hour."
Leah slid into her seat opposite Vesper. A fine meal was already laid out on the table.
She once again expressed her gratitude. "Thank you again for coming to save me, Mr. Thompson. I've contacted Hendrick. He'll be here within half an hour."
He frowned. "What relationship do you have with him?"
The name Hendrik had become somewhat of a legend internationally in the past two hours. Those who dabbled in business feared both the man and the Kendrick Group.
It was unbelievable that an ordinary woman like Leah would be involved with such a mysterious person.
She fidgeted awkwardly. "I'm a friend of his. We don't really have anything special going on between us."
"Allow me to demonstrate the project I'm planning, Mr. Thompson…"
She changed the subject to begin discussions.
Vesper appreciated her for being such an independent woman but he wasn't expecting her to come up with anything of interest. That quickly changed. The more she explained, the more interested he got.
"Not bad. I look forward to the results in two years!" He couldn't help but praise her.
His satisfaction relieved her. "You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Thompson. I won't let you down!"
Leah successfully got the Thompson family's unused piece of land on West Street after the contracts were signed.
Hendrick came in with the bracelet in hand and handed over a beautiful wooden gift box.
"I'm here with what you want, Mr. Thompson."
Vesper turned to look at Hendrick who was dressed from head to toe. Not a single patch of skin could be seen. "I'll be taking my leave now."
He neither worshiped him nor asked questions.
That was how the Thompson family worked. They sucked up to no one and stood firm in the business world on their own merits.
Leah was rereading the contract over and over again. Her eyes shone under the crystal chandelier.
She could finally shut the old men from the White Group up with this!
She coughed lightly in her excitement.
She could feel a headache coming on. Perhaps it was because she had cold water dumped all over her earlier.
Han could see how sick she was and held her hand. "Go home. Nothing's going to happen to you with me around."
Leah knew she couldn't hide from him. "I was lucky Mr. Thompson remembered the bracelet and came to save me…"
The two returned to the car. Han looked out the window and said, "My men would've come for you even if he didn't."
"They were held back and didn't reach you in time."
He didn't know why he was explaining this to her. Her tone made him feel stuffy.
"..." She didn't answer.
The silence was deafening.
He frowned, only to see her collapse into him.
He could see the abnormal flush on her face despite the dim street lamps lighting the way.
He reached up and caressed her bare forehead and felt his heart drop.
"To the hospital!"