Chapter 12
“Dr. Jones, what a coincidence,” Tobias said, his voice deep and steady.
“Yeah, what a coincidence,” Mandy smiled. “What brings you here?”
“Just taking care of some business,” he replied smoothly. “And you?”
“Just here for the food,” Mandy said cheerfully. “A friend got some free buffet vouchers. Otherwise, I’d never be able to afford this feast.”
Tobias let out a soft, mocking chuckle.
Mandy, not picking up on the complexity of his reaction, added, “I’m serious, Mr. Lancaster. I’m not joking.
Before he could respond, Mandy’s phone rang. It was a call from Fiona, no doubt to hurry her along. “Mr. Lancaster, I have to go. My friend’s waiting.”
Mandy turned and hurried toward the elevator, answering the call as she walked. Then she found it was not Fiona but Emma. She softened her voice. “I’m here, on my way up. Start eating without me. Love you…”
Yaxley, who had no idea about Mandy’s recent entanglements, turned to Tobias. “Dr. Jones always seems so cool and capable. I didn’t know she had this softer side. She must be talking to her boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Tobias sneered, a cold smile playing on his lips.
“Isn’t she?” Yaxley asked, puzzled.
Tobias thought of Barry’s reputation for never dating anyone for too long and sneered in his mind, ‘Becoming Barry’s girlfriend isn’t easy.
A sharply dressed man approached Tobias. It was Rowan Ellis, Richard’s trusted assistant. With a respectful nod, Rowan said, “Mr. Lambert, your father’s waiting for you in his office.”
Tobias followed Rowan to the exclusive VIP elevator, reserved only for Richard. They ascended to the 52nd floor, where Richard’s office sat. The space was a marvel, with floor–to–ceiling windows on three sides offering a breathtaking view of the sprawling city below.
When Tobias entered, Richard was standing by the windows, his back to the door, leaning on his cane. Despite his age–over seventy–he stood as straight as a young man, his presence as commanding as ever.
“Did you call me here just to enjoy the view?” Tobias asked, his voice light but with a hint of curiosity.
Richard turned, his face softening into a rare, gentle smile. “What? You don’t like it?”
Tobias chuckled. “No, it’s not that. I just didn’t want to waste your time.”
The Moonspire Hotel was just one of the many business ventures under the Lambert Group. Besides that, the Lambert Group had interests in the automotive, racing, retail, jewelry, and entertainment industries. Richard had to oversee each of these sectors, so time was precious.
Richard sighed, his expression turning serious. “Time is something I don’t have much of left.”
Tobias frowned. “Don’t talk like that.”
Richard shook his head, dismissing the concern. “Alright, let’s get down to business. Tobias, I had planned to leave you enough money to live comfortably if your legs couldn’t heal.
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Sat, B Mar M
Chapter 12
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“But now that you’re on your feet again, I want you to start taking over the Lambert Group. We’ll begin with the Moonspire Hotel”
Tobias hesitated, though he could see hope in Richard’s eyes. “Dad, you know I’m not interested in business. And I’m still in the military. I haven’t left the service yet.”
Richard’s face darkened, his tone turning stern. “You said you’d retire after this mission. That’s why I didn’t bring up Philip. Are you planning to keep taking on missions? Are you determined to die on one? Philip’s your superior; I’ll talk to him now.”
Tobias felt a pang of guilt when Richard was reaching for his phone. “Dad, give me some time to think about it.”
Richard’s expression softened, his grip tightening on Tobias’s shoulder. “I’m not forcing you, son. Just understand, having you late in life wasn’t easy. The thought of losing you is unbearable.”
Tobias pressed his lips together tightly and nodded, his voice low. “I understand.”
Richard’s grip tightened. “I’m getting old, and my time is running out. Your sister and cousins can’t support the Lambert Group alone. With over a million employees, what will they do without a proper leader? Tobias, they need you. The Lambert Group needs you.”
Tobias had always chosen the military to avoid the family’s power struggles. But Richard was right. Without a leader, millions would face unemployment. For their sake, he had to step up.
Seeing the determination in Tobias’s eyes, Richard knew he had made up his mind. He smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Haven’t eaten yet? Let’s have a father–son meal. Our hotel’s buffet is the best in Westbay.”
Without waiting for a response, Richard guided Tobias out of the office and toward the elevator, heading for the 36th–floor buffet restaurant,
In the elevator, Richard said, “I never expected that young doctor to have such incredible skills. I’ve seen so many doctors, but none could help your legs. Yet she brought feeling back to your leg with just a few needles. It’s truly remarkable.”
Tobias sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Yes, it really is remarkable.”
Unaware of the hidden meaning in Tobias’s words, Richard continued, “Tobias, see when it would be convenient to set up a meeting with her. I want to thank her in person.”
Tobias frowned, his expression unreadable, “We’ll see about that.”
As the elevator doors opened, Richard’s phone buzzed to life. He stepped out, phone pressed to his ear, while Tobias trailed behind.
Right then, a tiny, adorable girl barreled into Tobias, her small frame colliding with his legs.
She looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity, and her face flushed a delicate pink as she gazed at Tobias’s sharp features. “Mister, you’re so handsome,” she murmured shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tobias had only seen Emma once from a distance, but the little girl was unmistakable. Her features were so distinctive that he instantly recognized her as the child his wife had with another man.
His expression hardened, and he gently pushed her away. “Go away,” he said coldly, his voice sharp.
Emma was used to people adoring her cute looks, but Tobias’s reaction was something she hadn’t encountered before. Her eyes widened in surprise, and then her bottom lip trembled.
“Mister, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you. I just wasn’t careful,” she explained, her voice quivering with hurt.
But Tobias wasn’t in the mood for explanations. “I said go away,” he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
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Chapter 12
Emma’s eyes filled with tears, and she scrambled away, her tiny footsteps echoing down the hallway
Just as she disappeared around the corner, Richard finished his call and turned back to Tobias
He hadn’t seen the exchange between Tobias and Emma, and all he noticed was the little girl running wway from his son The scene looked so sweet and innocent to him. With a warm smile, he said, “You seem to like her, don’t you?
Tobias’s mood was already foul, and Richard’s words only made it worse. He had no idea what Richard was talking dre “Like what?” he snapped, his irritation barely contained.
Richard’s eyes narrowed, thinking Tobias was pretending not to understand. “The child, of course he said, his tote growing more impatient. “You like her, don’t you?”
Tobias was silent for a moment, his mind racing. Like a child who wasn’t even his? The thought was absurd.
Seeing Tobias’s silence as agreement, Richard felt energized and said, “Have a child with Penny. Both of you have the looks. Your kid would definitely be even more attractive than that kid”
Without a word, Tobias turned his wheelchair around, heading straight for the elevator
“Where are you going?” Richard demanded, grabbing the wheelchair to stop him.
Tobias’s eyes turned cold and distant. “I can’t eat like this,” he said, his voice flat and emotionless.
But Richard wasn’t about to let him off that easily. “Come on, don’t say that, he insisted, pushing Tobias back towards the dining room with a determined smile.
From behind a decorative screen, Emma watched Richard and Tobias walk away, deep in thought. Suddenly, she was lifted from behind. She turned her head and exclaimed excitedly, “Mommy!”
Mandy’s voice was a mix of scolding and affection. “I told you to wait by the restroom. Why did you run off? If you got lost, I’d be frantic.”
In her tiny, excited voice, Emma replied, “Mommy, I just saw an incredibly handsome man.”
Thanks to Fiona’s influence, Emma had always been a fan of good looks. She was completely charmed by handsome guys. No doubt she’d seen someone attractive and run over.
To keep her from wandering off again, Mandy tried to scare her a little. “These days, kidnappers know kids like you love handsome men. They make themselves look really good just to lure you in and then take you away?
Emma wasn’t buying it. “You’re lying.”
Mandy put on her most serious face. “I’m not lying. I’m telling the truth.”
Emma tilted her head, thinking for a moment, and then declared mysteriously, “Anyway, that handsome man wasn’t a kidnapper.”
Mandy raised an eyebrow. “How do you know he wasn’t?”
Emma just smiled and said, “I won’t tell you.”
Since Emma didn’t take her advice, Mandy decided to change the subject. “What else do you want to eat? Let’s go get it.”
Emma’s eyes lit up. “Cake. Chocolate cake.”
As Mandy led Emma to get some cake, Richard was leisurely pushing Tobias around the buffet area, chatting about family while they looked for something tasty.
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7:44 Sat, 8 Mar
Chapter 12
“Did you get to visit Penny’s studio last time you mentioned it?” Richard asked.
Tobias, however, wasn’t paying attention. His mind was on the unexpected encounter with Emma. If that little girl’s here, does that mean my dear wife’s here too?‘ he thought and glanced around, trying to spot them.
Richard noticed Tobias’s searching gaze and was about to ask what he was looking for when he saw Mandy walking toward them, holding Emma’s hand. He blinked in surprise. “Penny??”
Tobias followed Richard’s gaze…
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