Chapter 6
The tension in the back seat was thick enough to cut with a knife. Neither Laurel nor Roderick said a word, the silence stretching on as if daring one
of them to break it.
Laurel’s gaze drifted to the silver lighter Roderick was casually flipping in his hand. Without missing a beat, she decided to break the silence first. “Mr. Lynch she began, her tone calm but pointed, “how much of what I said earlier do you believe now?”
Roderick turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes meeting hers, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Miss Lambert, you really have a knack for catching people off guard.”
Laurel returned his smirk with a playful smile of her own. “Stick with me, Mr. Lynch. I promise the surprises won’t stop there.”
Roderick’s hand stilled on the lighter, his smile fading into something more serious. “We barely know each other,” he said, his tone dropping. “Why me? What exactly are you after!”
Laurel didn’t flinch. Her voice was steady, her words deliberate. “I want to make a deal with you”
She didn’t sugarcoat it. “George betrayed me. He’s tangled up with my sister. I’m gonna make him pay for it.”
Roderick let out a cold chuckle, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Revenge? That’s it? You t think that’s enough to get me on board!”
Laurel hesitated for a brief moment before deciding to lay her cards on the table. I’m not really a Lambert. I’m adopted. To the outside world, I’m the perfect Lambert heiress.
“But to them? I’m just a pawn. A tool for alliances. Sure, I dodged the marriage with George this time, but next time? Who knows who they’ll sell me off to for their gain.
“I’m done playing their game. If I don’t take control of my own life, they’ll keep controlling it for me.”
Roderick’s tone remained indifferent, almost bored. “And this has what to do with me?”
His apathy caught her off guard for a split second, but she quickly recovered, her voice firm. “I can help you take George down.
“I want out of the Lambert family’s control, and I know I can’t do it alone. Honestly, I’m the one taking the bigger risk here.”
Roderick scoffed, his expression almost mocking. “Risk? Please. I don’t need you to take down George. I can handle him just fine on my own.”
A flicker of memory flashed in Laurel’s mind, sharp and vivid. In her past life, she’d seen Roderick go up against George–and lose everything. His pride, his reputation, even the use of his legs..
George’s ruthlessness wasn’t something Roderick could handle alone. But with her help, she knew they could destroy him.
Her voice softened, her tone calm but persuasive. “I don’t doubt your ability. Mr. Lynch. But George isn’t someone you can underestimate.
“If he were that easy to beat, you wouldn’t have spent years playing the role of a carefree playboy, hiding your true strength. Work with me, and I promise you’ll get the upper hand faster than you think.
in
Roderick’s smirk disappeared completely, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. The playful glint in his eyes darkened, turning sharp and unreadable. Laurel could sense the shift in his mood, but she didn’t stop.
“This isn’t just about revenge,” she continued, her voice steady. “This is about winning. You want George gone. I want my freedom. Together, we can both get what we want.”
Roderick’s gaze turned icy, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. “Have you been digging into me?”
Laurel didn’t flinch. Instead, she met his gaze head–on, her voice steady and firm. “Mr. Lynch, you’ve been in business long enough to know you don’t enter a deal blind. You always do your homework on a potential partner. Am I wrong!”
Her calm response made his eyes narrow slightly. For a moment, his expression flickered with surprise before a dangerous glint settled in his gaze.
She knew too much.
A slow, predatory smile crept across Roderick’s face, but the air in the car had shifted. The relaxed, easygoing playboy was gone.
What remained was a man radiating authority, a force not to be underestimated–a predator surveying the field, ready to strike.
1/3
Dream–Read Romance.
#:17 PM d
Chapter 6
s I’ve underestimated you,” Roderick said slowly, his tone calm but tinged with intrigue,
“Miss Lambert, it seems t
Laurel gave him a faint, knowing smile, leaning forward just enough to close the distance. Her voice was soft, almost teasing. “I take that as a compliment. Don’t worry–we’ve got plenty of time to get better acquainted.”
Roderick’s sharp gaze remained fixed on her, his smirk lingering as he studied the woman before him. She wasn’t the sweet, well–mannered heiress everyone assumed her to be
No, there was a glint in her eyes, a slyness to her smile, that reminded him of a fox about to spring its trap. Interesting. It had been a long time since someone had intrigued him this much.
“So,” he said with a touch of amusement, “what’s your grand plan? How do you see us working together?”
Her smile deepened, a mix of charm and challenge. “Simple,” she said, her tone casual but firm. “You marry me.”
Roderick blinked, his smirk faltering for the briefest second. His brow furrowed as he repeated incredulously, “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” she replied, her tone calm. “Don’t worry–it’s just business. A contract marriage. One year, and then we divorce. Clean break. What do you say?”
Roderick let out a short, disbelieving laugh, leaning back in his seat. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.
- c. Do you e
even hear yourself right now?”
Laurel didn’t flinch. She’d expected him to push back. This idea wasn’t exactly conventional. But marrying Roderick was her best–and fastest–way to escape the Lamberts‘ control.
If she didn’t take control of her fate, they’d just use her for their next power grab. And Roderick? He was the best option she had
“I need to get out of the Lambert family’s clutches” she said firmly. This is the quickest and most effective way to do it. We can sign a prenuptial agreement. One year, no strings attached. Once it’s over, we both walk away, no harm, no foul
Roderick stared at her coldly, his mind drifting for a split second. Everything he’d ever heard about Laurel painted her as the perfect society princess–poised, gentle, the epitome of class, and pathetically devoted to George.
Deep down, Roderick felt a flicker of unease, sharp and undeniable. Laurel wouldn’t have dared to throw out a proposal like this unless she had something solid to back it up.
“Miss Lambert,” he said coldly, his voice dripping with indifference, “your little proposal doesn’t exactly blow me away. Taking George Lynch down. is only a matter of time for me. And time,” he added with a slight smirk, is one thing I’m not short on. Your involvement, frankly, doesn’t change a damn thing
His bluntness would’ve sent most people running, but Laurel had expected this. She couldn’t exactly tell him that without her, he wouldn’t just lose to George–he’d be utterly humiliated
And even if she did, he probably wouldn’t believe her.
you don’t know
Taking a breath, she leaned forward slightly. “Mr. Lynch, you might think you’ve got all the time in the world, but here’s the thing–you George like I do.
“I’ve been handling his affairs for years. I know every move he’s going to make before he even thinks of it. You want an edge? I’m it.”
Her tone was calm, but her words hit hard. Roderick studied her, his expression unreadable. For years, George had been feeding off her work. reaping the benefits of her intelligence while taking all the credit
But now, she was done playing the part of the dutiful ally.
It convince you. There’s something else–something
After a moment, she added, her voice dropping to a near whisper, “But I know that alone won’t c you’ll want to hear.”
Roderick arched an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “Oh Let’s hear it
The truth about that car accident” she said simply.
The atmosphere in the car shifted instantly. The amusement in his eyes vanished, replaced by something dark and lethal
“Stop
op the car,” he said sharply.
The driver hit the brakes, and the car screeched to an abrupt halt. The sudden joh sent Laurel forward, her forehead hitting the buck of the front 2/3
at with a dull thud.
“shit” she hissed under her breath, rubbing her head. Before she could recover, Roderick’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
“Get out,” he said.
She froze, glancing around. They were on a bridge, the city lights glittering in the distance.
“Mr. Lynch, we’re on an overpass,” she said, her tone calm but cautious.
“And” he snapped, his gaze sharp enough to make her stomach twist
“Listen carefully,” he said, his voice cold and deliberate. “I don’t care if you’re trying to escape your family’s bullshit or if George put you up to this. Whatever game you’re playing, drop it. I don’t have time for your schemes”
Instead of flinching, Laurel smiled–a slow, knowing smile that said she wasn’t backing down. She’d gambled, and from the look in his eyes, she knew she’d hit a nerve.
Her gamble had paid off
