Jason eyed Lara and understood what Meg was planning.Frank was his brother from another mother, so he was not about to impose and left with Meg, leaving just Frank and Lara in the room.Lara took a sip of her drink and suddenly felt much better, even boldly asking, "Where have you been, Lugh? Why didn't you call?""Where else could I be?" Frank smiled. "I had things to sort out, but I couldn't let you know or there'd be trouble."Lara pouted. "What trouble? Are you a secret agent or something?""You got that right. What I'm doing is no different from that.""Really?!"Lara sprang up, wobbling away. "I need the ladies' room… Don't leave, wait for me."As she turned, she lost her footing and almost fell headfirst, but Frank caught her quickly, saving her from some serious trouble.Still, before he could withdraw his hand, Lara caught him, purring, "Don't you feel good?""What's gotten into you?"Frank chuckled, curious as to why the usually haughty Lara was behaving like this
Meg sighed. "Mr. Chand, just look at your friend—who wouldn't be interested after just a look? Just be glad that I'm nice. Anyone else in my place would be goading Lugh into cutting ties with you."Jason snorted, waving her off. "Not gonna happen. I know the man! He may appear haughty, but he's also very loyal—heck, he knows that you're up to your little schemes when you come up to him, but he never rejects you because you mean no harm. If anything, he's going all out to help you."Meg nodded—Jason was right about that.Just take today for starters—what bigwig would have come running just because she called? But Frank did, proving that her judgment was correct.Just then, the valet ran inside."Why aren't you outside? What are you doing here?" Meg scowled."Trouble, Ms. Quill!" the valet exclaimed nonetheless. "There are thugs everywhere, demanding that lady Mr. Frankton brought, but she's out jogging with the bouncers, so they're now breaking everything!"Even as he finished,
On top of that, Frank was drop dead handsome.And considering that Alda's fiance was handsome, good at fighting, and a close friend of Jason's, Frank was definitely the fiance in question!"Apologies, sir." The thug promptly bowed his head. "But Golden Lily is at fault here..."Frank smirked, not about to be reasonable with mere thugs. "Really? Then you should be calling the cops. Why would you vandalize this place instead? Moreover, I overheard you saying that you want her!""Fine. I can't argue with that!" The thug threw his hands up. "But we'll be back when you're not around. Just you wait, Meg Quill! We'll be back! Let's go!"As the thug left with his lackeys, Meg quickly told Frank, "Sorry for being a bother, Mr. Frankton."Frank shook his head. "It's fine. What happened here?"Meg told him about how that geezer from earlier harassed Sadie."So it's their fault in the first place despite all that hollering." Frank turned to Jason, clearly ready to get to the root of the pr
"Look, Ms. Quill," Jason teased. "Even your colleague is laughing."Meg remained perfectly composed—being human meant having desire and not worrying about ruining one's image."Quit laughing. Drive safe now." Meg rolled her eyes at the valet, who smiled and nodded before quickly driving away.Meg returned to the lobby and arranged for the staff to clean up the mess before heading upstairs.She then entered the private room and saw that it was not just Frank and Lara inside—Jouri Yelin was there too, sitting primly on the couch with them!"When did you get here, Ms. Yelin?" Meg asked.Jouri smirked. "What, am I not supposed to be here?"Meg quickly shook her head. "Of course not. You're always welcome here!"Jouri ignored her, however, and tapped her fingers on the paper on the table. "Are you signing it or not?"Frank chuckled coolly but otherwise ignored her."What's this?"Meg walked up, and saw that it was Golden Lily's deed!So that was why the owner was insistent on gi
Jouri shook her head. "I'm sorry, but that's all I know. You'd have to ask someone else for more details."And with those words, Jouri got up and strode off, leaving Frank utterly exasperated.To think that he had so easily fallen for Jouri's trick despite all his sharp wit.Still, it was understandable. Jouri actually seemed like she had nothing to do in the grand scheme of things, so Frank really had to do his own investigating.Even as Frank pondered, Sally York strode in right after Jouri left.She was not alone, as Sylvie Wal, Alda Ingram, Ida Cahn, Sadie Godot, and her brother Rain Godot entered after her.Sally then said, "I heard you bought this place, handsome. I guess everyone can move here too, make it your new base."Frank frowned. "And how did you find out?"Sally grinned smugly. "Who do you think I am? Would I not be aware of anything happening in this world? Moreover, it works for everyone if they stay here, so just hear me out for once—stay put instead of gettin
Kiki, the cute but silly front desk receptionist, raised her hand. "Mr. Frankton? May I speak to you for a moment?""Sure."Meg rolled her eyes at her—everyone was just having fun, but this young lady really could not read the room. Why did she even hire her?"It's alright. Just tell me," Frank spoke up, bailing Kiki out."Well, we don't have much money left. Moreover, after the first floor vault got vandalized, we'd run out of money in just three days.""What?!" Meg scowled. "No way—I remember us having a few million on our ledgers!"Kiki flashed a pained smile. "The boss dropped by in the afternoon and took everything. We must now come up with a plan to replenish our money, or it's really over for us."Everyone was merely chuckling in exasperation instead of being worried, however.After all, Frank just needed Alda's help, and Golden Lily's financial issues would be resolved. What was there to worry about?"Understood." Frank nodded. "The money will be wired by tomorrow morn
The youth asked, "Why are you closing?"The valet turned to see that the youth was fashionable, sporting trendy brands, a beanie, and a pair of headphones."Sorry, sir. It's late now—you should come again tomorrow."The valet had actually encountered plenty of others who came during closing hours, and as he spoke, he offered the youth a discount voucher. "You'll have a 20% discount with this."The youth did not take it, however, even pushing it away. "Do I look like I'm short on money? I only came because I heard that Golden Lily closes late, but you're closing already. Don't you think that the management should answer for this?"The valet was left a little annoyed, but working in the service industry meant that he must not step on anyone's toes.Instead, he smiled. "I'm sorry, sir—we are in the wrong here, but everyone has left and can't be of service. Please come again tomorrow. Maybe come early too, and we'll offer you our best service."The youth could certainly understand t
Sadie and Ida arrived just then as well, and Frank said, "Perfect timing. Ida, take her to your room and watch her. Sadie, you'll take over the night shift.""Okay."Both women promptly did as they were told, while Frank headed to the front desk to check the cameras.It turned out that the cameras outside were all destroyed too, with pebbles that shot straight at them!Frank smirked—it seemed like this was going to be a long night.-Meanwhile, in the accounting room on the top floor, the youth who was turned away by the valet before leapt in through the window.He headed straight to the safe deposit box and whipped out a white card, then swiped it and opened the box instantly.Then, he opened his backpack and shoved the Golden Lily ledger inside, smirking. "How dare you refuse me! Well, you're all going to apologize, or you're not getting the ledger back!"With his prize safely tucked inside his backpack, he fled through the window.The ledger was only found stolen the next