Professor Smith rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, his voice full of concern.
“This isn’t a burden, Celeste. We’re friends–and soon, collaborators. Whatever you need, we’re here for you.”
As he spoke, he sent a message from his phone. Moments later, a group of bodyguards emerged from nearby and
surrounded Lucian.
“Leave. Miss Adams doesn’t want to see you. If you continue to bother her, this is just a taste of what you’ll face next
time.”
With a subtle signal from the professor, the guards raised their guns in unison, all pointed straight at Lucian.
His face turned pale, almost ghost–like. There was nothing he could do.
This wasn’t his turf–it was a foreign country, and no matter how powerful he thought he was, he wasn’t bulletproof.
Left with no choice, Lucian backed off, helplessly watching Celeste walk away.
He gazed deeply at her retreating figure, waves of anguish crashing over his heart.
He had only hurt her because of a misunderstanding–he’d never meant to. If he could take it all back, he would. Why
couldn’t she just give him one more chance?
Was it really that hard to forgive him?
Lucian felt utterly defeated, bitterness swallowing him whole.
His eyes narrowed as they followed the young man beside her.
Was it because of him? Was that why she was being so cold? Had she already moved on?
Was she truly caring this much about a guy she’d barely met?
If he couldn’t take her away, maybe he could make that guy disappear.
Lucian finally tore his eyes away, climbed into the car under the watchful stares of the guards, and headed back to his
hotel.
For two full days, the guards kept close watch over him, making sure he had no opportunity to approach Celeste again.
And just as they hoped, Lucian didn’t leave the hotel. Not once.
But on the third day, when the guards‘ attention began to slip, he made his move. He didn’t go looking for Celeste.
Instead, he went straight to Damon’s university.
Damon had just left the lab when Lucian stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
“You’re Damon Rivera, right? I heard your background’s pretty average. It couldn’t have been easy for you to land a spot here. I’ll make you a deal–take this money and walk away from Celeste. Permanently.”
Damon didn’t even flinch. He stared at Lucian with the same unreadable expression and replied without hesitation, “No.”
He turned to leave, choosing another direction, but Lucian blocked him again.
Chapter 22
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“Not enough? Name your price. Whatever it is, I can make it happen. Just get away from her. If not, your family back home might find life… unpleasant.”
“Do whatever you want.” Damon’s face didn’t change in the slightest. “If you really manage to touch my family, I’ll be impressed.”
Unbeknownst to Lucian, Damon’s family–while appearing ordinary–were all confidential researchers working on top–secret government projects.
The Riveras had always been focused on science and national research. Damon was even more extreme.
Cold and calculating by nature, he viewed most things through a lens of curiosity and dissection. The only reason he’d come to study abroad was because this project had intrigued him.
He wasn’t short on money. In fact, if he ever chose to sell even a portion of his research, he’d be set for life.
But he wasn’t interested.
Whatever Lucian did to his family–it made no difference to Damon.
He stepped to the side again, trying to leave.
Lucian’s eyes darkened. How could someone remain so unmoved? So… unreachable?
Just as Lucian was about to speak again, Celeste came rushing over, her brows furrowed tight. She immediately stepped in front of Damon, shielding him, eyes fixed on Lucian in alarm.
“What are you doing here? What–are you going to take your frustration out on him now?”
Lucian’s voice was tinged with disbelief. “Is that really how low you think of me? You think I’m violent like that?”
“Maybe you weren’t, once. But ever since Vanessa came into the picture, how many times have you hurt me, Lucian?”
She didn’t dare drop her guard. Not with Damon here. Not when she feared he might become the next target.
Because Lucian only ever needed one excuse to hurt someone.
At her reaction, Lucian felt like he’d plunged into an icy abyss.
She was actually afraid of him? And keeping her guard up–like he was the enemy?
Chapter 22
