Chapter 68
reston’s gaze hardened as he folded the document with a deliberate finality and fixed Georgia with a cold, unyielding stare. “Well, since you’re so eager to get back to work, then work. Transfer a million dollars to my account within a month, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, no matter where you run, it’ll be pointless.”
Georgia met his icy tone with quiet resolve. “Mr. Hill, you’re right. I still owe you that million. You ordered me to repay it within a month.” Her voice was steady, stripped of any denial. “Then, Mr. Hill, I’ll go to work now.”
Preston’s expression darkened, his eyes sharpening into blades of frost as he studied her. The fact that she wanted to pay off her debt so quickly, to break free from him, stabbed him in a way he barely understood. Why did she want to escape so desperately?
For Mason?
A tempest of conflicting emotions churned inside him–rage, jealousy, heartbreak–each one clawing for dominance. Yet Preston barely noticed the turmoil. All he knew was that Georgia’s calm defiance ignited a fire of fury deep within him.
She’s far too sick to be pushing herself like this, Luca’s voice echoed sharply in Preston’s mind.
“I know,” Preston muttered, voice tight.
After watching Georgia’s frail figure disappear down the hospital corridor, Preston pulled out his phone and dialed swiftly. “Charlotte,” he said grimly, “that damn woman’s about to head to work, Lorenzo has sleeping pills–when she arrives, make sure she takes them.”
Charlotte sounded puzzled. “Mr. Hill, who are you talking about?”
“Georgia,” he spat out the name like a curse.
Her voice softened with concem. “Is it really right to give her sleeping pills for no reason?”
Preston’s temper flared, a low roar of frustration. “What about her going to work with a fever? What do you think about that?”
Charlotte sighed, understanding the predicament. “Okay, when Georgia gets here, I’ll slip the sleeping pills into her warm water and ask her to drink.”
Preston’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “And don’t assign her any tasks.”
He wouldn’t allow her to repay that debt and vanish from his grasp so easily.
Charlotte hesitated. “I understand, but she works in Public Relations. I can’t just let her sit idle–people will talk, and rumors will spread.”
“Fire the gossipers,” Preston snapped. “Do you need me to teach you how to do that?”
Charlotte was silent. As the club’s general manager, she knew Preston’s word was law–unyielding and absolute.
She ended the call and swiftly left her office, heading toward the club’s entrance.
Georgia had just stepped out of the car when Charlotte intercepted her, “Georgia, come to my office.”
Wordlessly, Georgia followed.
Charlotte’s hands trembled slightly as she reached for a glass. That simple phrase “come to my office“-had become an ominous refrain she dreaded hearing.
“Sit down,” Charlotte said, her voice steady though her heart raced.
She filled a cup with warm water, slipping half a sleeping pill inside. She stirred it patiently, waiting until the pill nearly dissolved before adding cold water, carefully masking the bitter truth.
Handing the glass over, Charlotte forced a smile.
“Thank you, Charlotte,” Georgia said softly. Since waking in the hospital, thirst clung to her like a shadow. The water felt like a balm. I’ve been so thirsty. You’re so kind.”
Charlotte stayed back, her smile strained, thoughts bitter. Georgia, don’t be so naive. Alpha Preston wants you drugged. I mean no harm, but I’m just his instrument.
Georgia drained the glass, then looked up, voice hopeful. “Can I have some more?”
“Of course.” Charlotte quickly refilled the cup.
Georgia drank two glasses in quick succession, the dryness in her throat easing slightly.
“So, Charlotte,” Georgia ventured, “do you have any tasks for me?”
“No,” Charlotte answered, biting back frustration. Even if I did, I wouldn’t dare give them to you. Preston said no assignments.
Though sympathy stirred within her, Charlotte knew better than to defy Preston’s ruthless commands. She’d followed his lead for years and understood his iron will all too well.
Georgia’s voice dropped, the edge of weariness creeping in. “Charlotte… why do I feel so sleepy?”
“That’s because you’re sick,” Charlotte said gently, brushing a tentative hand across Georgia’s forehead. “You need rest, maybe see a doctor. Coming here won’t help. I have no work for you right now–it would be a waste of your energy. Why not lie down and take a nap?”
Georgia shook her head, determination flickering. “But Mr. Hill said I have to pay back a million dollars in a month. I’ll just go wash my face.”
Even as she spoke, her thoughts tongled and fuzzy; exhaustion was setting in like a slow poison. Still, she refused to surrender.
Charlotte’s mind raced. She understood Preston’s cruel game now–he expected Georgia to raise an impossible sum in an impossible time. He had no intention of letting her succeed.
Georgia staggered to her feet, swaying like a fragile reed in a harsh wind, then sank back down, her head lolling onto the
table.
Charlotte moved quickly, easing her onto the sofa and pulling a blanket from the closet. This was where Charlotte herself n apped when exhaustion overwhelmed her.
She bent low, tucking Georgia in gently, trying to offer a semblance of comfort in a cold world.
Fifteen minutes later, the office door swung open abruptly. Charlotte sprang to her feet.
“Mr. Hill. Mr. Malcolm.”
Preston entered with his usual steely presence. “Simon, put Georgia on a drip,” he ordered without hesitation.
