Chapter 166
Chapter 168
“Uncle Raymond.” Lyra crossed her arms and leaned back with a casual sneer.
“Truth be told, I don’t believe in anything but cold, hard cash,” she said.
“Speaking of which, how about the Cheval Blanc Hotel paperwork? Let’s skip the drama. Why don’t you have Alex sign and hand it over p>
Raymond went deathly pale.
Cheval Blanc had always been his golden goose-he’d never let go of that gem without a fight.
But he forced a thin, unconvincing smile. “My lawyers are handling it,” he lied, fishing for time. In truth, he’d already told his bodyguards: if Alex refuses to cooperate, use force-hostage, murder, whatever it takes to cure him.
Yet, the Plan needed to be changed, everyone suddenly realize Alex was no easy mark.
One slap could kill a man, and the bodyguards seemed hesitant to test him again. Raymond realized he’d have to shift gears before things turned ugly.
“Fine,” he spat, snatching his phone and barking at his legal team through a video call, “Draft the transfer papers for Cheval Blanc immediately p>
“Why so sudden p>
“Just fucking do it p>
“Yes, sir,” came the reply. “We’ll need about twenty minutes p>
Suddenly, Raymond coughed, crimson droplets staining his lips.
Pain coursed through him like wildfire, and his vision blurred. Even two minutes seemed too long now.
“Just do it now!” he roared in desperation.
“But, sir,” his attorney stammered, “forcing the transfer so quickly might p>
“Just do it!” Raymond’s voice cracked as he retched up more blood.
All at once, panic clenched his heart. When you’re staring death in the face, money and power become meaningless.
A soft ping on his smartwatch signaled the document’s arrival.
A shimmering 3D hologram of the opulent Cheval Blanc Hotel sprang up.
Raymond’s trembling hands hovered over the device, his eyes clouded with agony and regret.
“Sign here, Alex,” he rasped, barely able to lift his head. “Take the hotel… just… please… help p>
A bodyguard lurched forward to hold him upright.
Lyra watched coldly, remembering all the times she’d been desperate and alone, with no one offering sympathy.
She wasn’t about to shed tears for Raymond now.
“Alex,” Lyra said flatly, “since Uncle Raymond is suddenly being so generous, why not help him? Take Cheval Blanc as a down payment, then secure that herb from him later p>
Chapter 168
Alex nodded, barely interested in the property but fully aware he needed Raymond alive to get that crucial herb. With measured calm, he pulled a small bottle from his pocket and shook out a single pill. “This is an antidote to a thousand poisons,” he said, tossing it to Raymond.
Raymond fumbled with shaking hands, dropping the pill in the dust.
In sheer terror, he clawed at the ground, retrieved the pill, and popped it into his mouth-dirt and all.
A bone-deep chill surged through him, heutralizing the venom raging in his veins. Alex followed up with another small pill.
“This one will help heal your body,” he said quietly. The bodyguard took it and gently fed it to Raymond.
Warmth spread through his limbs, easing the agony.
Raymond gaped at Alex in disbelief. “It’s working,” he whispered, pressing a hand
to his chest where the searing pain had been just moments before.
His entire body trembled with relief, finally free from the grip of death.
Lyra smirked. “So, Uncle Raymond, pretty impressed by Alex’s skills p>
Raymond swallowed hard, eyeing Alex with newfound awe. “What… what was in those pills? Give me more. Whatever you want, I’ll pay it p>
Alex’s expression turned to cool detachment. “They’re called Panacea Pills, and the recipe is secret. Ingredients are so rare I only had one batch. If you can track down certain herbs for me I could make more p>
“Could you sell me the recipe p>
“I told you, the prescription is confidential. There’s no way I’m selling it,” Alex stated firmly.
Then, after a brief pause, he continued, “Of course, if you can find me another rare herb, I’ll give you the prescription for the Panacea Pill. Let’s barter p>
“Sure. Tell me what kind of herb you need,” Raymond replied.
“Ambrosia Bloom,” Alex said.
Raymond’s eyes widened. “That’s extremely rare. I’ve never even seen a picture
of it. Any other options p>
“Moonshade Petal,” Alex offered.
Raymond shook his head, looking perplexed. “I’ve never heard of it p>
“How about Phoenix Fern?” Alex prompted.
Raymond’s reluctance was obvious as he shrugged helplessly. “Still no clue. I’ve never heard of that one either, let alone where to find it p>
“Otherwise, forget it p>
Raymond’s shoulders slumped, the fire in his eyes flickering with desperation. He’d never even heard of those rare plants.
But Lyra cut in, gently rubbing her stomach. “First things first. Uncle Raymond promised to get Alex a five-hundred-year-old Wild American Ginseng. We’ll worry about exotic herbs later p>
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Chapter 168
She paused, quirking an eyebrow. “Besides, I’m starving. Let’s celebrate at the Cheval Blanc Restaurant. You just transferred the whole hotel to Alex; I think it’s time he met the executive team p>
Rayinond’s heart sank.
Cheval Blanc was the crown jewel of his empire, and he’d just signed it away. But he had made a deal. He couldn’t afford to back out now, Soon, they were heading to Cheval Blanc Hotel in Raymond’s helicopter.
The hotel stood in a prime spot near Lake Vancouver, its rooftop restaurant famous for sweeping views of the glimmering skyline and tranquil forest.
The place catered strictly to VIPs; regular folks didn’t stand a chance at the door.
Once inside, Alex, Lyra, and Raymond settled into a private suite, ordering the restaurant’s signature specialties. Meanwhile, downstairs, a sleek limousine glided up to Cheval Blanc’s entrance.
Florence stepped out, smoothing her designer dress.
“Charles,” she announced, “you’ve both been so helpful to our family. Let me treat
you. Sophia’s on her way, but we’ll head in first.” 1
She and Jack took the elevator straight to the top floor, only to be halted by a uniformed waiter.
“Apologies,” he said politely, “but you’re not on our VIP list p>
Jack’s temper flared, his eyes burning with indignation. “Not allowed in? Do you have any idea who we are? The Lancasters! Surely you’ve heard the name p>
The waiter remained composed, offering a polite bow. “I’m sorry, sir, but I cannot allow you to enter p>
“Is this how you run a business?” Florence snapped. “You turn paying customers away? Ridiculous. You’re looking down on the wrong people p>
Their anger crackled in the air, frustration mounting at being shut out of the exclusive realm they thought they deserved.
Little did they know that just a few doors away, Alex and Lyra were already dining under the Cheval Blanc’s glittering lights.
Jack grabbed the waiter by the collar, his voice low and threatening. “Listen, you’re gonna regret not letting us in. Do you even know who we’re with p>
The waiter’s face paled with fear. “I-I’m sorry, sir. I’m just doing my job p>
“We’re with Charles Kingston! And you dare stop us at the entrance?” Jack sneered before shoving the waiter, causing him to stumble and fall.
A calm yet authoritative voice interrupted. “Is there a problem here p>
Jack turned, flashing a smirk.
“Nothing at all,” he said smoothly.
“This idiot was just trying to stop.you from entering. Ridiculous, right? Let’s just
have his manager fire him on the spot p>
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Chapter 168
The waiter glanced at Charles Kingston, and a wave of fear washed over him.
When the powerful believe they can do as they please, the powerless have no choice but to endure.
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