Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Lennox Fainted

Nerissa stepped forward and walked into the café.

Luke watched her retreating figure with a mocking grin. He wondered, ‘She’s crazy. She looks so confident.

‘Does she really believe she has some kind of power to decide life and death with a single word? Playing mysteriously. Shameless. Does she honestly think I’d fall for it? No way.

“Luke,” a voice sounded.

At that moment, a well-dressed woman carrying a luxury handbag approached Luke, curious as she looked toward where Nerissa had disappeared. “Who were you just talking to? Looks like a girl. Your girlfriend?”

“What girlfriend?” Luke replied. “Just a con artist. Last time, she almost tricked Lennox, and now she’s trying to fool me.” The woman was Riley Merritt, Luke’s mother.

Riley was the eldest daughter of the Stratford family, a full 20 years older than Lennox.

At 49, Riley maintained an incredible appearance; when she smiled, there wasn’t even a single crow’s foot on her face. Standing next to Luke, they looked less like mother and son and more like sister and brother.

Hearing that Lennox was almost deceived, Riley looked shocked and turned to her son. “Deceived? Lennox? Are you serious?”

From a young age, Lennox had always been different from ordinary people.

Exceptionally intelligent, he skipped grades since elementary school, entered an elite combined bachelor-master-doctorate program at 15, and had already made waves in the business world by 18. Now, at just 29, he stood at the pinnacle of commerce.

Over the years, aside from his romantic life, Lennox excelled in almost every area, a true golden boy.

So Riley was curious about who could have almost fooled Lennox.

“It’s true. Mom, do you think I’d lie to you?” Luke vividly recounted the incident in the elevator that day when he went to visit Hannah at the hospital.

Though usually awkward with feelings, Lennox had actually stepped in to save Nerissa. Riley, ever the gossip, couldn’t help but interrupt her son. “Luke, was that girl especially beautiful?”

Luke paused. “She’s definitely good-looking.”

Though Luke despised Nerissa’s methods, he couldn’t deny her striking appearance, one so unique that you wouldn’t find a second like her anywhere in Aosthorne.

As a mother, Riley knew Luke had excellent taste; ordinary people simply didn’t catch his eye.

If even Luke admitted she was attractive, then she must truly be stunning.

Riley narrowed her eyes, her gaze sparkling with curiosity. “So do you think Lennox has feelings for her?”

Luke cut off Riley’s fantasy immediately. “Mom, what are you thinking? That girl might have looks, but she’s got nothing else to match Lennox. She’s a complete fraud.”

Luke then detailed the entire story.

Upon hearing Nerissa’s diagnosis that Lennox would suffer a collapse three days later, Riley frowned slightly and asked anxiously, “What day is it today?”

“Today’s exactly the third day she mentioned.” Luke knew what his mother was worried about and smiled reassuringly. Don’t worry. Lennox is doing great. He’s strong enough to take down a bull. Collapse? Fainting? That’s all nonsense.”

Luke had just met Lennox that morning and had specifically asked about his current condition.

Lennox showed no abnormalities and had even been working out at the gym earlier that day.

Riley retorted, “But the day isn’t over yet. And didn’t Nerissa say Lennox would definitely collapse before 9 p.m.? What if she’

s right? Luke, this isn’t a joke. Where is that girl now? Take me to find her.”

Having been through life’s storms, Riley was far more experienced than Luke. She knew not to judge people by appearances alone; some seemingly young and powerless people could actually be formidable.

So when she heard her son’s words, her first reation Wabetic polenuine concern.

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She was genuinely worried that Lennox’s healt. ghactually besh outle

Her mother was getting older, and their father had passed away a few years ago. If anything happened to Lennox, it would

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Chapter 17 Lennox Fainted

be no different than losing Hannah.

Riley immediately sought out Nerissa to get the full story.

“Mom, what are you talking about?” Luke rolled his eyes and said, “Lennox and I took her prescription to the doctor. The doctor said Lennox’s body is fine. He just has a bit of internal heat.”

“Which doctor did you see?” Riley asked.

“Levi,” Luke answered.

Riley relaxed slightly. “So it was Levi.”

Levi was a famous healer in Aosthorne and a well-known figure in the medical community, having cured numerous difficult illnesses.

Riley often heard his name mentioned in the circles of wealthy socialites.

“Luke, are you sure you went to Levi?” Riley asked again.

Luke nodded and showed Riley the appointment record on his phone. “Mom, now you can rest easy, right?”

For some reason, even seeing Levi’s appointment record didn’t fully ease Riley’s worry. Her eyes remained filled with concern, and she sensed something big was about to happen.

Seeing her worried, Luke patted Riley’s shoulder and said with a hint of helplessness, “Mom, you’re just like Lennox. You believe whatever people say. What? Do you think Levi’s skills are worse than some girls?”

If Luke hadn’t stopped him, Lennox would have already taken the medicine Nerissa prescribed.

As they walked and talked about the matter, when they reached the entrance of CitySuper, Riley grabbed Luke’s arm. “Wait, Luke.”

“What is it, Mom?” Luke turned around.

Riley said, “We should stop by CitySuper to buy some things, then head to Lennox’s place. What if something really happens and Lennox faints tonight with no one around? That would be dangerous.”

Lennox liked peace and quiet. Aside from visiting the manor for a couple of days each month, he usually lived alone. Even the cleaners came only at scheduled times and didn’t live with him.

If something happened, there might not even be anyone to call an ambulance.

Luke sighed, “Mom, she’s just a liar spreading nonsense. Lennox won’t faint. Why bother going there yourself? Besides, don’ t you have plans to shop with friends tonight?”

“What’s more important, shopping or Lennox?” Riley rolled her eyes. “Lennox is my brother. We share blood and a special connection. I’ve been feeling uneasy all day, like something’s going to happen tonight. Anyway, I have to check on him.” Once it happened, there was no turning back.

Riley was cautious and didn’t want to do anything she’d regret.

Besides, visiting Lennox wasn’t hard, and shopping could wait.

Luke knew his mother’s stubborn nature. Once she decided on something/ no one could stop her. So he reluctantly followed her lead. “Alright, alright. Since you like wasting time on meaningless things, I’ll come with you.”

Riley picked out some fruit, fresh vegetables, and meat at CitySuper.

Half an hour later, Luke drove Riley to Lennox’s apartment.

The apartment was in the most prosperous part of Aosthorne, where space was precious.

Those who lived there were naturally wealthy or influential.

At the apartment door, Luke pressed the doorbell repeatedly, but no one answered.

Luke frowned slightly. “Strange. Maybe Lennox’s not home?”

Riley looked at him nervously. “Luke, what if something really happened to Lennox?”

Luke shrugged it off. “No way, Mom. Don’t scare yourself. I’ll call Lennox.”

“Okay.” Riley nodded.

Luke took out his phone and dialed.

No one answered.

Riley’s worry turned to panic; her face paled, and her voice trembled. “The door’s locked, and he is not answering the phone. Lennox must have fainted. Call 911, quick.”

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