Dumped Then Claimed By A Billionaire (Nerissa and Owen) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Fainting

Riley grew increasingly anxious, itching to kick the door open and rush inside to see exactly what was going on with Lennox.

Luke, however, remained calm and pulled out his phone. “Mom, don’t panic. I’ll call Leon. Lennox is always busy. Maybe he’s just in a meeting right now.”

Just as he dialed Leon’s number, the door swung open from the inside.

It was Lennox.

“Riley? Luke? What are you doing here?” said Lennox.

Lennox looked surprised to see them.

Normally, Riley and Lennox met mostly at the old family home. Riley rarely ever came to his apartment.

Today was unusual.

“Why didn’t you answer the door?” Riley sighed in relief upon seeing that Lennox was fine, her tone gently scolding.

She had been scared out of her mind, thinking something really had happened.

“I was in the shower and left my phone outside, so I didn’t hear the doorbell,” Lennox explained.

Fresh out of the shower, Lennox wore a black silk pajama set. His hair was still damp, droplets trailing down his neck to his collarbone, disappearing beneath the loosely tied robe.

The robe’s neckline was slightly open, hinting at sculpted abs hidden beneath the fabric. Broad shoulders and a narrow waist; his physique was enough to make even runway male models feel inferior.

Luke looked at Riley. “Mom, I told you Lennox’s fine. You believe me now, right?”

Riley kicked him lightly. “Stop talking nonsense. Take the groceries I bought into the kitchen.”

She then turned to Lennox. “Lennox, go dry your hair before you catch a cold. I’ll start cooking.”

Lennox glanced sideways at Riley, his eyes full of doubt. “Riley, are you sure your cooking is even edible?”

Riley, who’d been spoiled since childhood, had never cooked before. Not even boiled water.

“What? Underestimate me? I’ll show you some culinary skills that’ll scare you.” She rolled up her sleeves and headed toward the kitchen. “Luke, come help me.”

An hour later, Riley took off her apron and stood by the study door. “Lennox, dinner’s ready.”

Lennox sat before his laptop, lips pressed tight, engrossed in a video conference. Hearing Riley, he took off his headset and muted the mic. “You guys eat first. I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay,” Riley replied.

Lennox resumed the video call. “Continue.” His tone was icy cold.

But in the next moment, he transformed back into the ruthless, decisive big shot of the business world. His commanding presence, even through the screen, made the other executives visibly uneasy.

A senior executive spoke through the headset. “Mr. Stratford, the Calloway Group’s new AAA game is about to launch. This year’s Celestial Dome Awards will surely go to them.

“Plus, their proposal is very sincere and innovative. I think we should consider giving this opportunity to Calloway Group.” Others nodded in agreement.

The Calloway Group was on the rise, making it the smartest move to let them have this chance.

“What about Kinsbeat Game?” Lennox asked.

Someone said, “The key player, Wade, has withdrawn from Kinsbeat Game and hasn’t submitted a bid yet. Although new talent is joining, their strength is uncertain.

“Moreover, there are very few people domestically who master AAA technology. Clive won’t find someone to replace Wade anytime soon.”

Finding anyone better than Wade was nearly impossible; finding even someone on par with him was incredibly difficult. Wade was Clive’s last trump card. Now that Wrated detected to Call Group, Clive was like a trapped beast in a well.

Successfully unlocked!

breathe was loving oject.

Almost no one believed Clive could successful.

All hopes now rested on the Calloway Group.

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Chapter 18 Fainting

“Who says a trapped beast can’t make a comeback?” Lennox tapped the table with his fingers. “That’s it for today’s meeting You’re dismissed.”

After closing his laptop, the executives exchanged uneasy glances. ‘A trapped beast making a comeback? Impossible; they thought.

“What does Mr. Stratford mean? Is he considering choosing Kinsbeat Game? It’s still uncertain if they can deliver a bid on

time.”

“Mr. Stratford never makes bad decisions. Once he sees Kinsbeat’s proposal, he’ll know who to pick.”

“His thoughts are hard to read. I suggest you stop trying to guess Mr. Stratford’s mind, or you might get cut down.” The slightly overweight executive made a throat-slitting gesture.

The others immediately fell silent, unwilling to say more.

After the video call, Lennox entered the dining room.

He stared at the four dark dishes and a soup on the table, lost in thought.

Riley looked at him expectantly. “What are you waiting for? Try my cooking.”

Lennox sighed.

Pressed by Riley, he picked up his fork but quickly put it down again. With a slight smile, he asked, “Riley, you haven’t told me why you came over.”

Riley propped her chin on her hands. “You eat while I explain.”

“Has Luke tried it yet?” Lennox asked.

Riley glanced at Luke. “Yeah, Luke, you haven’t tried it. Go ahead. Consider yourself lucky. Not even your dad got to taste my cooking. You’re luckier than him.”

Luke smiled on the surface but grimaced inside. ‘Luck? Keep it. I’m not the guinea pig. Lennox really dragged me down with him, he wondered.

Luke raised his fork to try some food, but suddenly switched topics, looking at Lennox. “Lennox, I saw that con artist from the elevator again today outside the café.

“She’s still trying to trick me, saying your recovery is just superficial and that you’ll collapse before 9 p.m. But it’s almost 9, and you’re fine. Isn’t that nonsense?”

He added, “You just asked why Mom came here suddenly, right? She’s worried you might faint with no one around, so she came to check on you.”

Lennox’s eyes narrowed. His sharp, deep gaze was unreadable, chilling enough to make anyone avoid eye contact.

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

It was 8:55 p.m.

There were five minutes until nine.

“That’s not nine yet. Stop talking and eat.” Riley grabbed a forkful of an unidentifiable dish and shoved it into Luke’s mouth.

The world went silent.

That strange taste instantly filled Luke’s mouth. He wanted to spit it out but dared not, wanted to swallow but couldn’t.

Riley scooped another forkful onto Lennox’s plate. “Lennox, stop talking and eat too.”

Luke felt a sense of justice.

Under Riley’s expectant gaze, Lennox reluctantly picked a small leaf, popped it into his mouth, swallowed quickly, and then gulped down some water.

Still, Riley eagerly asked, “Lennox, is it good?”

Lennox kept his usual icy demeanor, lips slightly parted. “Not bad. But I’m not very hungry tonight, Riley. You can have Luke eat more.”

Riley looked at Luke. “Since Lennox isn’t eating much, it’s your gain.”

Luke was confused. ‘Lennox, if you want to kill me, just say it. No need to beat around the bush, he wondered.

Lennox put down his fork and stood to open a bottle of red wine.

Just as he got up, the clock on the wall struck the hour. It was nine o’clock sharp.

“It’s nine. Crisis averted,” Luke said triumphantly, putting down his fork and looking at Riley. “See, Mom? I told you Lennox

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Chapter 11 Farming

would be fine Levi’s a top doctor, and that girls just a far

Almost at that moment, a loud bang sounded.

Lennox reached to open the wine cabinet door but was suddenly struck by severe chest pain before touching the borde

His vision went black, and he collapsed to the floor, unconscious

Two voices shouted simultaneously, “Lennox”

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