Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 846

Larissa raised an eyebrow at Haskell. “You know how to fight?”

“I’ve had some training,” he said, downplaying it.

Javor scoffed. “Some training? Haskell, that’s a bit of an understatement.” He turned to Larissa to elaborate. “Those guys were armed. Haskell didn’t even take off his coat. He had them all on the ground in under five minutes, then calmly called the police.”

A smile played on Larissa’s lips. “It seems Mr. Palmer has a few skills I wasn’t aware of.”

Haskell met her gaze, his own lips curving upward. “You can ask me about them anytime.”

“My turn, my turn!” Fintan chimed in eagerly. “I met Haskell at a business summit. I’d just taken over my family’s company and was about to get swindled into a terrible contract.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Haskell and I were total strangers, but he saw the trap, pointed it out, and even helped me redraft the terms.”

“After that, Fintan became Haskell’s number one fanboy,” Javor added. “It was ‘Haskell this, Haskell that’ all day long.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Fintan shot back, completely unashamed. “The man’s my idol!”

Finally, Altair spoke, his tone measured and calm. “I met Haskell during a cross-border merger and acquisition deal.” He looked at Haskell with deep respect. “The other party had set a financial trap. Everyone on our side thought it was a lost cause. But Haskell made a counter-intuitive play that not only saved us from losses but tripled our initial investment.”

As she listened, Larissa’s smile deepened. She turned to Haskell, her voice soft. “It seems my fiancé is even more impressive than I thought.”

Haskell let out a low chuckle, his hand finding hers. “You’re only just figuring that out?”

The room erupted in good-natured teasing.

She answered, and Sapphira’s frantic voice flooded the line. “Larissa, I know you’re on a date with Haskell, and I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I don’t know what to do! Your father’s assistant just called. He said the police came to the company and arrested your father!”

Her mother’s voice was thick with tears. A cold knot formed in Larissa’s stomach, but she forced her own voice to remain calm.

“Mom, don’t panic. I’m on my way to Judson Pharmaceuticals now to find out what’s going on. Just wait at home for my call, okay?”

At the mention of this, the four friends froze, their heads snapping up to look at Larissa.

Haskell’s easygoing expression vanished, replaced by a sharp, concerned focus.