The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1158

Newell finally found somewhere to let out all his anger.

“One billion,” he said, lips pressed tight as he stared them down. “No negotiating.”

The price had ballooned from two hundred million to a full billion. Newell was definitely picking up some of Nine’s bad habits, making money with a clear conscience nowhere in sight.

“One billion?” Marcia repeated, stunned. She honestly thought she’d misheard him. That was five times what they’d expected. But the truth was, only DM had these meds.

“Let me know when it’s bought,” Charlotte said, shutting her tablet and standing up. “Oh, and just so you’re aware—this is only the first batch. There are at least three more coming. If the Hawk family can’t cover it, you better call it off now.”

The room went silent. Everyone was in shock.

Three batches. That was three billion. You could burn that much cash for days and never see the end of it. Was Asclepius really worth trusting?

***

Charlotte didn’t bother staying at the Genetic Bio Research Institute. Instead, she headed straight for Anthony’s hotel and checked into her usual room. Maybe it was because he’d stayed there for a while, but she could still catch a faint trace of him in the air. That alone made her feel a little better.

After her shower, her phone buzzed with a message from Newell.

Newell: The Hawk family just placed the order. One billion.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed and a smile tugged at her lips.

They really did it? If she’d known, she would’ve asked for two billion.

Nine: We split it seventy-thirty. You get three hundred million. The rest goes to Solenia.

Newell: My spotless reputation, gone in an instant, and all I get is three hundred million?

Charlotte blinked as she sipped her milk. Nine: Try to haggle again and it’ll drop to fifty million.

Sure, using the Institute’s resources might speed up the antidote research, but he knew Charlotte too well. She’d rather risk her own life than let the Hawk family get what they wanted. Maybe she’d already made peace with dying slowly, never getting a cure.

After all these years, she hadn’t changed at all.

Newell: Whatever happens, I’m on your side.

He ended the chat and looked over at Cedric. “Give me the lab’s latest antidote. I want to try it.”

Cedric frowned. “Newell, your body still hasn’t recovered from the last few trials…”

“Just bring it,” Newell interrupted, voice flat.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. If he survived, maybe Charlotte would too. If not…

Newell gave a small, careless smile. He didn’t have anything left to lose anyway.