The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 747

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Afternoon sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, reflecting off the pristine marble floors of the Langley Group headquarters.

Callahan is currently reviewing a stack of documents when his intercom buzzes.

"Mr. Langley, Ms. Sloan is here," Lennox's voice comes through, carrying a brief, almost imperceptible pause. "She says it's urgent."

Callahan stops mid-signature, slightly surprised. He sets his pen down immediately. "Send her in."

The moment the words leave his mouth, the heavy office doors are pushed open.

Leilani stands in the doorway, looking visibly tense. She clearly rushed over.

"Leilani?" Callahan stands up instantly, walking around his massive desk to meet her, his tone laced with concern. "What brings you here? Did something happen?"

Given her frantic demeanor, it's obvious something is wrong. Callahan naturally reaches out to take her hand, but she gently pulls back.

Leilani looks up at him. Her lips part as if she has a million things to say, but she doesn't know where to start.

Seeing her conflict, Callahan can guess what this is about. His voice softens. He guides her to the leather sofa, sits her down, and hands her a glass of water.

"Did you... see the press conference?"

Leilani grips the warm glass. The heat against her fingertips helps ease her frayed nerves. She nods, finally meeting his eyes. Her voice is quiet.

Callahan looks at her furrowed brow and tight lips. He knows he can't lie to her, and he doesn't want to. He steps closer, speaking with absolute honesty.

"I offered him two hundred million. On the condition that the Sloan family publicly announces they are severing all ties with you."

Callahan spares her the details of Hackett's desperate eagerness—the complete lack of hesitation or fatherly grief. He doesn't want to break her heart. No matter how strong Leilani is, seeing her own flesh and blood treat her like garbage still stings. He wants to protect her from that.

But he doesn't need to say it. Leilani knows her family well enough to fill in the blanks.

In the eyes of the Sloans, she was never a person; she was a depreciating asset waiting to be liquidated. Now that she managed to fetch a premium price, Hackett is probably laughing himself to sleep.

Even with her mental armor, hearing the actual number makes her breath hitch.