"What do you want?"
Stella frowned. She pointed at the table, tapped her fingers lightly on his desk, and said in a very small voice, "I brought all my assets. Thank... thank you, Mr. Baylor, for saving me."
Jamie gave a cold scoff, offering no verbal reply.
Stella was stunned. Did he think it was too little? Or was he holding a grudge because of all the times she had fiercely defended Suzie and treated him terribly?
Her heart thumped wildly as she spoke with caution, "Mr... Mr. Baylor, I know these things are insignificant compared to your life-saving grace, but this is everything I have. I will continue to repay your immense kindness in the future."
"How?" Jamie's brows knitted together. His eyes narrowed as he shot Stella a razor-sharp glare.
Making eye contact for just a second was enough for Stella to read the meaning in his gaze.
If she guessed correctly, he was going to set terms: first, demanding she stop interfering in his pursuit of Suzie, and second... quite possibly demanding she actively help him win Suzie back.
No way. Absolutely not. That would be no different than taking a bribe to sell out her best friend.
As her mind raced, Stella responded, "I'll work hard, make money, and pay you back. I don't know how else to do it."
She answered crisply, making her stance clear.
As soon as her voice faded, Jamie's cold tone rang out again. "How much money do you think buys more than ten years of a person's freedom?"
Stella fell silent.
He meant she couldn't afford it. And he was right—she really couldn't.
She was momentarily speechless. When she had the moral high ground, she would charge forward recklessly, even if she was facing the king of the world.
But now...
What if this man made a demand she couldn't accept?

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update pls...