Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 922

Chapter 922 Zeke Infuriated

Archie lapsed into silence.

Archie lapsed into silence.

The conditions Artemis proposed were not that simple.

If he agreed, he would undoubtedly pay a heavy price.

After mulling it over for a long time, Archie began lightly, “We had an agreement before, Mr. Luther. I deal with Tucker for you, and you help me rescue my friend. Are you trying to break our agreement by imposing another condition?”

Artemis gave a light laugh, yet there was no warmth in his hawk-like eyes.

“I risk crossing the entire Interpol to save your friend, Mr. Archie. If things go awry, there's a high chance of becoming a target of a global manhunt. Do you really think that dealing with Tucker alone is worth such a daunting task?”

The other end of the microphone fell silent once again.

Artemis did not rush him. Instead, he continued, “My second condition, actually, is quite easy to meet. You don't need to expend a single soldier. Besides, this condition also greatly benefits you.”

Archie gritted his teeth. “Name it,” he said quietly. “I'll agree to it as long as it's within reason.”

Artemis' lips curled into a smile. He whispered a few words into the microphone.

Archie could not help exclaiming in surprise after hearing it.

He never expected Artemis to be capable of such a scheme.

“Why me? Shouldn't you be helping—”

Before he could finish, Artemis interrupted him again, “I believe you have the ability to shoulder this great responsibility. You don't have to answer me right away. I'll give you two days to think it over. Give me a call when you've made up your mind, and we can continue with our collaboration. If you disagree, I'll have no choice but to deal with Tucker myself. Your friend, however, will probably spend the rest of his life in the secret base of Interpol. I'm a businessman. I will never allow myself to be at a disadvantage. Only when our benefits are maximized can this cooperation continue to exist.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he ended the call without waiting for Archie's response.

He believed that Archie would agree to the second condition, for no one could resist the allure of overwhelming power.

Indeed, his second request to Archie was to ascend to power as Philip's second son and become the next patriarch of the Hoffman family after dealing with Tucker.

Archie was different from Tucker. He was intelligent and ambitious—a genius, in other words.

Under his leadership, the Hoffman family would ascend to glory for another hundred years.

With him taking charge of the Hoffman family, Juliana can finally withdraw herself wholly and pursue her own happiness.

I have invested a lot to bring Zeke's woman back.

Rescuing a death row inmate from the secret base of Interpol was no easy feat.

On the other hand, he could easily crush Tucker single-handedly.

His main reason for collaborating with Archie is to trick the latter into becoming the head of the Hoffman family.

Only by letting him take over can Julie extricate himself. Hopefully, that kid won't act up and reject his second condition at the last minute. That young man is rebellious and untamed. A difficult character to deal with, indeed. I fear the position of the head of the Hoffman family may not even tempt him.

Juliana was standing guard at the carved doors at the entrance of the base, waiting for Zeke.

She had just received the news of Zoey's death; Tucker had failed.

And so, the confidential document had fallen into Zeke's hands.

She was determined to ask him for it.

The document contained all the top-secret information regarding the family. She would not be at ease until it was destroyed.

With a start, the rumble of wheels against asphalt from a distance pulled Juliana back from her wandering thoughts.

Without thinking, she looked up and saw a black car parked in front of her.

The back door opened, and a tall, slender figure emerged from within.

Despite all that she had been through, his appearance still made her heart flutter.

Just as when we first met.

As she watched him approach, his shadow fell over her, enveloping her entirely in his aura. She slowly lowered her head.

She did not want to meet his eyes, which were as deep and inscrutable as whirlpools.

Every time she looked at him, her heart would sink a little lower.

Precisely because she had met his gaze so often before, she found herself hopelessly lost in his world.

“Um, you're back. I heard from my master that you went to see Zoey. I...”

She could not bring herself to say what was on her mind. Master is right. Asking him for that document is like stabbing him in the heart with a knife.

Zeke lowered his head to look at her. His gaze was incredibly complex.

Though she did not finish her sentence, he understood what she meant.

She is determined to get that document, which clearly indicates her resolve to become the next leader of the Hoffman family. Is she really going to give up everything from the past, abandon the fate that binds us, and choose to walk that lonely path? She was so carefree with me back then, unbound and unrestrained. Does she understand that supreme power is a heavy shackle, capable of grinding one's patience to dust? Is she really going to pursue a life that's as colorless as walking among the living dead?

“I know what you want, and I also understand the consequences of giving it to you. You're a smart woman, Juliana. Do you think I would give it to you today?”

Juliana bit her lip tightly, sensing powerlessness spreading through her limbs. She struggled to support the weight of her own body.

He had only one goal from the beginning, which was to bring me back to Hallsbay. He knows that there might not be a future between us if he hands me that document. which is how I know he wouldn't give it to me.

“I am the legitimate daughter of the Hoffman family, Zeke, and I swear to live and die with them. If you destroy my family, not only will I refuse to go with you, but I will also resent you for the rest of my life.”

Zeke let out a soft laugh at her words, but it was ice cold.

He reached slowly into his pocket, pulled out the brocade box, and thrust it forcefully into Juliana's arms.

“Here. I'll handle Tucker on your behalf. As we were once acquaintances, this is all I can do for you. I wish you well in your quest of ascending to the position of matriarch and becoming the most powerful woman in Adrune, Ms. Juliana.”

After his speech, he walked past her with an indifferent expression and strode toward the base.

He was angry that she had personally sought him out to demand the document from him, essentially forcing him to sever the emotional ties between them.

Naturally, he was furious.

Now that she has become the head of the Hoffman family, I need to take a moment to calm down and think about how I can marry her and bring her home.

In the fleeting moment when Zeke passed by Juliana, two drops of tears fell from the corners of her eyes.

I have hurt him by casting him out of my life. We have nothing binding us from this moment on.

The thought of her life without him felt like a knife twisting in her heart.

I have no choice. If I don't shoulder the burden of leading the Hoffman family, it will fall into decline and ruin.