Chapter 428 Are You Threatening Me?
After a while, Raven was escorted through the Ortega family’s grand gates by the butler, who led her straight into Estella’s study.
Inside the study, Raven gently placed Benedict, whom she was holding, onto the sofa. Then, she turned to Estella and spoke directly, cutting to the chase. “Miss Ortega, you didn’t invite me here just to thank me for saving Helena, did you?”
Estella showed a faint smile.
She leisurely poured a cup of coffee for Raven before speaking with a smile, “Miss Valor, you don’t seem like someone from the Sunset Empire. May I ask which country you’re from?”
Raven glanced indifferently at the mug placed before her but didn’t touch it. Instead, she looked directly at Estella and replied, “What does where I’m from have to do with why you called me here, Miss Ortega?”
For a brief moment, Estella’s expression froze.
She had intended to probe Raven’s background cautiously, but she hadn’t expected such a blunt and uncooperative
response.
However, her composure quickly returned as she said, “I believe you’re a smart woman, Miss Valor, so I’ll get straight to the point.”
After a brief pause, she continued, “Work for me. I’ll give you and your family new identities, let you be a citizen of the Sunset Empire, and even let you take the Ortega name. That’s not something I offer to just anyone. Stay loyal to me, and I promise you a life of luxury and power beyond your wildest dreams.”
Raven nearly burst out laughing, wondering if Estalla seriously believed slapping her family name on her was the ultimate gift. She looked at Estella and said flatly, “Thanks for the offer, Miss Ortega, but I’ll pass.”
Estella was visibly taken aback, clearly not expecting Raven to reject her so outright.
Her smile disappeared in an instant, and the room seemed to grow colder, her sharp gaze cutting through the air like a blade. “Miss Valor, I’m offering you such favorable terms because I hold you in high regard. But your refusal–are you looking down on the Ortega family?”
Raven remained completely unfazed by Estella’s overbearing demeanor.
She met Estella’s gaze with calm composure and asked in an even tone, “Miss Ortega, are you threatening me?”
“I’m only doing this for your benefit, Miss Valor,” Estella replied.
As she spoke, Estella glanced at her phone, a cryptic smile curling at the corners of her lips. “Your only way forward is to join me. Don’t believe me? Take a look outside.”
With that, she rose from her seat, walked to the study’s window, and pulled back the heavy curtains.
Raven followed Estella’s gesture and looked outside, where a crowd had gathered near the main house.
At the forefront stood Ellie, John, and the short, stout doctor she had confronted just the day before.
Behind them was a group of other doctors, some shouting slogans, demanding that Raven apologize and leave the medical field for good.
“You’ve made quite a few enemies, Miss Valor,” Estella remarked.
“These people are determined to destroy your reputation and drive you out of the medical community,” she continued, her tone laced with mock concern. “You’re all alone now. How do you plan to stand against them?”
Estella sighed softly, her voice taking on a coaxing tone. “Miss Valor, I truly admire your talent. I don’t want to see you leave the medical field in disgrace.”
Then, she went on, “In ten minutes, the celebration banquet I arranged for you will begin. Surely, you wouldn’t want these troublemakers barging in, smearing your name, and humiliating you in front of all the guests, would you?”
Estella smiled as she finished speaking, her gaze fixed on Raven.
In her mind, she could already picture Raven kneeling before her, begging to join the Ortega family.
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