Chapter 210
210 Terms and Conditions
Scarlett didn’t respond right away.
Instead, she simply studied him.
+8 Pearls
Samuel’s expression didn’t change. There was the faintest flicker of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
He just sat there calmly, letting the girl size him up.
It had been a long time since anyone. had dared hold his gaze like that–unafraid, unflinching, and completely at ease under pressure.
Too bad , he thought. Too bad she messed with my grandson . She won’t get far .
But before he could lean into that thought-
Scarlett finally spoke.
“So you’re the one Professor Harrison mentioned–the man–who needs hypnotherapy. Looks like he wasn’t lying. You really are in worse shape than I expected. Hypnosis might be your only option.”
Samuel, who’d seemed so composed a moment ago, blinked in surprise.
He adjusted his reading glasses and gave her a closer look
Harrison had mentioned her once–briefly.
Harrison had told him about a rising star in experimental medicine out in Trenwyn. Brilliant. Unconventional. The kind of doctor who delivered results when no one else could.
She didn’t just treat symptoms–she solved problems. And when she paired her work with hypnotherapy, the outcomes were next–level. According to Harrison, if anyone could help him, it was her.
His condition was serious–both mental and physical–and it had been that way for a while. If it kept spiraling, it wasn’t just himself he’d put at risk. He could end up hurting the people closest to him.
One or two more serious episodes, and his body wouldn’t make it through. Another breakdown could kill him.
Harrison had flown out to Trenwyn himself but had come back empty–handed.
No names. No details.
And now here she was–right in front of him.
“You can treat me,” Samuel said slowly, “but I assume it comes with a price.”
Scarlett’s eyes glinted, impressed. Sharp old man . sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒind ηøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
He saw right through her–without her even having to say it.
She gave a small nod. “That’s right.”
There was no point beating around the bush.
210 Terms and Conditions
With someone like Samuel, subtlety was wasted.
Even if you tried, he’d see right through it.
So Scarlett laid it out plainly.
After Scarlett gave him a direct answer, Samuel didn’t respond right away.
He went quiet. Clearly, he was thinking this through–carefully.
Interesting, she thought.
Most people would have immediately asked what she wanted.
But Samuel? He was thinking. He wasn’t measuring her price. He was measuring whether or not he was willing to be in her debt.
Scarlett got it.
Men like him–powerful, old, and used to being in control–hated being leveraged.
They didn’t mind giving favors on their terms.
But if they thought someone was trying to manipulate them?
That was a deal breaker.
One felt like generosity.
The other felt like a loss of power.
She understood that now.
So when she spoke again, her voice was soft but steady.
“Today’s situation was a misunderstanding,” she said. “Under your protection, Mr. Jose probably won’t even pay a fine. He’ll walk out of here untouched. But next time?” She paused, eyes fixed on his. “Next time, he might not be so lucky.”
Samuel’s eyes sharpened.
He was old. Sick. Running out of time.
He couldn’t protect that reckless kid forever.
Even if he handed over everything he owned before he died, the boy’s impulsive nature would still get him in trouble.
Samuel tapped his fingers lightly against the table. “All right,” he said quietly. “Let’s hear your terms.”
Scarlett had expected him to fold
Sure, on the surface, it looked like Jose had masterminded the whole setup.
But deep down, this wasn’t just about him.
210 Terms and Conditions
Others had clearly used Jose as a pawn–dragging everyone in that room down with him .
Jose wasn’t exactly smart. He wasn’t cautious either. Jose was hot–headed and short–tempered.
This time he’d dodged the bullet.
Next time, he might not be so lucky.
If Samuel really wanted to protect him, he’d have to stay alive longer. He needed to clear the path.
So when he asked her for terms, Scarlett didn’t flinch.
She smiled faintly.
“It’s simple,” she said. “I want you to cut all ties with Matthew Fletcher. Completely. No contact, no collaboration.”
Samuel’s face darkened. She’d struck a nerve–and she knew it.
At the post–competition reception, she’d overheard Jack venting.
The Robert family had been taken down hard–completely wiped out–but in the end, only Carson actually paid the price.
Gordon, who had his hands in all sorts of illegal activities, walked away clean because Carson took the blame for everything.
Carson claimed full responsibility, and thanks to some help from the Fletcher side, Gordon avoided charges and was quietly brought to Jandale.
On the day of Scarlett’s final competition, Gordon was publicly named the director of Fletcher Group’s renewable energy division–tasked with leading a new partnership with the Kramer family.
The Kramers had built their empire on cars.
Now, they were shifting into electric vehicles–and fast becoming one of the dominant players in the industry.
The next step? Partnering with the
technology.
government to develop new energy systems and advanced battery
With that kind of backing, the success rate was practically a sure thing.
Jack had shaken his head and said flat–out, Jasper’s screwed . His mom’s gone , and his dad’s just there in name only .
His stepmother, on the other hand, had a plan–and a son of her own.
Ryan Fletcher. Still in college, but the groundwork was already being laid.
She was putting her people into leadership roles, giving them control over high–level projects, and slowly building influence.
It was obvious. She was setting Ryan up for a future at the top–and making sure Jasper didn’t have one . Back in Trenwyn, Jasper had helped Scarlett when no one else would.
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210 Terms and Conditions
She didn’t forget that.
Now that she had the chance, she planned to return the favor.
Even Samuel, calm and calculating as ever, couldn’t hide the flicker of anger that crossed his face.
He’d known Matthew Fletcher for decades.
They’d built their empires side by side–backing each other every step of the way,
Eventually, the Fletcher family exploded in influence and became the top power in all of Jandale– no question about it.
That’s when they officially partnered with the Kramers.
And for years, that relationship had been unshakable–built on trust, power, and history .
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