Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 260

Chapter 260

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“Seafood porridge for me as well,” he told the server who had rushed over. “And black coffee.”

We sat in silence as our food arrived. I couldn’t help watching Drake eat–even his table manners were elegant and precise. I was acutely aware of the curious glances from other diners, their eyes darting between us then quickly away. I stabbed at my porridge with more force than necessary, my appetite suddenly diminishing.

“Check your email,” Drake said suddenly, breaking the silence. “There’s a contract waiting for your review.”

My stomach dropped. I reluctantly pulled out my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I opened my inbox. The document title made my blood run cold: “Stone Enterprises Employment Contract – 10 Year Term.”

“Ten years?” I stared at him in disbelief as I skimmed the document, my jaw clenching so hard it hurt. “And a termination fee of… ten billion dollars?” My voice cracked, and I had to resist the urge to throw my phone across the room. “That’s more than I could earn in a fucking lifetime!”

Drake took a sip of his coffee, completely unbothered by my distress. “The terms are quite favorable. You’ll continue as my assistant with a substantial salary increase. Your mother will receive the special medication she needs for her silver poisoning, all expenses paid. His eyes locked with mine, cold and calculating. “All you have to do is sign.”

“I’ve already given you ten years of my life,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, my knuckles turning white as I gripped the edge of the table. Tve been

your assistant, your contract mate, your… whatever you wanted me to be. Isn’t that enough?”

“Is that what you think this is about?” Drake’s voice was dangerously soft. “You think you can just walk away once your mother is cured? Is that your plan,

Elsa? To discard me the moment you no longer need what I can provide?”

His accusation hit me like a slap. “That’s not fair,” I hissed, heat rising to my cheeks.

“Isn’t it?” His gaze was cold, calculating. “Sign the contract, Elsa. Ten more years.”

Something in me snapped. ‘Do you have any idea what these ten years have done to me?” I didn’t care that my voice was rising, that other diners were staring. My hands were shaking, and tears burned behind my eyes. “People call me your mistress, your little side piece. Vera and her mother humiliated me publicly at every fucking opportunity.”

I was trembling now, years of suppressed emotion bubbling to the surface. I raked a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands in frustration. ‘I never expected my life to be like this. To be trapped in a contract with someone who sees me as nothing more than a convenient body to warm his bed when his real mate isn’t available.” My voice broke on the last words, and I had to blink rapidly to hold back tears.

Drake watched me with an unreadable expression, his eyes sharp and assessing. When I finally fell silent, he spoke with deadly calm.

‘Are you finished?” he asked. “Will you sign the contract?”

I stared at him, my throat tight with unshed tears, my nails digging crescents into my palms. His complete lack of empathy was like a knife to my heart.

“You have until nine tonight to sign,” he said, rising from the table. After your mother is out of critical danger, you may take a month off. Then you will return to fulfill your duties as my assistant.”

He walked away without another word, leaving me sitting alone with a half–eaten bowl of porridge and a contract that might as well have been written in my own blood. Fuck you, Drake,” I whispered under my breath, a single tear finally escaping to trail down my cheek.

9:31 am