From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 166

“Patton, we’re already on your turf. Got a problem with us checking on the person we came for? If I can’t be sure they’re safe and the goods are fine, I can’t help with whatever mess you’ve landed in.”

Laurinda leaned against the car door, pulled a lollipop from her pocket, and unwrapped it with a lazy flick of her wrist. She popped it into her mouth, totally unfazed by Patton, acting like he was barely worth her attention.

Patton wasn’t used to people like her. He glanced over at Leo, who looked tense and ready for anything. At least someone here still seemed to respect his authority. If not for that, Patton might have wondered if he’d lost his edge.

He was about to turn Laurinda down flat when someone rushed over and whispered urgently in his ear. Patton’s face changed instantly.

He looked at Laurinda, jaw tight. “You can see the person, but the goods aren’t yours yet. Prove you can handle my problem, then we’ll talk.”

“Fine. Just let me make sure the person’s alive.”

Since Patton had backed down a little, Laurinda didn’t push further. The two of them agreed quickly.

It wasn’t long before they brought out the person Laurinda had come for. He was beaten up, hardly recognizable, his breathing shallow and weak.

Laurinda’s hand balled into a fist inside her pocket. She knew now wasn’t the time to argue. As long as he was alive, that was enough for now.

“Alright, I’ve seen him. Let’s get to your problem.”

Patton narrowed his eyes, watching her. He’d expected her to demand medical help for the guy, but she didn’t even mention it. Maybe she wasn’t as soft as he’d thought.

Without another word, he led her into the heart of the facility, straight to the core server room.

Laurinda’s gaze swept over the rows of massive computers. Her eyes sharpened as she silently calculated her odds of taking over the whole place. She wondered if her team outside had gotten her signal.

“Oh? You want my facility? Then you’d better prove you’ve got what it takes. A guy like me…”

Patton’s words cut off as his body suddenly locked up. He stiffened and dropped right out of his chair, thudding to the floor.

Laurinda toyed with a small white porcelain vial, watching as Patton tried to move.

“What do you think? Am I good enough?”

She got up, crouched beside him, and pulled the gun from his jacket, slipping it into her backpack. Then she found some old network cables in the corner and tied him up tight.

“Surprised, Patton? Didn’t expect to end up like this, did you? You said you had crocodiles here, right? Maybe you can give me a live demonstration.”