Chapter 276 Gambling with Life
After the call with Sinclair, Magnus wasted no time and dialed Paul.
"You've got one week to find Patricia," he ordered.
From his serious tone, it was clear Patricia had messed up big time.
Paul asked, "Should we loop in Mr. Johnson?"
"Nope, just bring her straight to me."
If Patricia was really the one at fault, not even Michael could bail her out this time.
After checking in on Christopher at the private hospital, they headed back to Christopher's Mansion. Ronald was behind the wheel, Magnus rode shotgun, and Juniper, Jenny, and Sophie were in the backseat.
The mix of people made the car ride feel pretty awkward.
Sophie broke the silence first. "Juniper, you planning to stick around Christopher's Mansion for a while this time in Southern City?"
"Not sure yet," Juniper replied. "But with Christopher in a coma, I'm definitely not leaving Southern City anytime soon."
Ronald, still driving, shot a quick look at Magnus and said, almost offhandedly, "Quinn's part of the Abbotts and has a role in the company. Her coming back to Southern City is like coming home." Then he turned to Juniper. "Quinn, stay as long as you need. No need to overthink it."
He glanced at Juniper in the rearview mirror. Though his words were for Juniper, they were also aimed at Magnus and Sophie.
Juniper nodded and casually said, "Thanks, Ronald."
For some reason, that simple "thanks" rubbed Magnus the wrong way. It was almost grating.
Magnus's eyes turned cold, his gaze darkening like a stormy night.
Ronald didn't seem to care and kept pushing Magnus's buttons. He smiled at Juniper. "Knowing you were coming back, I had the maid clean your room. Jenny can bunk with you, no problem. But I didn't know Mr. Blackwood would be coming too, so I didn't prepare an extra guest room. Mr. Blackwood, you..."
Magnus cut him off, "No need, I'll stay at a hotel."
"Executive suites at hotels are actually more comfortable than home. Need me to book one for you?" Ronald's tone was casual but polite.
Magnus, however, wasn't in the mood for niceties. "No need, Mr. Abbott. With Windsor Group's current situation, you should focus on your own affairs first."
Ronald smirked. "Alright then, Mr. Blackwood, take care of yourself."
Their words were dripping with tension.
Sophie chimed in, "If Juniper stays in Southern City for a long time, will Mr. Blackwood stay too?"
Juniper was about to answer when Magnus's cold voice cut in, "Is it any of your business?"
Both Juniper and Sophie were taken aback. What was up with his temper?
After Juniper and Jenny safely arrived at Christopher's Mansion, Magnus took off.
Ronald, noticing the tension between Juniper and Magnus, said, "I saw everything on Facebook. Magnus not stepping up to clarify or publicly announce your relationship is his problem. Even though Dad's still in a coma, you're his adopted daughter, and the Abbotts will always have your back. Even if you and Magnus really break up, you can still stay in Southern City."
Juniper smiled lightly. "Ronald, thank you."
Even though she was only Christopher's adopted daughter, she felt an odd sense of belonging to Christopher and Christopher's Mansion. It really felt like a safe haven.
Christopher felt like her father, and Ronald truly seemed like her brother.
Jenny, standing nearby, looked up at Ronald with wide eyes. "Ronald, are you gonna be my stepdad?"
Juniper frowned and quickly intervened, "Jenny, you can't just say things like that."
Ronald squatted down to her level, smiling warmly. "If I did want to be your stepdad, would you be happy about it?"
"Having another dad means more candy, so yeah, I'd be happy! But my dad wouldn't be. Ronald, you're nice, but I still like my dad as my dad!" Jenny said with a big grin.
Ronald chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Jenny, you're quite the loyal one."
Jenny puffed out her chest proudly. "Yep, I'm a loyal daughter. Ronald, you better not try to take my mom from my dad, or he'll be sad and cry!"
Ronald raised an eyebrow. "You've seen your dad cry?"
"Yep!" Jenny nodded earnestly, clearly not making it up.
Ronald handed her a lollipop. "So, what other secrets do you have about your dad?"
"I could talk for days! Ronald, why are you so nosy?" Jenny exclaimed.
Ronald smirked. "Knowing your opponent better helps in winning."
Juniper was taken aback. If Magnus found out his daughter was spilling his secrets to his rival, would Jenny be in trouble?
Just then, Ronald's phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Magnus. Interesting, he just left and now he's calling?
Ronald answered, "Hello?"
Magnus gave him an address. "Peak Road, see you in an hour."
Peak Road? Wasn't that a racing track?
Ronald walked to the balcony, glancing at Juniper and Jenny on the sofa. He smiled. "Why should I accept your invitation?"
"I'm giving you a fair chance to compete with me. If you don't want it, then forget it," Magnus sneered.
Ronald was intrigued. "Magnus, what are you planning?"
"Stop wasting time. Are you coming or not?" Magnus's tone was already impatient.
"I'll come." Ronald agreed, still unsure of Magnus's intentions. But if it involved Juniper, he had to be there.
Peak Road in Southern City was a well-known racetrack in Crestoria. Here, as long as no one died, wrecking a few cars was just part of the game.
At 6 PM on a winter night, Peak Road was cloaked in darkness. Magnus arrived first, having already picked a car—a sapphire blue Ferrari, clearly modified.
Magnus leaned against the car, head slightly lowered, one hand shielding the wind as he lit a cigarette. A bright red spark cut through the dark night.
At the bottom of the mountain road, a black Bentley slowly made its way up. Ronald got out and walked over. "Magnus, what are you up to?"
Magnus tilted his chin, indicating the cars. "Pick one."
Ronald looked at him incredulously. "Did you come to Southern City just to race me?"
"Are you scared?" Magnus's tone was mocking, clearly trying to provoke him.
"Nothing to be scared of. But I should remind you, even during the day, many non-professional racers have had accidents on Peak Road. I'm single, so I have no worries if something happens. But you have a daughter. Betting your life against mine, you might not win."
Magnus extinguished his cigarette, smiling lightly. "Let's find out."
"If we're playing, we should bet on something." Magnus's dark eyes locked onto Ronald's, his cold, handsome face carrying a faint smile, but his voice was icy. "If I win, you have to promise me one thing."
"And if you lose?" Ronald asked.
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