Chapter 288 Let's Make a Deal
Although he couldn't see the information on Francesca's phone screen anymore, Louis knew he had to be more vigilant. His mother seemed to be holding a ticking time bomb!
The car drove down the mountain, and along the way, it completely buried Francesca's pursuit of kindness.
Once her secret couldn't be hidden, the only option was to protect those she must protect at all costs.
After waking up early, Paige felt a bit dizzy, probably because she barely slept last night.
She barely touched her breakfast, and Raymond looked a bit worried. "I shouldn't have taken you there last night, and even if we went, I shouldn't have let you stay in the same room with her."
These days, Raymond had been staying with Paige every night until she fell asleep. She didn't sleep well and was often awakened by nightmares. It was Raymond's gentle pats that barely allowed Paige to sleep peacefully.
Last night was indeed a risk.
Paige stayed in the same room with Francesca; she couldn't possibly sleep.
Of course, Raymond didn't sleep either. He guessed that Paige might not sleep, but he didn't expect her to be up all night.
Paige said, "I'm fine. Maybe it's just the recent weather changes, and I caught a bit of a cold. Don't worry, I have a strong constitution and good resistance."
Her head was heavy, but it wasn't unbearable. Moreover, Paige had a high tolerance for pain and physical discomfort.
Although she ate little for breakfast, she still planned to go to work and didn't intend to rest.
"The Universe Group's matters can be handled by your subordinates. Taking a day or two off won't hurt." Raymond was afraid that Paige's mental stress would lead to physical illness, which would be troublesome.
But Paige couldn't let go of her work. She knew that to establish herself, she had to achieve excellent results with her current identity.
She was carrying a heavy burden. Because of Luna, she had already delayed many things. She couldn't protect Luna, so she couldn't let down those who gave her a second chance at life.
Her mentors were still in prison, waiting for a perfect ending. Those top-tier families and financial giants were also eyeing the Universe Group. Paige knew she couldn't slack off.
She smiled slightly at Raymond, "Isn't it too fragile and delicate to rest for such a small problem? Is your wife such a delicate person?"
Raymond held Paige's hand, "My wife can be delicate; she has the right to be. Anytime, she can lean on me, and I can handle anything."
Paige looked up and smiled at Raymond.
She thought she was fighting alone, but after getting out of prison, she unexpectedly married Raymond and found support.
Paige never said it, but she was very grateful for Raymond's love.
Raymond loved her so much that allowed her to steal secret funds information and would take a bullet for her.
With Raymond around, Paige's life was much less difficult.
Paige gently hugged Raymond's waist, her head softly rubbing against his chest.
Paige looked up, smiled, and said, "If I have something I can't handle, you'll be the first one I think of."
Raymond felt a bit elated.
Paige used to be able to throw him to the 'wolves,' but fortunately, he was smart and, of course, loved her enough to protect her regardless of life and death.
Now, he finally had a unique place in her heart.
Raymond's hand gently brushed Paige's nose, "Remember, you have an omnipotent husband. Anytime, don't forget that. I'll let you go to work today, but if you feel worse, tell me immediately, and I'll take you home to rest."
Paige nodded, "Don't worry, I will."
Paige was quite tall, but she still stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on Raymond's lips, then smiled and turned to go to work.
Feeling dizzy, Paige didn't drive herself.
Seeing that she didn't insist on driving, Raymond was less worried. She always had bodyguards with her, so if anything happened, they would notice immediately.
After Paige left, Raymond called Pearl and Amelia.
Pearl worked with Paige, so Raymond asked her to remind Paige to rest appropriately.
Amelia could now freely enter and exit the Universe Group with Paige. She didn't have to work and could take care of Paige, which made Raymond feel at ease.
After arranging things for Paige, Raymond checked his phone and saw many missed calls.
Raymond frowned but still returned one of the calls.
The call was answered within seconds, as if the person had been holding the phone, waiting.
Raymond frowned even more.
He didn't like this feeling.
Before Raymond could speak, Francesca said, "Raymond, let's meet alone. I have something to discuss with you."
Raymond replied, "If you want to talk about the senior staff changes, whether you see it as revenge or a normal adjustment, I don't care."
"I don't want to talk about the company. I want to talk about Paige!"
Raymond's face darkened.
Without hearing Raymond's response, Francesca spoke again, "I thought about visiting Willow Crest Estate, but I figured she might not want to see me, so I arranged to meet you alone."
"Send me the address." Raymond hung up.
Soon, he received the address on his phone.
Raymond didn't really want to meet Francesca alone, but he couldn't be sure what Francesca did in Luna's hospital room.
If she intentionally harmed Luna or still wanted to harm Paige...
Raymond couldn't let that happen. He had to eliminate that possibility completely.
So, Raymond went to meet Francesca.
Francesca chose a distant café and booked a private room. When Raymond entered, he felt that whatever Francesca wanted to discuss must be significant.
Yesterday in the church, Francesca wore a simple outfit, and no makeup, exuding an aura of detachment from the world.
However, today Francesca had reverted to her former glamorous socialite appearance, with even more striking and beautiful makeup. She carried a globally limited edition crocodile leather bag and wore precious jewelry.
Seeing Francesca's outfit, Raymond could roughly guess the changes in her mindset.
He just didn't know what she intended to do.
After Raymond noticed these details, Francesca gestured to the seat opposite her.
Raymond sat down, and the waiter brought over the coffee.
Francesca spoke first, "There's no good coffee here, so I took the liberty of ordering one for you to save us both some time."
Francesca didn't even want to waste time ordering coffee for Raymond, but that was fine; Raymond didn't mind. "Francesca, you seem like a completely different person today compared to yesterday."
Francesca smiled faintly, "It's not just compared to yesterday, but to the past period. I wanted to let go of everything and live peacefully in the church. But some things don't go as planned."
"Francesca, it seems your mindset has changed a lot too." Raymond was only worried about one thing: that Francesca's change in mindset might lead her to do something to Paige.
After all, he still didn't understand why Francesca was so secretive when she visited Luna. If she was simply trying to stop Louis from getting a kidney transplant through Luna, Raymond himself wouldn't believe it.
Francesca said, "Yes, I've changed a lot. Last night, I stayed in the same room with Paige. At first, I was really worried that if I fell asleep, she might end my life in my sleep to avenge her mother. So, I didn't dare to sleep at first. But I couldn't help it; I hadn't rested all day, so I was naturally very tired at night. But even when I fell asleep, she didn't kill me."
Raymond's face darkened, "Even if Paige wanted revenge, there are many ways to do it. She's just a victim's family member, not a murderer."
Raymond couldn't believe the word "murderer" was coming out of Francesca's mouth.
Seeing that Raymond didn't intend to have a pleasant conversation, Francesca decided to get straight to the point. "Raymond, your brother has been dead for many years. We all remember how he died. All these years in the Carnegie family, have I ever asked you for anything?"
Hearing this, Raymond knew this was just the prelude.
It seemed Francesca had a request.
Actually, Paige never intended to do anything to Francesca, just wanted to teach her a lesson.
But since Francesca had brought it up, Raymond was curious to hear what she had to say next. "Francesca, what do you want to say? Just say it!"
Francesca smiled slightly, "Since you put it that way, I'll be straightforward. Raymond, let's make a deal."
Raymond looked puzzled, "A deal? What kind of deal?"
It seemed Francesca didn't have anything he wanted. So, what was there to trade?
Francesca didn't waste any more words, "I'll have Louis return the company to you, and give you back the CEO position of Hawke Corporation."
Raymond was genuinely stunned by this.
Francesca had always valued this position the most, always helping Louis hold onto it, afraid it would be taken away.
She had done and sacrificed a lot for it. Now, she was saying she would give it to him.
Raymond immediately asked, "If I remember correctly, this should be what you value the most. Now you're willing to give it to me, so what do you want?"
Francesca took a sip of coffee, then put down the cup and said simply and directly to Raymond, "Paige!"
Raymond asked, "What?"
Francesca said slowly, "I want you to divorce Paige. That's my condition."
Francesca had thought long and hard before proposing this deal to Raymond because she knew he wanted Hawke Corporation.
Raymond's recent actions had proven this.
In the past, Raymond wanted to take over the company, but his health didn't allow it. Now that he was out of the wheelchair and standing again, his ambition seemed to be obvious.
So, Francesca believed Raymond wanted Hawke Corporation. Even though Louis was incompetent, he had held the position for several years and had made some achievements.
If Raymond forcibly took Louis's position, it would give people something to talk about.
It would be better if Louis stepped down, admitting his incompetence, and Raymond took over legitimately. That would be the best scenario.
That was why Francesca thought of this deal.
Since Francesca said this, Raymond had been staring at her.
A deal, giving him Hawke Corporation in exchange for divorcing Paige.
This was the funniest joke Raymond had ever heard.
Seeing no reaction from Raymond, Francesca tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
Raymond suddenly laughed, "Francesca, what makes you think that Hawke Corporation is more important to me than my wife?"
Francesca replied, "You and Paige are not suitable for each other. I've investigated. During your trip to Arcadia, there was a small issue. Your so-called wife actually went to Arcadia to get medicine for her mother. For the medicine, she even traded you. Isn't that right?"
Hearing this, Raymond suddenly stood up.
They had done this very secretly and had been very cautious. But Francesca knew.
Seeing Raymond's reaction, Francesca thought she had hit a nerve and continued, "Paige doesn't love you. Otherwise, how could she use you as a bargaining chip? Since she can trade you, you can trade her. Divorce her and take Hawke Corporation. Isn't that great?"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
