Alle Kapitel von The Devil’s Bargain: Kapitel 21 – Kapitel 30

The butler and maids rushed over, and the scene descended into chaos.“Quick! Call Dr. Jin! Miss has had another episode!”“Blood transfusion, prepare the blood.”Like the calm eye of a storm, Zoe remained perfectly still. She quietly watched Lana Thorne unconscious on the floor, her eyes betraying no emotion.She turned, intending to go to her room to retrieve something important.But she had barely taken a step when two large bodyguards advanced, gripping her arms tightly.“Miss, you cannot leave.” The butler ordered in a low voice, “You know your next duty, don’t make us resort to force.”Zoe didn’t struggle, nor did she turn back.She just closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh.Again...This familiar scene had repeated countless times since she was a child. Every time Lana Thorne got agitated, every time Lana Thorne fainted. She would be held like this.Not because they worried about her, but

Little did Aaron know, the moment the door clicked shut, Ryan’s professional mask completely crumbled.A devious smirk replaced his serious expression, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of a major scandal. He couldn’t wait another second. Ducking into a quiet corner, he pulled out his phone and scrolled rapidly through his contacts.After only a few rings, the call connected. Caleb’s steady, composed voice came through. “What?”“Hey! You won’t believe the bombshell I just witnessed,” Ryan whispered, his voice buzzing with excitement.Caleb sounded completely unimpressed. “I’m busy.”“Wait, wait! Don’t hang up!” Ryan blurted out. “This is huge. It’s about your partner-in-crime.”There was a brief silence on the other end. “Go on.”“Aaron!” Ryan lowered his voice to a conspiratorial murmur. “He just carried a girl into the ER. She’s gorgeous, but man, she’s a total wreck.”“...”Ryan launched into his ‘expert’ analysis. “Do you think our resident ice king finally snapped and lost contro

Aaron set the mirror aside, his gaze drifting over Ethan’s overly groomed appearance. “You... actually have a date tonight?”“Yep!” Ethan nodded, his eyes lighting up with unshielded joy.“A girl?” Aaron added, a question that felt entirely unnecessary.Ethan’s smile faltered for a second. “Cap? What’s that supposed to mean? Of course it’s a girl. I’m a hundred percent straight, I swear.”Aaron looked at the pink cat-ear headband still perched on Ethan’s head, his expression skeptical. He cleared his throat, changing the subject. “Is this your first real girlfriend?”Mentioning her made Ethan’s tanned face flush a deep crimson. He rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. “Yeah, we’ve only been seeing each other for about a month. I’m planning on... well, making it official tonight.”Aaron stayed quiet, watching the raw, simple happiness radiating from the man. It reminded him of Caleb—that same look Caleb always wore whenever the topic of love came up. It was a look Aaron had

Aaron didn’t push her. He stared at the slumped shape under the blankets, his mind a chaotic mess of conflicting emotions.Is she actually upset because of what I said? He doubted it—Zoe Thorne didn’t seem like the type to have her feelings hurt so easily. Still, it was better this way. Ryan had been in love with that woman for eight years; there was no room in his heart for anyone else. It was better for Zoe to give up now.Aaron shook his head, let out a weary sigh, and sat down on the sofa. He pulled out his laptop and began to grind through his backlog of work, settle in for the long night ahead.It wasn’t until the first light of dawn peaked through the window that Zoe finally drifted back to consciousness.She blinked slowly, trying to ground herself. Her head was still swimming in a dull ache. Sensing someone’s presence beside her, she turned her head.Seeing Aaron asleep in the chair, a small, faint smile played on her lips. “Uncle...” she whispered, her voice barely audible,

Aaron shot her a cold look, jerking his chin toward the balcony. “Be my guest. The railing is right there. Since I’m here, I can even help make it quick and clean for you.”Zoe pouted. “You’re so heartless, Uncle. And you forgot again, you’re supposed to call me baby. It adds a nice touch of affection.”“And you can stop calling me by that disgusting title,” Aaron snapped, his brow furrowing. Every time she said it, it made his skin crawl.“Then what should I call you?” She tilted her head, playing the part of the innocent ingenue. “Aren’t you my uncle-in-law?”“I haven’t so much as touched a hair on your aunt’s head,” he growled. That damn engagement was a headache he didn’t need.Zoe set her milk down and suddenly leaned across the table, her face inches from his. “Maybe you haven’t touched your fiancée,” she whispered, her voice dropping into a sultry lilt, “but you’ve certainly made a meal out of her niece, haven’t you, Uncle?”Her warm breath, sweet with the scent of milk, brushe