Taken By My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Eugene's silhouette was flawless—tall and elegant, a file balanced across his knees. His long fingers moved deliberately as he turned the pages. The face of his Vacheron Constantin tourbillon glinted momentarily in the light.
Lorraine's breath hitched. After everything she'd been through, she'd just swapped one threat for another. She weighed her choices—then stayed in the car.
Silence spread through the car as it glided past the Shaw residence gates.
Up front, Daryl and Isaac sat wordless. Only the crisp sound of turning pages filled the space, each one cranking the dread up a notch.
After a while, Eugene finally closed the file with deliberate care. As he removed his wire-framed glasses, his demeanor shifted completely—the polished professional giving way to something much more threatening. "If you're at a loss for words," he said evenly, "just say thank you."
Lorraine turned to meet eyes like polished stone—hard and unreadable. A faint smile touched her lips. "I don't need to thank you... because I'm useful to you, am I not?"
"The whole car ride, she'd been trying to figure out why Eugene had come to the Shaw residence to take her away. The questions kept spinning in her head until her temples ached.
She might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she was sure that Eugene hadn't acted out of kindness.
Some half-remembered words from her feverish hospital stay floated back to her, only confirming her suspicions. The only piece still missing was his true purpose.
Eugene studied her for a beat before chuckling. "You're slightly more perceptive than I expected."
"So that's a yes?" She arched an eyebrow.
He ignored her question. "You realize you're being used," he said instead, "especially by someone like me—a businessman who only cares about profit. Doesn't that frighten you? Or at least make you regret your choices?"
"If I'm useful, then you will protect me." Lorraine exhaled quietly. "That's better than being the Shaws' tool and punching bag, isn't it?"
Her composure surprised him. There was no fear in her steady gaze—just quiet acceptance. For some reason, that annoyed him.
Most women would be terrified in her position, but not this one—not even slightly. And she was barely twenty years old.
"Are you curious what makes you worth my time?" he asked, removing his glasses and folding his hands across his knees. His voice dropped as he looked down at her, all business now.
Lorraine gave a dismissive wave. "We can discuss that later. I'm exhausted." She sank back into the seat, grimacing as pain shot through her scalp and knee.
'I'm just a broke college student—what could I possibly offer someone like Eugene? Whatever scheme he's running, it can't be worse than the Shaws,' she thought to herself.
Eugene's lips thinned at her composure, yet he held his silence.
Then her eyes snapped open with sudden clarity. "I hope that angel figurine you gave away today was worth it," she said evenly. "Just don't make any foolish bargains involving me."
Eugene didn't expect her to dwell on it. "That thing? We have dozens gathering dust in storage. They're practically worthless."
"Maybe I'll consider working with you," Lorraine said with a casual shrug. "When I decide, I'll let you know, okay?" Her calm demeanor clearly took everyone in the car by surprise. "Now, would you mind dropping me at the next bus stop?"
Daryl and Isaac barely held in their laughter. Eugene never tolerated anyone acting like his equal—yet Lorraine talked to him as if they were on the same level. They had to admit they were impressed.
Eugene studied her face but said nothing.
As the car idled at a red light, an aggressive honk pierced the silence. A blue Ferrari pulled alongside, its window rolling down to reveal Stephen's refined features. "Well, well, Eugene!" he called, his voice dripping with casual insolence. "Fancy meeting you here."