The creak of the door opening caught the attention of everyone in the office.
Two pairs of eyes immediately turned toward the newcomer.
Reese's complexion subtly changed as she gazed upon the person kneeling before her. None other than Ricardo,
whom she knew all too well.
Upon realizing that Reese had entered, Ricardo attempted to rise. But the intense and foreboding stare from
Lukas compelled him to reconsider. With clenched teeth, he bowed his head and remained in his foreboding
stare.
Reese's expression traversed a spectrum of emotions. She stepped further into the room, closing the door
behind her.
Though she wasn't quite sure what was happening, she sensed that Ricardo's predicament was somehow
connected to her.
Lukas's gaze looked at Reese as if he couldn't see another person in the office. His face displayed an air of
indifference as he asked, "Why are you here?" Reese met Lukas's gaze before glancing at Ricardo, still kneeling
on the floor. Instead of directly answering Lukas, she inquired, "What is happening here?" "Precisely what it
appears to be." Lukas's gaze bore into her, revealing little.
Her eyes flickered, and her curiosity compelled her to press, "And why is he kneeling before you?"
A sardonic smile curved on Lukas's lips. "Are you here to plead on his behalf?"
Raising an eyebrow, Reese met Lukas's gaze steadily, unfazed by his remark. "Don't overestimate my kindness.
I'm hardly a saint and certainly not championing his cause. I'm merely curious."
She had long shed any feelings for Ricardo ever since she discovered his numerous manipulative schemes and
hatred towards her over the years.
Lukas snorted dismissively, avoiding her question. "I hope your intentions match your words. So, why are you
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇthere?"
Undeterred by his caustic tone, Reese clarified her purpose without hesitation. "I'm here to express my gratitude.
Thank you for stepping in on my behalf."
Lukas glanced at Ricardo, then returned to Reese. "If you don't specify the reason for your gratitude, how am |
supposed to understand why you're thanking me?"
Aware of Lukas's penchant for verbal acrobatics, Reese's brows knitted. Suppressing her frustration, she
continued, "I'm referring to your assistance during that incident with the Rhodes family, as well as Gerald and
Alexa."
"Seems you still know what is good and what is bad. Since you've call this way to thank me, I'll be gracious
enough to overlook your previous lack of understanding." Lukas chuckled wryly.
Ricardo's expression contorted, realizing Lukas had indeed orchestrated the events before. His suspicions had hit
the mark.
Reese raised an eyebrow at Lukas. She was offering him an olive branch, yet he still managed to twist things in
his own peculiar way. She truly had nothing to say.
She pursed her lips. "A favor deserves a favor. You weren't obligated to help me, yet you chose to intervene. By
doing so, | now owe you one. I'll remember this incident. If you ever require my assistance in the future, don't
hesitate to ask."
An amused glint flickered in Lukas's eyes as his lips curled. He had momentarily forgotten that Reese possessed
a clear distinction between right and wrong.
A wry tug played at his lips. "That won't be necessary."
Reese cast a sidelong glance at him and refrained from arguing, knowing that when the tcame, she would
find a way to repay this favor.
Little did Lukas know that his straightforward rejection of her offer would cback to haunt him. The tables
would turn, and he would find himself needing Reese's favor sooner than he expected.
After speaking her gratitude, Reese turned to leave.
However, just as she was about to exit, Ricardo's voice broke the silence, calling out to her. "Reese."
His expression displayed struggle and desperation. He could see that Lukas was affording Reese slevel of
respect.
Ricardo understood his own limitations-he couldn't contend with someone like Lukas.
Finally, he cto Lukas, and Lukas did meet him. He knelt down to apologize and beg for mercy, but Lukas
didn't say anything, he could only keep kneeling.
When Reese cover, she completely treated him as a stranger
He really had no choice but to call out to Reese. Once Reese left, Lukas would not forgive him.
Lukas's gaze pivoted from Reese to Ricardo, an aura of icy disdain emanating from him.
Ricardo steeled himself and began, "Reese, I'm aware of the wrongs I've committed against you, the
mistreatment I've subjected you to. But you've been with the Roberts family for twenty years. Please, spare us. |
owe you an apology for what happened to Alexa. She's now the laughingstock of Switzerland, and her legs are
crippled. Could you speak up for us in front of Mr Strakovski and ask him to spare the Roberts family?"
His words were filled with desperation and pleading as he bowed his head repeatedly, his forehead making loud
thuds against the marble floor. "I'm begging you, Reese."
Reese's face contorted with unease. "This isn't necessary."
But Ricardo persisted, kowtowing like a man in desperation. "Reese, I've wronged you. Please, spare the Roberts
family."
Lukas saw Reese's displeasure was evident. Obviously, while she could remain indifferent towards Lukas, she
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcouldn't bear watching her own father bow and scrape before him like this.
His gaze remained frosty, his irritation unmistakable. "That's enough! Whom are you attempting to manipulate?"
Ricardo's forehead flushed as he spoke with a shameful expression, "Mr. Strakovski, | have not threatened
anyone. | simply implore upon you to spare my family."
Lukas's tone grew colder still, cutting through the tension like a blade. "Leave." "Will you grant clemency to the
Roberts family, Mr Strakovski?" Ricardo's voice trembled with urgency.
"I have no interest in flogging a drowning dog. Disappear before | change my mind." Lukas's voice was piercing.
With a hasty nod of gratitude, Ricardo scrambled to his feet as he expressed his appreciation. "Thank you, Mr
Strakovski."
As he exited, his gaze lingered on Reese, and said with a voice tinged with gratitude, "Thank you as well, Reese."
Lukas held out a document and tossed it toward Ricardo. "Now, get out."
With that, Ricardo closed the door and left.
Reese cast a complex gaze at Lukas, "You didn't have to spare him because of me. You have every right to deal
with him if you find him disagreeable. It's not my place to interfere."
"Don't you find him pitiful?" Lukas gazed back at her intently.
"Pity is often a product of one's own actions." Reese scoffed.
Lukas gave her a sidelong glance. "You certainly possess a clear sense of judgment. In the end, | spared him
because of you. After all, | dealt with the Roberts family initially because of you."
"I know. Thank you, Mr Strakovski. | won't forget this favor." Reese met his gaze sincerely.
Lukas felt annoyed by her earnest gratitude, and his tone grew harsher. "No need. And don't botherwith
matters like this in the future.”
Reese nodded, respecting his wishes, and turned to leave.
However, just as she reached the door, Lukas called out to her. "One more thing."