Their position was quite indecent and extremely intimate, intimate enough to make one forget they had engaged in a deadly combat moments ago.
“Phew!”
Darnell exhaled deeply as he released Jane’s round thighs. With just that hot breath, Jane felt as if she’d been electrocuted, her body going completely limp.
Fortunately, her willpower was strong. She rolled her body away from Darnell, then gritted her teeth and rose to a half-kneeling position, her beautiful hair cascading down.
Three thousand strands of dark hair couldn’t hide her pretty face flushed with anger and embarrassment.
“Mrs. Egerton, is this level of skill sufficient?” Darnell stood up with a serene smile as he looked at the woman. “If you’re not satisfied, you’re welcome to try again.”
Several bodyguards, seeing their mistress nearly lose her life moments ago, had anger written all over their faces. They shifted their feet forward, ready to beat Darnell severely at Jane’s command.
But Jane gently waved her hand, stopping their rash action, then fixed her cool gaze on Darnell. “Mr. Halford, are you always this ruthless?”
Jane’s eyes flashed with coldness. “Is there no concept of chivalry in your world?”
She had already moved past her embarrassing anger. When she recalled how she nearly had her skull cracked and neck broken, a surge of rage welled up inside her.
Jane was normally charming and alluring, but at this moment, she had an aura of inviolable dignity.
Darnell casually stepped forward, examining the woman at close range. “In my eyes, there are no men or women, only two kinds of people.”
“Those who are enemies and those who aren’t. In my world, I only know to use all my strength to defeat my enemies. If you don’t like that, I can’t help it.”
“That’s my way of survival.”
Darnell’s eyes were sharp as knives. “You beat up my brother and demanded I show my attitude and ability. With your personality, if I didn’t let you experience the razor’s edge between life and death, how would you believe in my capabilities?”
“After that brief encounter, Mrs. Egerton must have gotten the answer.”
“I think no one here knows better than you whether I have what it takes to earn your five hundred million.”
Although they had only exchanged one move, the heart-stopping moment made everyone feel Darnell’s strength.
Everyone present believed that if Darnell had truly wanted to kill Jane, she would definitely not be alive now.
Hearing Darnell’s words, Jefferson wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, feeling both wronged and touched.
He had never thought that Darnell’s ruthless actions were partly to seek justice for him.
Jane’s eyes lit up, and she nodded slightly. “You even use such force against women. You’re certainly no easy character.”
Darnell smiled faintly. “Do you think a gentleman could save your husband?”
A glimmer of admiration flashed in Jane’s eyes. Darnell’s words made sense. If he weren’t ruthless, how could he challenge the kidnappers?
Without saying more, she extended her right hand to Darnell.
Darnell smiled and took it. Her hand was soft and fair, smooth to the touch.
“Mr. Halford, please wait for me in the second-floor living room.”
Jane displayed a hint of a smile. “I’ll take a shower first, and then we can discuss the details. If possible, I hope we can sign the contract as soon as possible.”
Darnell nodded. “Alright.”
Jane beckoned with her finger. “Someone, escort Mr. Halford to the living room.”
She glanced at Jefferson. “And call a doctor to treat Mr. Dittman’s injuries.”
Jefferson was quickly taken for treatment, while Darnell followed a servant to the second floor, a quiet space.
Wooden floors, circular sofas, a glass coffee table, and the sofa faced floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lake and more than a dozen parasol trees-the scenery was pleasing to the eye.
Darnell sat leisurely on the sofa, drinking the black tea brought by the servant while texting Areli to take half a day off.
Although he knew Areli would be furious, compared to a five-hundred-million-dollar business, he decided to endure another scolding.
“Mr. Halford, how’s the tea?”
After drinking half a pot, footsteps sounded from behind, and Jane, freshly showered and changed, walked over.
She smiled sweetly as she sat across from Darnell.
The woman wore a black spaghetti-strap dress on top that strained against her large breasts, looking as if it might burst at any moment.
She also wore a short black skirt that barely covered her thighs, about four inches above her knees.
Her fair legs were exposed, gleaming with an alluring luster in the light, making men want to pounce on her and pin her beneath them.
Being scanned by Darnell’s gaze, Jane felt her pretty face blush slightly. She recalled their intimate encounter earlier and pressed her legs together slightly, feeling strange inside.
There was also an inexplicable excitement.
Darnell quickly took a sip of tea, forcefully suppressing the desire in his heart. “It’s good. Very good.”
Jane leaned forward slightly, revealing a flash of white that dazzled Darnell’s eyes. She picked up the teapot and poured him another cup of tea, smiling seductively. “Is it the tea that’s good, or the person?”
Darnell was momentarily stunned, not expecting Jane to be so forward. He burst into laughter. “The tea is good, but the person is even better.”
Jane put down the teapot, leaned back against the sofa, crossed her legs, and giggled. “Mr. Halford seems to be quite the ladies’ man, but that makes me think even more highly of you.”
“It’s not that you lack chivalry. In fact, you probably cherish women more than other men and are more willing to protect them.”
She could now discern that Darnell was no gentleman. He would go crazy for both money and women, but she liked this flaw in him.
A man who didn’t desire wealth or beauty was either a loser or a king. She didn’t like dealing with either type, so she felt more affinity toward Darnell.
“A hero succumbing to beauty is quite normal, but you can separate your personal life from professional life.”
“In life, you’re attracted to women, but when it comes to work, you only see enemies and allies.”
Jane gradually opened up. “That’s good. This way, I don’t have to worry about you being seduced by beauty or falling for a honey trap.”
Darnell raised an eyebrow, looking at the charming woman. “At our first meeting, I didn’t expect Mrs. Egerton to see through me so clearly.”
Jane stood up and walked behind Darnell, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Mr. Halford, I now fully believe in your abilities. So next, let’s talk about the outcome I want.”
She lowered her body, her fragrance enveloping him, then placed her pretty face next to Darnell’s ear and spoke,
“Luis was kidnapped by Lincoln Pateshall, but the police can’t find any trace or evidence.”
“He didn’t want a billion dollars in ransom. He even told Luis that he would allow Red Star Manufacturing Corporation to mine in Mozamguay.”
“Red Star Manufacturing Corporation that were previously seized could also be returned to the Egerton family.”
Darnell endured the heat near his ear. “What does he want?”
“Me!”
Jane’s shocking revelation was just one word, and then she continued whispering in Darnell’s ear, “Lincoln said he was willing to settle all grudges and never bother Luis or the Egerton family again.”
“But the prerequisite is that I must become his woman and serve him in bed.”
Darnell’s eyelid twitched, showing surprise on his face. He hadn’t expected those to be the true conditions, but thinking deeper, he smiled.
“Lincoln has calculated this well.”
“He not only humiliates Luis but also has you, a formidable woman, along with your thirty percent of the shares.”
“Once Luis’s actions disappoint you, you will be determined to become Lincoln’s woman and seek revenge against Luis and Red Star Manufacturing Corporation.”
“With your capabilities and shares, plus Lincoln’s connections, Red Star Manufacturing Corporation would likely be swallowed up quickly.”
“Luis might live longer, but he would lose his most beloved wife and Red Star Manufacturing Corporation-a punishment crueler than death.”
“Lincoln’s move is extremely vicious.”
Jane was slightly surprised, then sighed, “I never thought the man I’ve accompanied for five years couldn’t see through this, while you, someone I’m meeting for the first time, saw through it at a glance.”
Her pretty face darkened. “Luis called, telling me to speak with Lincoln’s people in three days.”
Darnell looked up at her pretty face. “Mrs. Egerton, tell me, what outcome do you want?”
“Protect me, help me rescue Luis, and help me gain control of Red Star Manufacturing Corporation.”
Jane’s finger hooked Darnell’s chin, her breath hot. “If successful, I’ll give you twenty percent of my assets!”
Darnell suddenly pulled the woman onto the sofa. Before she could scream, he pinned her down, scanning her pretty face from above.
“No, I want to be your butler!”