Chapter 1532:
Despite assessing the situation from every angle, Corrine realized she was at a disadvantage. Her best bet was to buy time through negotiation.
“I know you’re in Amelie’s employ. She must have promised you a substantial amount. Whatever it was, I’ll double it,” Corrine continued, her voice steady, betraying no signs of the ordeal she had just undergone. “Release me now, and the money is yours. I’m prepared to overlook tonight’s events. If you’re concerned about my reliability, I can arrange flights for you to escape anywhere you desire.”
She needed to make them an offer too tempting to dismiss.
As long as their motivation was monetary rather than vengeful, there was a chance.
“Miss Hamilton paid us two million to ship you off,” said the man with tattooed sleeves, assessing Corrine with calculating eyes. “That boat’s bound for Soliboria—a chaotic place filled with shady dealings like human trafficking and the sex trade. Given your appearance, you’d be quite the prize there, easily worth between one and two million. Then, even if your looks fade or you get hurt, you’d still bring in cash. You’re an investment. You think four million is enough for us to turn on our deal? You’re not quite the bargainer.”
The dark reality of Soliboria’s situation hung heavily in the air, confirming the gravity of their intentions.
Corrine met their gazes with a cold, piercing look.
After a tense silence, she countered, “Ten million.”
The stockier man’s eyes sparkled with greed.
His excitement was palpable as he tugged at his partner’s arm. “We should take this deal!”
Ten million dollars.
They had never seen that kind of money—not in one place, not in their entire lives.
The tension in the air escalated as the tattooed man rebuked his partner with a slap. “You greedy fool!”
The fat man, nursing his head with a resentful rub, noticed the tremor in his partner’s hand and shot back, “If you’re so tough, why are you shaking?”
The tattooed man, gearing up to strike again, paused as the fat man skillfully dodged the blow.
“How are you going to give us the money?” The tattooed man turned to Corrine. “Would a check work?”
Corrine responded coolly, “Of course.”
The tattooed man said, “Good,” as he produced a blank check and a pen from his pocket. “Sign it now!”
Corrine eyed the check and pen laid out before her, a knowing smile curling her lips. Everything was too conveniently arranged.
This wasn’t their first time. She understood that signing the check would only open the door to relentless demands for more money.
“I suggest you stop playing games. Sign it quickly, or you will regret it!” the tattooed man insisted, his tone icy.
Corrine, seeing through their ploy, was not about to knowingly step into their trap.
Her hesitation made the tattooed man visibly impatient.
Still, the dinner knife Corrine held kept him wary of getting too close.
“Let’s just use force if she won’t sign!” the fat man suggested eagerly, itching to move things along.
But before he could act, the tattooed man grabbed his arm and yanked him back. “Did you forget what Miss Hamilton said?” he hissed in a low voice.
Miss Hamilton had made it clear that Corrine should not be harmed physically, as any injury could decrease her market value.
The fat man’s shoulders sagged. “Then what now? We can’t keep waiting!” The clock was ticking, and the handoff deadline was closing in. Any delay now, and they’d all be in deep trouble.
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