Marrying the Man in the Dark

Chapter 1078 Deceptive Propositions "Mr. Gray has observedcountless times via the surveillance monitor, and yet you still need a reminder of who I am?" Damien retorted icily.

A cold smile played on Damien's lips as he regarded the man. "Shall I give an applause for Mr. Gray's acting prowess?" The man smiled in return, but his gaze remained sharp as he locked eyes with Damien. "My surprise isn't an act, I assure you. It's genuinely astonishing how swiftly you managed to trackdown." "Blyour impatience," Damien replied, his tone cool and calculated.

With a cold stare, Damien pressed on. "You planted numerous hidden cameras and bugged the entire area with concealed microphones, yet you failed to intercept Steve and my conversations, and you couldn't trace Steve's movements that day. Then, you redirected your attention to Savannah, scheming to glean information about Steve's whereabouts..." The man's gaze narrowed at Damien. "So, you foresaw my impatience and planned it all in advance, waiting for the mouse to eat the cheese in the trap?" "You could say that," Damien replied calmly.

The man's curiosity piqued. "How did you know I would take the bait?" "Because patience isn't your strong suit," Damien quipped.

Damien regarded him with a stoic expression. "If you hadn't acted hastily, you wouldn't have promptly disposed of Sebastian right after acquiring the video of Cherise confronting him with a scalpel yesterday, which led to Cherise's getting detained by the authorities." "That impatience is your undoing." The man scrutinized Damien for a moment before a smile graced his lips. "I, Jude Gray, have always considered myself smart and have never once admitted my losses. However, this round, I must concede victory to you." Stepping out of the car, he gestured toward a café nearby. "What do you say about continuing our discussion there?" The café, with its French windows, was bathed in a cascade of sunlight, illuminating the space with a warm, golden glow. Damien sat in a booth, his posture exuding an air of composure as he savored the rich aroma of his black coffee. With each sip, he seemed to sink deeper into his thoughts, contemplating the events that had led him to this moment.

Across from him, the man sat; his presence was a stark contrast to the tranquility of the café. There was a tension in the air, palpable even amidst the soft murmur of conversation. Damien's gaze, cold and unwavering, met the man's eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the simmering animosity between them.

"I simply seized sbusiness opportunities from Mr. Gray last year," Damien spoke, his voice low yet carrying an unmistakable edge. "I must say, I didn't expect to bear the brunt of your grudges." "I presumed the Gray family could weather setbacks since they've been in the business for so long, but it seems I was wrong." His words hung in the air, punctuated by the clink of porcelain against the tabletop.

Jude's hand rose with elegant grace I gesture that sliced through the charged atmosphere like a swift reeze through autumn leaves.

You're mistaken on one crucialjoint, he interjected smoothly, his the 'oice carrying a refined tone that inted at a hidden depth of intellect and conviction. ;wWith a gaze as sharp as a fox's, he sent a penetrating stare back at Damien, a silent challenge etched upon his features.

"The things I've done recently," Jude continued, his tone measured yet determined, "have no relation to the Grays." A faint smile graced Jude's lips, a subtle curve that hinted at the hidden intentions he bore. With arms crossed and gaze unwavering, he observed Damien with a keen eye. "You see, Gwenn and I are well acquainted." A subtle shift in the air accompanied Jude's next words. "Her trip this tto Calais," he began, his voice steady and unwavering, "was possible because I offered her my private jet." "I also own the helicopter you saw on the hotel rooftop," Jude went on, his tone casual yet portraying a hint of pride in his capabilities.

With a casual grace, Jude lifted the coffee cup before him, taking a sip as though the weight of their conversation was of little consequence. "Since we're close friends," he remarked, his gaze meeting Damien's with cool Oconfidence, "it's perfectly normal to lend a hand when she needs it." A subtle tension crackled in the air as Damien's eyes twitched, a telltale sign of the turmoil roiling beneath his composed exterior. "Are you trying to frighten me?" he asked, his voice portraying a hint of defiance despite his attempt at maintaining a calm demeanor.

Jude's response was as direct as it was unapologetic. "Yes," he stated matter-of-factly, his words hanging in the air like a challenge waiting to be met.

"I know what you're capable of. It's only a matter of tbefore you liberate Cherise from suspicion," Jude continued.

"But," he added, "you would do well to understand that with my resources, getting Gwenn out is a simple matter for me." Setting down the coffee cup with deliberate precision, Jude fixed his gaze upon Damien. "So, to make matters easy for both of us, I present a proposition." The weight of his words hung in the air. Damien listened, his expression unreadable as he awaited Jude's proposition.

"You and your colleague withdraw the accusations against Gwenn, and in return, I shall provide evidence proving Cherise's innocence, a win-win scenafor all concerned parties." He cast a confident gaze at Damien, a smirk subtly lifting the corners of his lips. "You must comprehend that Gwenn's transgression amounts to nothing more than incitement to commit crimes." "Whereas your Cherise stands accused of murder." "If you refuse, it's Cherise who will endure the most hardship within the confines of the detention center." Damien's eyebrows knitted together, his expression turning grim as he weighed Jude's proposal. Though he hadn't crossed paths with this man before, Jude's infamy had earned him a reputation. The mere mention of his nsent shivers down the spines of those who dared to speak of him in hushed tones. Tales of his exploits whispered in darkened alleys and dimly lit corners painted a picture of a man whose very presence commanded respect and fear. mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1