Chapter 169
The Heiress Reborn with A Mystic Space
Chapter 169 Falling Into Sleep
Richard led Lillian back into the cave.
Among the rubble, faint specks of emerald already glimmered.
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Lillian pointed toward a streak in the rock. “See? It’s coming through. If you keep digging, you’ll hit the ivory vein soon p>
Richard’s eyes lit up. Sure enough, those tiny green flecks were unmistakable. It was only a matter of time.
“Whatever else happened between us, I owe you thanks,” he said at last. “This hasn’t exactly been pleasant, but finding emerald is no small thing. I keep my word-your reward won’t be lacking. Name it p>
She almost laughed. Typical. He’d dragged her here by force, yet smoothed it over with a few mild words, as if it were nothing more than a misunderstanding. A fox in fine clothes.
“I don’t want anything,” she said coolly. “Just leave my friends alone. And don’t ever drag me away like this again. No one enjoys being threatened p>
After all, without him sh
never would have discovered the vein in the first place. The rest she could set aside. As for his so-called “reward,” let him keep it-no one could say yet if this mine would turn profit or ruin.
Richard inclined his head with a practiced smile. “Very well. I hope someday we can sit down over a drink
instead p>
“Maybe,” she said lightly. In this world there were no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. Today had been bitter, but who could say what tomorrow would bring?
Preparations finished, they made their way out. This time there was no sign of Nicholas or the woman in red. The group left the forest without incident, arriving back at the village where a helicopter waited on the clearing.
Richard instructed his men to escort Lillian back to Solara. He himself would return to Radovia. And so they parted ways.
The flight stretched nearly ten hours. As the minutes dragged on, Lillian felt herself weakening, the storm of energy inside her impossible to contain. If she collapsed here, in front of everyone, there would be no hiding it.
“You can slip in with just your mind,” Blue urged in her consciousness. “It will look like you’ve fallen asleep. No one will notice p>
She nodded faintly. “Got it p>
At last the helicopter descended. The moment her feet touched the ground, she realized this wasn’t an airport but a private lawn. She looked up-and froze.
He was already striding toward her.
In that instant, the world seemed to fall away until only the two of them remained. A line she had once loved flashed through her mind: Only you, worth a lifetime, an eternity.
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20:50 Sat, Jan 17 ·
Chapter 169 Falling Into Sleep
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Finished
Sebastian closed the distance in long, urgent steps. His hand clamped around her wrist, pulling her forward until she fell into his chest. The cool bite of mint filled her senses.
He tightened his arms around her, as though afraid she might vanish if he let go. Seeing her walk off that plane unharmed had unraveled every knot of fear in him, leaving only fierce, consuming relief.
For a moment, with her safe in his embrace, he could finally breathe. With her beside him, he felt alive.
Only when he heard her faint sound did he ease his grip, his dark eyes searching her pale face.
“Lillian-what’s wrong?” His voice was taut, his chest twisting with panic.
She drew a long, shaky breath, sweat beading on her brow. “Sebastian, just listen for now. Release the Stint family. I promised Richard. And… I’ll need to rest for a while. Don’t worry, I’m only going to sleep, but it might be long. Don’t tell my master. Tell my friends for me-don’t let them worry p>
His throat tightened. Something had happened, he knew it, but the memory of Harbortown held him back. If she asked this of him, he would honor it.
“Fine,” he said hoarsely. “Rest. However long you need. I’ll wait p>
Her lips curved in the faintest smile. With trembling fingers she pulled a dark ring from her pocket and pressed it into his palm. “For you. Don’t despise it.” Her words barely slipped free before her body sagged and she fell into unconsciousness.
Sebastian stared down at the ring-obsidian emerald, warm against his skin, faintly carved with the image of a little girl’s curls. The work was clumsy, but to him it was priceless. He clenched it tight, his eyes stinging.
Looking down at her still form in his arms, he pressed a reverent kiss to her brow and whispered, “Sleep. I’ll protect you p>
Lifting her with both arms, he turned toward the manor. The setting/sun stretched their shadows long across the lawn. Step by step, he carried her forward-outwardly steady, but trembling beneath the weight, like a lost child with no one else to lean on.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.