Chapter 919

Thalassa’s hand, poised to snatch the phone, froze mid-air. Her eyes reddened, and her fists clenched so tight they trembled as she fixed Bruce with a gaze filled with restrained ferocity. It was a wonder she didn’t lunge at him in a frenzy of rage.

“There’s a café up ahead; let’s sit down and talk,” Bruce said coolly, seemingly unaffected by Thalassa’s fuming anger. His lips were curled in an easy smile as he handed the phone back to her.

Grinding her teeth so hard they might crack, Thalassa snatched the phone and stormed off, her every step radiating suppressed fury.

Bruce, about to speak, noticed she was heading towards the café and wisely chose to save his words, following her with a self-satisfied smirk.

Once settled at a corner table, Bruce ordered an Americano and asked Thalassa if she wanted anything. She stared back icily. “I don’t need coffee. What do you want to say? My time is precious, and I won’t waste it on you!”

“Thalassa,” Bruce began, lifting his coffee for a sip, “after all, there’s some bond between us, we’re blood. Yet, you show no familial affection towards me. I suppose that’s fair because I never did my duty by you as a father. It’s only natural our relationship is strained.”

He could never forget how she’d conned him out of a fortune that fateful day, leaving him dangling from a zip line, his fear so palpable it was almost a living thing. Did she have any idea how terrified he’d been? Thank goodness he’d been lucky enough to be rescued.

“Bruce, if you have any shred of decency left, you’ll delete that video and stay away from my mom forever!” Thalassa’s voice shook with barely contained anger, and her body taut like a coiled spring.

“Now, why would I do that?” Bruce replied, feigning innocence. “Your mom and I, we have a special connection. She’d miss me too much.”

Her fists clenched harder at his words, a sure sign she was about to explode with rage.

“What will it take for you to delete that video?” Thalassa hissed through clenched teeth.

“It’s quite simple,” Bruce said calmly, as if discussing the weather. “Help my daughter Susan win over Lysander, make sure she becomes his girl, and I’ll delete the video of your mother.”

Thalassa’s shock was brief; she quickly regained her composure. Bruce’s intentions were transparent-

he’d seen no advantage in dealing with her, so now he wanted Susan to get close to Lysander. If Susan, his own flesh and blood, became Lysander’s woman, Bruce could reap endless benefits through her.

Such wishful thinking!

How could she possibly allow a woman like Susan to step into her children’s life as a stepmother?

But with that video in Bruce’s possession, refusing was not an option. Knowing Bruce’s lack of scruples, he would undoubtedly leak it. Her mother had already attempted to take her own life once, unable to bear the scandal. If it happened again, Thalassa wasn’t sure she could save her.

She couldn’t risk it.

Despite her shaking body and labored breathing, confronted with Bruce’s threatening gaze, Thalassa gritted her teeth and agreed. “Fine, I’ll do it. But you delete that video first. I need to see it gone before I lift a finger for Susan!”

Bruce only smiled, a calculating glint in his eye. “Now, how can I trust you’ll hold up your end? No, the video stays safe with me. Once you’ve done your part, and Susan is Lysander’s girl, I’ll destroy the video once and for all.”

“How can I trust you?” Thalassa shot back; her breathing ragged with desperation to erase the footage.

“No deletion, no deal. I won’t help Susan without your assurance.”