Chapter 974

“Look, whether I spill the beans or zip it, that’s my call. And who the hell are you to question me?”

Callum shot back with a challenging glare.

The hotel manager, fuming by now, squared up to him. “I may not have a say in your business, but make no mistake-you’re not dragging me down wit you. You’re not walking out of here today, not on my watch!”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Callum replied coolly.

Without another word, he turned his back on the manager and strode toward the exit.

The manager was a portly man, his beer belly a testament to many a night spent indulging in the bar.

With fists clenched in anger, he resembled a bull about to charge, eyes locked on Callum, ready for a showdown.

As Callum approached, the manager let out a guttural roar and lunged forward, aiming to tackle him to the ground.

However, Callum’s foot shot out before he could close in, landing a solid kick to the manager’s gut. The hefty man flew backward, landing with a thud 1 echoed through the lobby, pain etched across his face.

Callum cast a brief, intimidating glance at the security guards rushing towards him. They immediately halted in their tracks, exchanging worried looks, unsure whether to proceed. After all, they were just hired hands making a modest wage, and risking their lives wasn’t in the job description.

Shaking off the confrontation, Callum walked away, his tall frame disappearing out of the hotel.

It took the manager some time to get back on his feet, the pain in his abdomen radiating down to his legs, making them tremble uncontrollably. He watched helplessly as Callum left, frustrated and worried about what secrets might be revealed about his establishment.

After feeling the force of that kick, he knew he was no match for Callum.

Lysander led Thalassa onto the helicopter, and only then did she realize he had arrived by air.

The engine roared to life, the sound reverberating across the open fields, bending the plants around them in the wake of the powerful gusts.

As they lifted off, Thalassa felt her heart leap into her throat, fear gripping her as she instinctively grabbed Lysander’s arm.

He glanced at her, his presence overwhelming, causing her heartbeat to stumble. She quickly let go, turning away, pretending nothing had happened. Lysander simply watched her for a moment before looking ahead again.

From the helicopter, Thalassa saw a line of black vehicles driving away, all belonging to Lysander’s entourage of bodyguards. How many people had he brought with him? Was it all for her?

The show of force both shocked and comforted Thalassa. Even though Lysander didn’t love her, he always appeared when she was in danger. Yet his coldness and ruthlessness were suffocating.

About ten minutes later, they landed on the Sinclair Group’s rooftop helipad.

Lysander disembarked first, and Thalassa quickly followed. As she descended the helicopter’s ladder, her foot slipped, and she swayed dangerously on the edge.

Proceeding cautiously with her eyes on the ground, her waist was suddenly gripped tight. Lysander had caught her, his strong arms lifting her off the ladder.

Her breath hitched as she instinctively clung to his neck.

The moment her skin touched his, she felt the heat of his body, the strength in his arms causing her heartbeat to race.

One moment she was cautiously descending, the next she was swept into his arms, her feet firmly on solid ground.

Still somewhat dazed by the unexpected rescue, Thalassa looked up at Lysander.

“Come with me,” he said, his cold gaze flickering over her before he turned and walked ahead.