Chapter 327

After a brief silence, a flicker of complexity danced across Luis' face.

He straightened, his movements slightly stiff, legs parted just enough to ease the tension running through him.

Reaching for an unopened bottle of water on the coffee table, his long fingers tightened with a crisp click as he twisted the cap open.

Tilting his head back, he drank deeply.

The chill of the water slid down his throat, quelling the heat that had surged in his chest like a fire meeting the sea.

He didn't stop until only a third of the bottle was left,and then screwed the cap on again and placed it neatly back in its spot.

Leaning into the sofa, he crossed one leg over the other, clasping his fingers loosely on his knee,instantly regaining the composed air of a seasoned businessman With a slight raise of his brow, he fixed his gaze on Miranda, the faintest spark of interest flickering in his eyes. "Go on. What kind of cooperation?"

When Luis rose earlier, Miranda had quietly returned to sitting on the edge of the bed, fastening the robe that had slipped open.

She picked up the folder beside her, flipped through its contents, and then lifted her head to meet his gaze.

Carefree as she often was, her eyes sharpened whenever work came into play.

"According to our research, you've long harbored ambitions of expanding into Clokron."

She paused, studying the unreadable calm on Luis ' face before pressing on. "To be frank, Mr. Sampson,our company has been preparing this collaboration with you for quite some time."

Her lashes lowered for a beat, and then rose with a practiced smile. "We've pored over your past strategies and achievements. Your business acumen and methods are praised highly across the industry,and we truly admire them."

Those words were not empty flattery; they mirrored Miranda's genuine thoughts. "That's why our company is eager to partner with you,to explore new markets side by side. And conveniently,you are setting your sights on Clokron's entertainment sector, aren't you?"

Luis lifted his eyelids slightly, watching her with quiet intent.

In their previous encounters, she had always carried a devil-may-care attitude, a woman untamed and free as the wind.

But today, her manner bore an unfamiliar weight.

The corner of Luis' lips curved faintly, ripples of intrigue stirring beneath his calm.

He leaned against the sofa, fingertips drumming a steady rhythm on the armrest.

After a moment, his low voice broke the silence."Oh?Then tell me-what advantages do you bring?"

Miranda leaned forward, her tone delberate. "Our company is prepared to invest fully. We possess both deep financial reserves and a professional team, able to provide complete support for your Clokron venture." Luis chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "Miss Brown,do you really think Sampson Group is short of investors?" His voice carried depth and a slight upward lilt, the unshakable pride of a man who knew his worth.

And indeed, Sampson Group stood as a giant in the business world-money had never been their stumbling block.

As a bargaining chip, investment alone was hardly persuasive.

Yet, even as he dismissed her offer, his gaze remained steady on Miranda, as though anticipating her next card.

Miranda, unruffled, smiled with quiet determination.

"What if our investment takes the form of prime real estate in Clokron-land perfectly suited for entertainment projects? Would you still decline, Mr.Sampson?"

A subtle shift crossed Luis' features. He knew well what she meant-land considered gold in the industry,its value beyond dispute.

Sensing his brief hesitation, Miranda's lips curved as she pressed on. "You know the worth of that land.We already hold the development rights.What we need is a partner with vision-like you."

Luis gave a faint, knowing smile. "Miss Brown, that land is no simple prize. To secure those rights must have cost you dearly. And I don't believe in gifts without a price tag."

He paused,voice lowering. "So, what's your condition?"

Miranda tilted her head, a mysterious smile lingering as her slender fingers tapped lightly against the bedsheet, the rhythm faintly enticing.

"The condition..." Her eyes misted with flirtation,her words trailing into the air like smoke.

Luis narrowed his gaze, sensing a snare hidden behind her softness.

Their eyes locked, neither willing to yield.

The air grew thick-half business, half something far more dangerous.

At last, Luis shifted his gaze, as though refusing to be caught in her net.

He reached up to loosen his tie, but before he could speak,Miranda's silken voice slipped in,teasing yet firm."Be my sexual partner-for a year."

Luis froze mid-motion. He had expected a scheme,but not this audacious demand.

"Sexual partner?" he repeated softly, his tongue pressing against his cheek, the subtle gesture betraying the irritation hidden beneath his calm.

Inside,emotions collided in chaos, yet outwardly he remained steady as stone.

Sliding a hand into his suit pocket, he retrieved a cigarette, the action smooth and deliberate.

With a snap, the lighter's flame rose, casting light into his shadowed eyes.

He drew in deeply, smoke curling in his chest, the sting of nicotine granting him momentary calm.

Exhaling slowly, a ring of smoke drifted upward,darkening his gaze all the more.

"Miss Brown, you must be truly lonely," Luis said, his voice low and laced with biting irony. "What, no man in Clokron to keep you company?"

He leaned back lazily, cigarette in hand, smoke veiling his face in shifting patterns.

Miranda raised her chin, her eyes locked on his.

He sat in the glow of warm light, his sharp features carved into shadow and brilliance alike.

His slender fingers cradled the cigarette with practiced ease, the smoke curling upward, shrouding him in a dangerous sort of allure.

Once,Miranda thought she disliked men who smoked.

But now she realized-it wasn't smoking she despised,only the wrong men holding the cigarette.

Shrewd as always, she sensed the probing beneath Luis' sarcasm. She only smiled, refusing to take the bait.

"Well, Mr. Sampson, you needn't worry I'll stray. I don't juggle two men at once."

She stretched out her words with playful intent, her gaze drifting over him, teasing just enough to keep him guessing.