The Real Heiress Rules the World (Sloane Rivers) novel Chapter 338

Chapter 338 One Apprentice Too Many

Chapter 338 One Apprentice Too Many

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Sloane could feel the hard rise and fall of his chest-and the searing heat pressing insistently against her

waist.

Lucas shut his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed; finally, he just leaned his forehead against her shoulder. “Don’t move. Just let me hold you for a while.” His voice was raw, almost broken.

Sloane’s cheeks burned. She stayed obediently in his arms, steadying her breath. The rain outside had begun to fade, making the silence indoors feel even heavier; the only sound left was the mingling rhythm of their heartbeats.

She blinked slowly, her fingertip idly tracing circles across his chest.

Lucas caught her wandering hand with a wry smile. “Don’t test my self-control.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m still a man.”

Sloane tilted her face up to him, realizing that the always-calm, perfectly restrained Mr. Hawthorne now had a flush at the corner of his eyes; the lingering desire there made him look unbearably tempting.

She leaned in and nipped lightly at his throat. “So even the ever-composed Mr. Hawthorne can lose control?”

Lucas let out a muffled groan, his arms tightening so suddenly it almost hurt. He lowered his gaze, a dangerous gleam flashing in his eyes. His voice came out hoarse, ragged, “You’re playing with fire.”

But Sloane abruptly raised her hands in surrender, a playful smile softening her lips. “Alright, alright. I’ll stop.”

At that, his arms slowly relaxed, though something fleeting-disappointment, perhaps-crossed his eyes. Deep down, he had wanted her to continue the sweet provocation.

Sloane pulled the jacket tighter around her shoulders and settled cross-legged onto the sofa.

Lucas cleared the broken glass from the carpet, then poured a cup of hot water and brought it back to her.

‘Samantha’s identity doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Whoever’s behind her would know that; sending her back like this means it’s not as simple as it looks.” He handed the cup to Sloane.

He sat across from her, long legs crossed; the heady atmosphere from moments ago had already been replaced by sharp focus.

“It is strange.” Sloane wrapped her hands around the cup, drawing warmth into her fingers.

39 With Medicine Valley’s intelligence network, it makes no sense they couldn’t trace her for three years. And now she suddenly resurfaces, so brazenly…” Outside, the last drops of rain tapped softly against the window frame.

Holding the cup, her eyes shone brightly through the haze of steam. “I suspect she was released deliberately-a planted piece.” She took a sip of water. “Like the endgame in your study; sometimes sacrificing a piece delivers the deadliest strike.”

Lucas suddenly leaned forward, wrapping her cool hand in his. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

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6:41 pm P PPP.

Chapter 338 One Apprentice Too Many

His voice was deep and unwavering, his thumb brushing gently across the back of her hand.

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Sloane looked into his eyes, so dark and fathomless, brimming with both protectiveness and unspent longing.

“I know,” she answered softly, her fingertip tracing lightly across his palm. “Besides, I’m not entirely defenseless.”

Though her strength had diminished after the poisoning, she still had ways to survive.

Lucas’ thoughts flashed back to the time she had borne the poison for him. His expression darkened, his knuckles tightening involuntarily. That memory was a thorn lodged deep in the softest part of his heart.

“If it hadn’t been to save me…” His voice caught. His thumb brushed the faint scar on the inside of her wrist, almost invisible now. It was the mark left from the night she drew the poison out for him-and the eternal proof of the guilt he could never forgive himself for.

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6:41 pm P PPP.