Chapter 717 Cyren Mines at Stake

    Dale pressed his aching temples.

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    Everyone on the outside thought he hadn’t touched Ashen Pact’s affairs for years, when in truth, the most vital resources were still held firmly in his hands.

    And that was exactly why Dan resented him–believing he intended to leave everything for Manny.

    Now Madam Lorette wanted to seize them outright…

    “Sir,” Lenny said softly.

    “I’m heading out. Have Artemis meet with Victor. She knows how to handle him.”

    He hadn’t liked the way she’d dealt with Marie earlier, but she hadn’t been wrong–it was the only path left.

    People had swarmed in suddenly, deaf to any exnation.

    They were determined to believe Tessa was in their hands.

    At that moment, Dale felt there was no ce left in the world to argue his case.

    “Yes, sir,” Lenny replied, not daring to protest.

    “I’ll use the back door,” Dale muttered.

    Lenny froze. “…” In all his years, Dale had never once left through the back.

    Grinding his teeth, Dale snarled, “What kind of mess is this?”

    He was livid.

    Just as he was about ito /ileave, Artemis came rushing over. “Manny says he didn’t take Tessa.”

    “He definitely did!” Dale roared, fury spilling over.

    “You–you don’t believe Manny?” she stammered.

    “Tell him to release Tessa at once. Now is not the time to be ying games with Diana. Do you understand me?”

    Every word was clipped, bitten off between clenched teeth.

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    Chapter 717 Cyren Mines at Stake

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    Since Diana’s sudden return, many Ashen Pact elders had shifted to her side. Control of the council was already slipping.

    Now the Dawson family had arrived, the Tom family as well, and worst of all, Yalvoria’s deadliest de–Victor.

    “But Manny, he-”

    “I just got word. Madam Lorette wants the Cyren Mines. Do you realize what that means?”

    Artemis’s pupils shrank violently. “What?”

    The Cyren Mines? Was she insane?

    Dale’s expression was ck as night. “It’s a warning. She wants Tessa handed over to her daughter, Marie.”

    Marie’s presence here had been the Dawson family’s opening move against Ashen Pact.

    Artemis’s breath quickened.

    “But Manny swore he doesn’t have her,” she said, still clinging to faith in her son.

    If Tessa wasn’t in their hands, why was everyone piling on them over her?

    There was no justice to be found.

    Dale’s head pounded harder as Artemis repeated her conviction.

    “Tell him this—if he keeps holding Tessa, we’ll lose the mines for sure!”

    He stormed out, leaving her shaking.

    Artemis stood frozen. Dale had never spoken to her so harshly before.

    Anger bubbled up until she stamped her foot. Were they all determined to tear her life apart? She was still certain Tessa was in Dan’s hands.

    He was just avenging his dead mother against her.

    Her fury was still burning when Lenny approached. “Madam, sir asked you to deal with Mr.

    Victor.”

    “Me?”

    How was she supposed to handle that? Victor was fixated on that wild girl.

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    Chapter 717 Cyren Mines at Stake

    Her chest tightened with rage.

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    Meanwhile, Tessa had been left in a hotel’s presidential suite with Lewis.

    She brewed herself a cup of coffee. Lewis declined a share, parked himself on the sofa, and kept scrolling through childcare videos.

    How to warm form to thirty–six degrees. How to burp a baby after feeding. How to bathe them. How to change them.

    “Could you stop watching those?” Tessa groaned. The sound alone gave her a headache.

    iThe /iman didn’t even have children–what was the point?

    Lewis looked up. “What’s wrong?”

    “Nothing,” she sighed. “Watch all you

    want.”

    But when the video turned to cleaning dirty diapers, she couldn’t even sip her coffee.

    She set the cup down and retreated to the bedroom, dialing Victor.

    His voice was warm when he answered. “Miss me?”

    “Not thati. /iDid you meet with the Morris family?”

    “They don’t dare face me,” he said coolly.

    Tessa snorted. “So bold when they’re scheming in the shadows, but too cowardly to stand in front of you?”

    Her disgust for the Morris family kept her away, but Victor going alone was enough.

    With his presence, he was more terrifying than anything she could say.

    b“/bI’ll hang up now. Their people areing out,” he said.

    “Mm. Make sure you give them hell,” Tessa muttered, her voice thick with grievance.

    Just thinking of how Ashen Pact had treated her mother made her chest burn.

    She had given herself to Victor–now she expected him to make it worth her while.

    Victor’sughter was tender, indulgent. “All right.”

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    Chapter 717 Cyren Mines at Stake

    The line clicked off.

    Tessa copsed into bed, feeling strangely weak, her whole body drained iof /iistrength/i.

    ?

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