Chapter 126 “Hmm.” Tarquin replied. “A man’s word is his bond. If you back out now, you’re nothing but a lowlife.” Tarquin pursed his lips and ignored the comment. Elysia, not convinced, pressed him again, “By saying ten grand in cash, you mean you’ll hand it to me directly with no strings attached?” “Hmm.” “Ha!” Elysia laughed out loud, unable to contain her delight. Tarquin gave her a look of distaste. Her mood was sour as a lemon until money came into the picture. And when she heard that, she perked up like it was Christmas morning. Typical money–grubber. Realizing she might have shown too much enthusiasm, Elysia cleared her throat with a subtle cough, softening her gaze towards Tarquin. But Tarquin’s brow furrowed in response, “I sought you out for Elijah’s sake, not to cozy up to me. I can’t stand women who lack self–awareness.” Elysia, taken aback, asked, “What do you mean?” He glanced at her through the rear–view mirror, “Don’t even think about seducing me. I’ve already got someone on my mind.” Elysia’s good mood vanished in an instant. She retorted sharply, “Are you out of your mind? Who’s trying to seduce you? Do you think you’re the golden boy everyone’s after? Get over yourself! Don’t forget that it was you who came to me, not the other way around. In fact, I should be asking if you’re using your son to lure me in!” Tarquin let out a cold snort, his words laced with mockery, “Me, lure you? That’s rich.” “…” The car pulled into a rundown neighborhood, stopping in front of the last building in the row. Tarquin killed the engine and, seeing that she was still fuming, reminded her. “That was just a heads–up.” Elysia shot back irately, “I was giving you a heads–up too. If you hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve forgotten. Let’s get one thing straight: if you even think about playing me, I’ll make you regret it.” “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of it in this lifetime!” “Better stick to it!” Huffing with anger, Elysia reached for the car door, but Tarquin suddenly locked it and turned to her. “I’m entrusting Elijah to you because I want you to be there for him. If you dare hurt him, I will make you suffer.” His tone was even, but each word cut like a blade of ice.. 1/2 Chapter 129 His gaze was even more chilling and worse than a ghoul. It was so intense it seemed like something sinister could leap out of his eyes at any moment. Elysia, frightened, quickly looked away. Swallowing hard, she said, “I have no quarrel with him so why would I want to hurt him? Besides, you approached me. If you’re worried, just tell me to leave.” Tarquin scrutinized her for a moment, then his gaze softened, “I’ll take your word for it now. If you do, well, there will be something in it for you.” With that, he opened the car door and got out. Elysia breathed heavily, shaken. That damn Tarquin could be really intimidating when he was upset. For a moment, she wondered if he was even human or some kind of ghoul! It was probably best to keep her distance from such a person. But as much as she wanted to stay away, she couldn’t escape. Taking a deep breath, Elysia steeled herself and got out of the car. The scene before her was baffling. She had assumed that such a loaded man as Tarquin would surely live in some grand mansion, not in a place that was falling apart at the seams. The neighborhood was even less inviting than the one in Blossom. It was full of battered tricycles, bicycles, and cars that were worth maybe a few hundreds dollars at best. Tarquin’s car, a model popular among the masses, seemed downright luxurious by comparison. “This is where you live?” she asked. “Yeah.” “No, I mean, why would you live in a place like this?” “Why shouldn’t I?” Tarquin, with his long strides, entered the building and started climbing the stairs. There wasn’t even an elevator.