Chapter 83: A Fragile Bargain

Diana remained expressionless, calm, and unhurried. A naive girl like Peyton was no match for her. Diana saw right through Peyton’s desires and vanity. She wanted to be a proper, respected Smith heiress. Without that status, she’d only ever marry into a lesser family.

Diana smirked. “If you help the Smith family secure Marc Gerbers through Trevor, I’ll make sure you’re recognized as a legitimate Smith heiress.”

“I won’t!” Peyton spat.

“Oh? Really?” Diana sneered. “My offer stands until the end of the month. If the Smith family secures it on our own, you’ll get nothing.”

With that, Diana strode to her waiting luxury car. The driver bowed and opened the door. The car sped off, leaving a trail of exhaust. Peyton stood there, fists clenched.

Half an hour later, at the Larson family’s private hospital, Peyton stood at the VIP room door and pushed it open. Trevor sat on the bed in his hospital gown, a laptop on a tray in front of him. His face was pale as he worked.

“Trevor, what happened? Are you still in pain? You scared me to death,” Peyton said, hurrying to his bedside. She set the thermos on the table, her expression tense with worry.

Trevor looked up. “Why are you here?”

Tears welled in Peyton’s eyes as she gazed at him, her concern obvious.

“I heard from Josh that you collapsed and were hospitalized. Why didn’t you tell me? I was so scared. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t want to live…” said Peyton.

“I’m fine. You just had surgery, 80k to rest,” Trevor said flatly.

Peyton opened the thermos cup and ladled out some chicken soup. “I made this especially for you. The doctor said your stomach’s weak and you need something nutritious.”

Trevor didn’t want to reject her kindness. He took the bowl and sipped. The soup was sweet and rich. But it wasn’t the same as the one in his memory.

He set it down and said gently, “Peyton, you should go. The hospital’s full of viruses, and you’re still recovering.”

Peyton’s heart leaped; Trevor still cared. She smiled inwardly. She knew she held a special place in his heart.

Playing coy, she said, “Trevor, don’t take what I said last time to heart. I wasn’t trying to steal you from Summer. I’m just… grateful. And scared that now that I’m better, you’ll ignore me.”

Trevor lowered his gaze. “I’m not mad at you.”

Seeing his reaction, Peyton knew her words had worked. She pressed on. “Trevor, can you do me a favor?”

“?”

“You’re close to Marc Gerbers’ director, right? Could you help me get them to set up in the Smith family’s luxury mall?”

Trevor said nothing. Tears brimmed in Peyton’s eyes, making her look fragile and vulnerable. Any man would struggle to resist such fragility.

“You know how much I’ve suffered because of the Smith family. But I am a Smith, after all. They’ve treated me poorly, but I can’t be heartless.”

“Marc Gerbers is coming to Havenbrook, and the Smith family is trying to secure them. I want to help the family, just this once.”

But Peyton didn’t care about helping the Smith family or her father’s so-called love. She wanted the title of Smith heiress. Without it, she was just a nameless bastard, the daughter of a mistress. In high society, she needed status. Without Trevor’s protection, she’d be a joke.

Peyton was confident. Trevor doted on her; he’d help with this small favor. Then she could use it to negotiate with Diana. Trevor had just been working and knew about the situation. He’d read that book Caleb gave him, “100 Ways to Win Your Wife Back.” One tip: When your girlfriend is in trouble, step in to help. It’ll earn you favor.

Marc Gerbers entering the U.S. market was a big deal, and with a word from him, he could decide which…