Chapter 1104

What else could she possibly want? Her lifelong ambition was to possess various kickboxing handbooks. Now that she had Alexander's secret handbook, there was nothing Ralph could offer her. "What? Do you still not believe your copy is a fake?" Ralph found her reaction peculiar. She'd seemed convinced it was fake earlier, yet now she doubted him again.

Why was she so certain she held the genuine copy? Had she gotten lucky and stumbled upon the original? As a kickboxer, she should be able to discern a forgery. However, Ralph remained skeptical. If she had stolen it, why was Alexander so calm? He should have launched a massive search! He might even have shown up at Ralph's door!

"Did you hit your head? Why would I have a fake copy?" she retorted. After years of dedicated study, how could she mistake a forgery? Ralph must be lying!

Her tone even made Ralph question himself. However, he refused to back down. "Well, believe what you will! Alexander has informants everywhere. If he can trap me, he can trap you. We should join forces."

"What exactly are you saying?" Heather's patience snapped. "Get to the point."

"It's simple! As per our agreement, I still want my shares in the Riggs Group. Once I become the Russell family patriarch, I'll find the real handbook and give it to you," he declared confidently.

"Are you kidding? The book is mine. I need nothing from you. Besides, what makes you think you can be family patriarch? Do you think you can do it without business acumen or kickboxing skill?" Heather's voice dripped with disdain.

Before, his desire for a share in the Riggs Group to rival the Russells had been plausible. Now, with nothing to show for himself, he was boasting about becoming patriarch. He'd clearly lost his mind!

"Ralph Russell, you've gone mad! See a psychiatrist!" she spat coldly, about to hang up.

Ralph hastily interjected, "I'm not crazy! You are! You lunatic! You won't admit it! I'm offering cooperation, a chance to get the real handbook. After this, I won't help you, even if you beg! And don't forget, I know your secret. I will—"

Heather hung up, blocking his number.

"Bastard!" she muttered, rubbing her temples as his words echoed: "Don't forget, I know your secret...your secret..."

Did he really know about her and Hannah? This infuriated her. She stood up and kicked at things near her feet, needing to clear her head.

Meanwhile, Ralph, having been hung up on, tried calling again. Upon discovering he'd been blocked, rage erupted, spewing obscenities. He'd made a mistake! How could he reason with a lunatic?!

Striding out, he saw Celine and returned her phone with an uneasy expression. Her observation of his grim countenance revealed his foul mood, but she still couldn't resist asking, "So...what's the secret?"