Chapter 1694: His Fault

Roxanne's surprise was expected. Nevertheless, Lucian had no intention of concealing anything about Jack. He wanted her to understand Jack's danger, to ensure she remained far from him.

"Every time you discussed business with him, he used an aroma lamp to diffuse the poison he'd made. It only takes effect after repeated exposure," Lucian revealed, exposing Jack's insidious plan.

A thought struck Roxanne. "No wonder..."

"No wonder what?"

Meeting his gaze, she explained, "I rejected his collaboration proposal with Damaris Group. Yet, he unexpectedly approached me at the research institute, insisting on discussing it in his car. I detected a strange scent then, but dismissed it."

It must have been the final dose. The realization sent a chill down her spine as she recalled Jack's face. "I considered him benevolent, a doctor. Now, I question everything..." She couldn't believe a Damaris could be so treacherous.

"That's why I said it's my fault," Lucian confessed, his guilt evident.

Roxanne vehemently disagreed. "Why would you say that? This is entirely Jack's fault!"

A wry smile played on Lucian's lips as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. "If I hadn't taught you negotiation tactics, you wouldn't have clashed with him over profits. I'd have preferred a fifty-fifty split back then."

With a serious expression, Roxanne took his hand. "That's not how it works. Even without your training, I would have stood my ground. In fact, it might have dragged on longer. Your teaching prevented him from administering the final dose sooner, forcing him to resort to the research institute."

She suspected Jack had been poisoning her far longer than Lucian realized. She'd sensed changes in him even before the collaboration. Her poisoning was inevitable; Lucian's actions were irrelevant. Indeed, without him, she might not have survived.

Another thought furrowed her brow. "Jack is so meticulous. Would he have given you the antidote so readily? Did you concede something?"

Lucian, true to his word, revealed Jack's terms. Roxanne then learned of Jack's avarice: ten subsidiaries and Lucian's marriage to another woman.

Roxanne was furious. "He's insatiable! I'm the victim, yet he targets Farwell Group, even trying to separate us!"

"Are you really giving him ten subsidiaries? What about Farwell Group? Will the shareholders agree? Will they blame you?" Roxanne worried.

Lucian laughed, unconcerned. "It's only ten subsidiaries. My management is why they're profitable. I can make any subsidiary profitable. I doubt they'll thrive under Jack's control."