All Chapters of Abandoned In Prison, Now They Regret!: Chapter 111
- Chapter 120
192 chapters
CHAPTER 111
The elevator hummed softly as it carried Steven down from the penthouse. The city below glimmered like molten glass, yet his mind was elsewhere — in a conversation he couldn’t afford to mishandle. Princewill waited by the car, one hand in his pocket, the other holding two takeaway coffees. His smile was effortless. “You look like you’re heading to an ambush, not a meeting,” he teased. Steven accepted the coffee, smirking. “With Luisa Payne, it’s both.” Princewill laughed, unlocking the sleek black Bentley. “Ah, Mrs. Payne, if only the world knew who you were and how much you hate leaving the penthouse except of course you want to run away, that alone should make headlines.” “Careful,” Steven replied, sliding into the back seat. “If the papers ever find out, you’ll be my first suspect.” Princewill grinned as he drove out of the underground garage. “Relax. I don’t talk to journalists. They don’t pay enough for my kind of loyalty.” “Good,” Steven said, glancing out a
CHAPTER 112
The sound of footsteps in the hallway interrupted the light moment. They were firm, steady and masculine. Luisa’s smile dimmed slightly, her gaze flicking to the door. “Your husband?” Steven asked quietly. “Yes,” she murmured, smoothing her hair. “Right on time.” Princewill straightened in his seat, his tone low. “You want me to step out?” “No,” Steven said. “We’re guests.” Luisa exhaled softly, composure returning to her face like a mask sliding back into place. “Remember,” she whispered, “he knows nothing.” Steven nodded once. “He won’t.” The doorknob turned, and the air in the room shifted. Mr. Payne entered, tall, commanding, every inch the man of the house. His gaze moved between Luisa, Steven, and Princewill, he was curious and cautious. “Luisa,” he said calmly, “I didn’t realize we had company.” Luisa smiled gracefully. “You do now.” Steven rose to his feet, composed and unreadable. “Mr. Payne,” he greeted evenly. “An honor to finally meet you.” The
CHAPTER 113
Mr. Payne laughed, genuinely this time, the tension dissolving like steam. “Well, I’ll keep that in mind.” But as Steven gathered his things and prepared to leave, Mr. Payne’s gaze lingered on him again, that same warmth, but tinged with thought. There was something about the man’s composure, the way he carried silence like a weapon. It unsettled and impressed him at once. Luisa walked them to the door, her hand brushing briefly against Steven’s arm in a gesture so subtle even her husband wouldn’t have noticed. Her voice, however, carried its usual calm grace. “Thank you for coming, Steven. As always, it’s a pleasure to work with you.” “The pleasure’s mine, Mrs. Payne,” Steven said, his tone softer now, respectful, sincere. “Your insight remains unmatched.” She smiled faintly, her gaze steady on his. “Take care of yourself.” Princewill glanced between them but said nothing. He could feel the unspoken weight between them, loyalty, trust, and something deeper that neith
CHAPTER 114
“Yes.” His eyes flicked to her briefly calm, unreadable again then back to the file. “Good decisions take time.” Jackson exhaled quietly through his nose. “Of course,” he said, forcing a professional smile. Helen tried to hide her disappointment behind a small nod. “We appreciate your consideration.” Princewill closed the file gently. “Consideration is the beginning of trust.” His words sounded like philosophy disguised as business talk, and somehow, that intrigued her even more. Every sentence carried weight, as if he spoke only when meaning was guaranteed. When they stood to leave, he moved around the table to shake hands once more. Helen’s palm met his, it was warm, steady, confident. The contact lasted a second too long for her liking, and when she met his eyes, he was already watching her, not intently, but aware. He withdrew his hand first. “Have a good day, Miss Milton.” Something in his tone, polite, but slightly lower and it made her heartbeat skip. “You t
CHAPTER 115
Dianna turned, raising an eyebrow. “Again?” He nodded, sitting down beside her. “Yes, about the Kahuna Empire deal.” “That mystery company everyone’s whispering about?” she asked, lowering the volume. “You actually met their CEO?” Jackson leaned back, recalling the glass walls and Princewill’s expressionless calm. “Yes. Princewill. Sharp mind, very composed and very hard to read.” Dianna smiled faintly. “So… you’re impressed.” “Maybe,” Jackson admitted. “But he’s making us dance around him. Helen thinks he’s testing us.” Dianna tilted her head slightly. “Helen thinks?” He caught the edge in her tone and looked at her carefully. “She’s leading most of the pitch, you know that.” “Mm.” She gave a small, knowing hum. “And she likes him.” Jackson blinked. “What?” “Don’t look so shocked, Jack,” Dianna said softly. “I know that look. I’ve seen it before in boardrooms, when women start speaking softer around powerful men. She admires him… maybe more than she realizes.”
CHAPTER 116
Back inside the building, Princewill watched from the glass rail as the Miltons exited through the revolving doors. His expression was unreadable and calm, yet analytical. “Do you think they’ll bite?” his assistant asked quietly. “Oh, they already have,” Princewill replied. “All I have to do is keep the line loose.” The assistant smiled. “You saw the way she looked at you, right?” Princewill’s brow lifted. “Helen Milton?” “Yes. She’s…” “Ambitious,” he finished. “And ambition wears many faces… sometimes fascination is just another negotiation tool.” “Should I schedule another meeting?” “Yes,” he said after a pause. “A private briefing next Thursday, make it sound exclusive. Let them believe they’re about to enter KE’s inner circle.” He turned away from the glass, the glimmer of calculation in his eyes. “Let them believe,” he repeated softly, “but never let them in.” ****** Meanwhile, at the Milton mansion that evening, frustration mixed with cautious optimi
CHAPTER 117
Across the city, Princewill sat in his private study at KE headquarters, a glass of brandy untouched beside him. His assistant, Roland, stood nearby with a file. “They’re hooked,” Roland said quietly. “You could end it now and they’d still keep hoping for weeks.” Princewill didn’t look up. “Hope keeps people loyal, Roland. Fear only works for a while, but hope... keeps them coming back.” Roland chuckled softly. “The daughter’s becoming rather… taken with you, sir.” Princewill finally looked up, his expression unreadable. “Helen Milton? She’s perceptive. Curious. But she’s not the first to mistake intrigue for affection.” “You’re playing a long game,” Roland said. Princewill smirked faintly. “It’s not a game. It’s business. The Miltons are loud, impulsive, emotional. I need them… contained. Hope is the leash.” He turned to the window, gazing at the glowing skyline of Riverage below. The city was alive with Kahuna’s legend, but in rooms like this, control was quieter, more prec
CHAPTER 118
Friday morning arrived bright and promising, the kind of day that looked like success. The Milton car pulled up before the Kahuna Empire Tower. Reporters loitered at a distance, sensing something big, they were informed that something was going to happen and that was why they were there and wouldn't miss it. The Milton family stepped out, Harry, Helen, and Jackson all dressed in quiet luxury. Helen’s hands trembled slightly as she smoothed her navy suit. Inside, everything felt still. Even the air conditioning hummed softly, reverent. They were ushered up to the 49th floor, into a room lined with floor-to-ceiling glass. Princewill stood at the far end of the conference table, his reflection caught in the sunlight, looking composed, immaculate and unreadable. “Mr. Milton. Miss Milton. Mr. Jackson.” He greeted them with a slight nod. “I trust your week has been productive.” Harry smiled broadly. “Very much so, thanks to your call, Mr. Princewill. We’re ready.” Princewi
CHAPTER 119
By Sunday morning, Riverage City woke to an even more intense scandal. No one saw it coming, not the businessmen who dined with the Miltons, not the employees who wore their brand name proudly, and certainly not the family themselves. The storm arrived before dawn, splashed across every digital headline and printed on the front page. RIVERAGE DAILY: “KAHUNA EMPIRE REJECTS MILTON HOLDINGS OVER QUESTIONABLE ETHICS.” CNN BUSINESS: “INSIDE THE FAILED DEAL: CASINO TIES AND THE SHADOWS OF MILTON HOLDINGS.” FINANCE WATCH: “ONCE TRUSTED, NOW TARNISHED — THE FALL OF A LEGACY.” By midmorning, the Milton mansion was under siege by reporters. The driveway, lined with glossy cars, had become a battlefield of microphones and flashing cameras. “Mrs. Milton, any comment?” “Is it true your son runs illegal casinos?” “Did Kahuna’s team hand over evidence to the press?” Helen pulled the heavy curtains shut, her heart pounding. Each voice outside was another dagger of humiliation. She could
CHAPTER 120
***Days later*** The city stretched wide beneath the glass walls of Kahuna’s penthouse, lights spilling like liquid gold. The soft hum of distant nightlife was barely audible above the low jazz playing from the concealed speakers. Kahuna sat by the window, sleeves rolled up, watching the skyline as if it held secrets only he could interpret. Princewill strolled in, jacket slung over his shoulder, face glowing with mischief. He poured himself a drink before speaking. “You should’ve been there, Kahuna. It was quite the show.” Kahuna didn’t turn. “You say that after every meeting,” he said quietly, voice smooth. “This one was different,” Princewill replied, lowering himself into the chair across from him. “Because she was there.” Kahuna’s head turned slightly. “Helen Milton?” Princewill grinned. “Exactly… the ice queen herself.” Kahuna arched an eyebrow, finally giving him full attention. “And?” Princewill swirled his drink, eyes gleaming. “And… I think she’s