He Got Engaged to His First Love On the Day I Died-Chapter 40: Lips, a Fatal Poison

Rhys Lawson was the boss of the Vantage Group.

His identity and status couldn’t compare to Theodore Grant’s.

But he held the one piece of land Theodore Grant wanted most.

Theodore had already offered an absurdly high price, but Rhys Lawson still wouldn’t let go.

If he couldn’t acquire this land, the Grant Group’s projects for the coming year would be unable to move forward.

This would directly cause the Grant Group to lose over ten billion.

Tonight, he was determined to secure it.

"Mr. Lawson."

Theodore Grant approached Rhys Lawson to greet him, holding Natalie Morgan’s hand.

The man’s gaze on Natalie Morgan was filled with a mixture of awe and urgency. It was clear he was eager to get to know this impossibly beautiful woman.

"And this is..."

"Her name is Nattie."

Theodore didn’t introduce her with a title.

The intimate name was enough to signal his intentions.

Rhys Lawson was a sharp man; of course he understood.

His gaze was bold and his desire obvious as he extended a hand. "Nattie. A pleasure, a pleasure."

Natalie Morgan flirtatiously swept her hair back and placed her small hand in his, a pair of sweet dimples appearing at the corners of her lips. "Mr. Lawson, a pleasure."

"I never expected Mr. Grant to have such a beautiful woman by his side. It truly makes me envious." Rhys Lawson said, holding Natalie’s small hand without letting go.

His gaze roamed greedily over her delicate face.

Her red lips were like a fatal poison, making him ache for a taste.

No matter how much Natalie Morgan refused to believe it, she had no choice but to accept that tonight, Theodore Grant was planning to offer his own wife to this man.

Something inside her shattered.

The sound was deafening in the silence.

Rather than let her tears fall worthless, it was better to smile and accept it all.

"Mr. Lawson, would I have the honor of this dance?"

Natalie Morgan asked, her eyes curving into a smile.

Rhys Lawson eagerly took her small hand and led her to the dance floor. "The honor is all mine."

As the music started, his large hand eagerly wrapped around Natalie Morgan’s slender waist, occasionally caressing her thin back.

Theodore Grant’s eyes followed the pair relentlessly.

His expression held indifference, anticipation, and an undeniable undercurrent of jealousy and bitterness.

His secretary, Noelle Bell, approached. Watching the two on the dance floor talking and laughing, she said, "Mr. Grant, Rhys Lawson’s eyes are hooked on her. It seems he’s quite pleased with Natalie Morgan. We’ve definitely got the land in the bag tonight."

Theodore Grant didn’t say a word.

Noelle Bell continued, "Mr. Grant, I’ve already booked the room. I’ll discreetly give the room key to Mr. Lawson in a moment. I’ll pass him the contract at the same time. Natalie Morgan will understand what we mean."

Theodore Grant’s brows furrowed.

His expression suddenly darkened.

A storm brewed in his eyes.

"Is ’Natalie Morgan’ a name for you to use so casually? Did I say she was going to sleep with him?"

Noelle Bell froze.

She blinked a few times. "Mr. Grant, then what you mean is..."

’It can’t be... he’s having second thoughts again, can he?’

As his secretary, she felt the need to remind him. "Mr. Grant, we’ve had over a dozen negotiation sessions with Mr. Lawson for this land. It’s been incredibly difficult. You know how important this land is to the Grant Group. If... your wife... can help secure it, it would be a great service to the Grant Group and to you."

Theodore Grant remained silent.

His fists clenched tightly.

A murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

Because he saw Rhys Lawson’s large hand slip under the waist of Natalie Morgan’s cocktail dress, his fingers caressing her bare skin.

Noelle Bell saw it too.

But in the world of business, it was nothing to be alarmed about.

Using a woman to secure a contract or facilitate a partnership was a common trick of the trade.

The only difference this time was that the woman was Natalie Morgan.

The dance ended.

Rhys Lawson kept a hand lightly on Natalie Morgan’s waist as they walked away, talking and laughing. They seemed to be hitting it off.

And Rhys Lawson’s hand never once left her body.

"Mr. Grant, so about that room key..."

Theodore Grant gritted his teeth and forced out a few words. "Give it to him. I’d like to see just how much courage he has..."

Noelle Bell pursed her lips.

’He’s the one who sent her over in the first place. It’s not like Rhys Lawson is an idiot; of course he knows what it means. So what if he’s being cuckolded? It’s worth it if it means advancing a project for the Grant Group worth tens of billions. Besides, it’s not like he loves Natalie Morgan anyway.’

"Yes, sir."

Noelle Bell, dressed in professional attire, approached Rhys Lawson and Natalie Morgan, carrying a briefcase and walking in her high heels.

With a calm and composed smile, she took a land transfer agreement from her bag and handed it to Rhys Lawson. "Mr. Lawson, our Mr. Grant has shown such great sincerity. If you’d please take a look at this contract..."

Rhys Lawson pushed the contract aside and jutted out his chin. "I’m in the middle of a very interesting conversation with Nattie. We can discuss this later."

"Mr. Lawson, you should take a look. There’s something inside you might not expect."

Noelle Bell offered the hint.

Rhys Lawson received it, his eyes darkening. "In that case... I’ll take a look."

He took the contract. On the very first page was a room key for the Riverden Grand Hotel and a few condoms.

He understood immediately and smiled, closing the contract. "I accept Mr. Grant’s gesture. I have to sell this land to someone, and I’d feel much better selling it to Mr. Grant. Secretary Bell, please thank Mr. Grant for me for such a generous gift."

As he spoke, his gaze once again fell on Natalie Morgan’s face, then slowly and brazenly drifted down to her chest...

"You’re too kind, Mr. Lawson. As long as you’re pleased, we’re happy," Noelle Bell said with a smile.

Natalie Morgan watched as she was traded between the buyer and the seller. Her eyes reddened, slowly filling with tears. She quickly looked up, trying to hide the damnable emotions.

Rhys Lawson was very talkative, especially when it came to boasting about his prowess in bed.

Natalie Morgan feigned a foolish smile, her mind already far away.

Noelle Bell returned to Theodore Grant’s side and gave him an "OK" sign. "Mr. Grant, Mr. Lawson accepted the room key. He said he’ll sign the contract after... things are settled."

"Let’s go."

He turned and left without a shred of emotion.

Noelle Bell glanced over at Natalie Morgan and Rhys Lawson, then followed Theodore Grant out.

Once inside his car, Theodore Grant was overcome with irritation.

Just as Noelle Bell was about to open the car door to get in, he snapped, "Take a cab home."

"Oh."

The driver and Noelle Bell were left standing there.

He slammed on the gas and the car shot forward.

He hadn’t driven far before he pulled over to the side of the road. He ripped off his tie and closed his eyes, an image of Natalie Morgan and Rhys Lawson in bed flashing before them...

Suddenly, he gasped for air twice.

He took out a cigarette, brought it to his lips, and lowered his head to light it.

His chest felt like it was on fire, his heart squeezed by an invisible hand, leaving him breathless.

Before he had even finished the cigarette, he slammed on the gas again, cranked the wheel, and drove back to the entrance of the banquet hall.

Rhys Lawson’s car was still there.

Theodore Grant rolled up his window and stared, unblinking, at the exit.

An unknown amount of time passed.

People began to leave the banquet one after another.

Rhys Lawson was quite drunk.

One arm was slung around Natalie Morgan’s shoulder, while the other gestured wildly as he spoke, his words unintelligible.

Natalie Morgan gently supported his waist, tenderly and carefully helping him into his car before getting in herself.

"Fuck."

Theodore Grant slammed his fist on the steering wheel.