Chapter 461:
Eagerness flashed in Lorraine’s eyes as she imagined Christina being forced to admit defeat. If Lyman truly turned out to be Tiana’s protégé, Christina would have to issue a public apology, and Kurt would owe her five percent of Miller’s Casino shares. That kind of windfall could guarantee her family’s future for generations.
Fixing her gaze on Lyman, Christina spoke. “So tell us—how do you plan to prove you’re really Tiana’s protégé?” Before Lyman could answer, she pressed on. “And don’t bother mentioning certificates or photos—those are too easy to fake.”
Stuck for a response, Lyman faltered, realizing that Christina had just spoiled his intended explanation. After a brief hesitation, he replied, “Then what kind of proof do you want?”
Christina’s lips curved in a sly smile. “It’s actually very simple. Announce it publicly—declare to everyone that you’re Tiana’s protégé. There’s no need to do anything else. Someone will verify it for you soon enough.”
Dread churned in Lyman’s stomach. Making such a declaration would only speed up his exposure as an impostor. He forced himself to keep up his cool facade and replied with a serious tone, “I’m afraid I can’t do that. My mentor gave me strict instructions to keep my identity under wraps.”
A single eyebrow lifted as Christina’s expression turned mocking. “Is it really that your mentor forbids you to do so, or are you just a fake?”
Outrage flared on Lorraine’s face. “That’s ridiculous! I know I’ve offended you before, but you have no right to slander my mentor. Mr. Patel already explained that he must keep a low profile. Are you going to keep pressuring?”
A dry, scornful laugh escaped Christina. “Pressure? I’m only asking for proof that he’s not lying.” Her voice sharpened as she continued, “Let’s not forget—if he can’t prove he’s really Tiana’s protégé, there won’t be any public apology, and as for the Miller family…” She paused, flashing a cool smile. “No one will be handing over five percent of the casino shares.”
Lyman’s brow furrowed at those words, and he turned a sharp glare on Lorraine, his voice laced with suspicion as he asked, “What exactly is she trying to say?”
A surge of irritation washed over Lyman as he felt he had been tricked, his gaze toward Lorraine carrying a hint of coldness and dissatisfaction.
Feeling the intensity of his gaze, Lorraine instinctively stepped back, her nerves suddenly on edge. It took her a while to gather her thoughts before she found the right words to explain the situation without confirming her role in luring Lyman over just to verify his identity as Tiana’s protégé.
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Drawing a little closer, Lorraine dropped her voice and whispered to Lyman, “If you can prove you’re Tiana’s protégé, the Miller family will hand over five percent of their casino shares.”
Lyman’s expression didn’t soften, so Lorraine tried again, her voice barely above a whisper. “You have no idea how difficult it was for me to pull this off. Five percent in Miller’s Casino is no small amount…”
The casino business was a gold mine. Right up there with stocks and real estate. Owning a share meant never having to worry about money again.
Although Lyman found himself tempted, announcing to the world he was Tiana’s protégé came with its own risks. There was always a chance Tiana might show up and expose his lies, or perhaps her true protégé would step forward to question his claim, and then everything would collapse. And if that happened, he wouldn’t just fail to secure the Miller’s Casino shares, but he’d wind up with powerful enemies and watch his own reputation crumble.
Lyman said nothing, weighing his options, caught between declining just to keep up his lies and taking a risky gamble for fortune.
.
.
.