The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 886

"He really doesn't know when to quit, does he?"

She picked up her champagne flute and scoffed. "He's in absolute ruins, yet he still thinks he can call and harass me. He needs to take a hard look in the mirror and remember his place."

The women exchanged knowing looks, smirking in silent agreement.

Since Clive's name had been brought up, the conversation naturally drifted toward him.

"I heard he's actually quite sick?"

"Are we sure pushing him this far is a good idea? What if he decides to burn everything down with us and sues?"

It wasn't the first time they had played this game, but Clive wasn't some desperate, no-name actor or idol. He was the youngest son of the Sloan Group.

Winifred let out a sharp laugh, swirling the champagne in her glass. "What's there to be afraid of?"

"His 'billionaire heir' status is ancient history. Don't you guys watch the news?"

"The Sloan family is completely bankrupt. Every piece of property and asset they owned has been seized by the bank."

"I highly doubt they have the guts—or the funds—to go head-to-head with us now."

Hearing this, Mrs. Watson finally relaxed.

"Really?"

"I haven't been keeping up with the financial news."

"But doesn't it annoy you that he keeps calling? Why not just block his number and be done with it?"

"Block him? Why would I do that?"

"Don't you find his desperation absolutely hilarious?" Winifred asked, taking a slow sip of her drink. "He's like an abandoned stray dog. He's starving, so he comes crawling back, praying his old master will take pity on him."

Jewelry, auctions, new toys... the conversation slipped right back onto its glittering track, as if the minor interruption about a certain "washed-up" toy had never happened.

The phone lying face-down on the velvet sofa lit up weakly a few more times before going completely dark.

...

Meanwhile, deep in the jungle, the team woke up after a full night's rest. After a brief strategy meeting, they set out.

The path ahead was treacherous, and moving as a massive group made them too big of a target.

Callahan handpicked six people to form an elite vanguard unit.

Traveling light, Callahan took the lead, with Leilani following close behind. Bason and two other operatives took turns carrying Payton Larson, while Abel brought up the rear.

Payton's wheelchair had been dismantled and divided among the team, and he held his bamboo cane across his chest. Leaning heavily against Bason's back, his eyes were shut as he listened intently to the jungle around them.