C7 Lower Your Head

Royse resided in the most opulent presidential suite at the Stars Hotel.

The suite's decor was the epitome of luxury, with the ten-square-meter bed in the master bedroom crafted entirely from premium yellow rosewood.

He watched Tracy, who was visibly uneasy, and offered her a reassuring smile.

Already on edge, Tracy's fear intensified under Royse's desirous gaze. She trembled like a small creature beside a formidable predator.

After six years of estrangement from his family, Royse had also abstained from intimacy for the same duration.

Now that Tracy had willingly come to him, he was open to the possibility of something happening between them.

Despite struggling to contain his eagerness, Royse noticed Tracy's apparent lack of experience and gently offered her an out, "If you're having second thoughts, it's not too late to back out."

Royse had no intention of exploiting someone in a vulnerable state; he wouldn't coerce her if she was unwilling.

Tracy had mentally braced herself, yet she hesitated when the moment arrived.

The thought of her father, sick in the hospital bed, steeled her resolve.

"I'll go take a shower first..." she blurted out before hurriedly escaping to the bathroom.

Royse chuckled to himself and stepped out onto the balcony, gazing over Minston's enchanting nocturnal landscape.

The city's night view was mesmerizing, with streams of traffic weaving into luminous ribbons stretching into the horizon.

Overlooking the throngs of cars and people, Royse felt an inexplicable sense of disorientation.

Here he was, a scion of the Stewart Family, poised to inherit a fortune in the billions and potentially control a third of the world.

He could dictate the fates of countless lives!

Yet, he couldn't shake off a deep-seated aversion to the limitless authority and wealth at his fingertips.

"Mr. Stewart..."

A shy voice snapped Royse out of his reverie.

He turned to see Tracy, clad in a loose nightgown, the neckline slightly ajar to reveal the allure of her décolletage.

Below the hem of her knee-length gown, her alabaster legs stood out gracefully, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, shimmering enticingly in the light.

Her innocent visage was flushed with a rosy hue, betraying her embarrassment.

She was waiting for Royse.

Royse had already transformed into a ravenous creature, lunging at her with hunger.

A night of wild abandon ensued...

It was well into the next afternoon when Royse finally stirred from his slumber.

Upon opening his eyes, he found Tracy nestled in his embrace, her visage still flushed with the remnants of passion.

"Mr. Stewart, you're awake," she noted.

"What time is it?" Royse mumbled, still groggy.

"Just after noon," she replied.

For six years, he'd risen at dawn to scavenge through trash—today marked the first time he'd slept in so late.

Royse inwardly chided himself for his newfound laziness.

Throwing back the covers, he rose, only to be startled by the bloodstain blooming on the sheets.

Tracy, catching his gaze, turned crimson with embarrassment and quickly draped the blanket over to shield it from view.

Royse offered a reassuring smile. "Since you've given yourself to me, I'll honor my promise to you. I'll visit your father at the hospital shortly."

Tracy should have been elated, yet her complexion turned ashen.

"This is a transaction, Tracy. Don't overthink it. We both entered this agreement willingly," she reminded herself, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss.

Silently, she got up and assisted Royse with his clothing.

Royse could guess at her feelings but chose to remain silent.

Clive had prepared an extravagant French feast for them.

After savoring the meal, Clive approached with a question, "Young Master, how should we handle the individual in the lobby?"

Royse was momentarily taken aback, then recalled that Axel was still detained in the lobby of the Stars Hotel. He had nearly forgotten him.

Descending to the lobby, he observed that the bed had been removed to avoid disrupting business.

Axel was left squatting by the indoor fountain, too afraid to move.

Axel had considered calling his father for rescue the previous night, but realizing even someone as esteemed as Clive showed utmost deference to Royse, he decided against it.

It wouldn't have made a difference. His family might wield influence in Minston, but against the national power of the consortia, they were insignificant.

After a sleepless night, Axel caught sight of Royse emerging and quickly approached him.

"Mr. Stewart, I'm truly sorry for any offense I've caused. I've ended things with Emmie. Please, let me off the hook."

Axel's demeanor was one of deep contrition as he earnestly apologized. He was known for his bravado among his peers, but faced with someone of greater strength, he quickly adopted a groveling attitude.

Royse saw right through Axel's act, recognizing him as nothing more than a scoundrel. Though he was conceding defeat outwardly, Royse knew Axel was likely scheming inside.

"Look, Axel, I'm not without reason. You disrespected me, and I've made you pay for it. We're square now. But if you're still entertaining any crooked ideas, I won't just be dealing with you—I'll bring down the entire Turner Family. Got it?"

Royse gave him a stern warning, making it clear that any future provocations would not be taken lightly.

"Understood, completely understood. I know you can't stand me, but from now on, I'll make sure to stay in line and not cross you again."

Axel was the picture of submission, nodding and bowing like a chastened dog.

"Fine, go on with your business."

With that, Royse dismissed him and left the Stars Hotel with Tracy.

Clive had intended to provide Royse with a chauffeured car, but Royse declined, opting instead to ride with Tracy to Minaton Hospital.

Minaton Hospital, not the public facilities, was the premier medical institution in Minston. It was established decades ago by Chen Jitang, a medical sage, and had since thrived under the diligent management and innovative efforts of his descendants.

Years of dedication had turned Minaton Hospital into a leading Chinese institution, renowned for its integration of teaching, research, and treatment.

Naturally, the hospital's high standard of care came with a steep price tag.

Tracy's father was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as "gradual freezing syndrome," a terminal condition beyond the reach of current medical solutions.

Even the esteemed doctors at Minaton could only manage and decelerate the disease's progression, not cure it.

The financial toll of such an illness was like a bottomless pit, and Tracy's six million was unlikely to last long against the exorbitant costs of care at Minaton Hospital.