Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 197: Intense Masculine Hormones

Julian Grant’s laughter came through the receiver, chilling and piercing: "Excessive? Nathaniel Gallagher, when you locked Josephine away, when you drove her to slit her wrists, were you not aware of what excessive was?"

He paused.

His voice suddenly dropped, like a poisoned icicle: "You want me to back off, then fine. Go to the police now and take full responsibility for the case at Tranquil Garden Estates nine years ago. Transfer half of The Gallagher Group’s assets to Josephine. Do these two things, and I’ll withdraw all the accusations."

Nathaniel Gallagher heard this and the phone case creaked in his tight grip: "Julian Grant, you’re dreaming!"

"Is it a dream? You can try and see."

Julian Grant’s tone was casual yet carried a sense of undeniable certainty, "I’ll give you twenty-four hours. If I don’t see your confession in the news by tomorrow at this time, not only will Eleanor Churchill’s case enter the prosecution process immediately, but all those shady books from your casino, along with everything you did back then to seize territories, I will send to the prosecutor’s office one by one."

"Then, guess what, will The Gallagher Family completely collapse?"

Nathaniel Gallagher’s chest heaved violently.

The wound on his back felt like it was being cruelly torn open, the pain making his vision dark.

"Julian Grant, it’s wisdom to leave a way out for future encounters. Aren’t you afraid I’ll ruin both of us and drag you down with me?" Nathaniel Gallagher’s voice was hauntingly cold.

Julian Grant laughed, the laughter laced with disdain and arrogance, "Heh~, Nathaniel Gallagher, others fear you, but I do not."

"Ruin us both? Do you even qualify for that?"

Indeed.

From ancient times, the common folk do not contend with officials.

The connections and backing behind Julian Grant were something Nathaniel Gallagher couldn’t dare provoke, not even by pulling one out at random.

He was born with everything.

Born already standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid.

He didn’t need to struggle upward like Nathaniel Gallagher, nor engage in deceit, or fathom various schemes and hidden agendas.

Nathaniel Gallagher heard this, and a blaze of fury surged to his head.

Julian Grant was indeed too arrogant.

Roaming the world for so long, it was the first time he had been so despised.

"...Julian Grant, let’s each take a step back. I’ll send Josephine back and won’t disturb her anymore."

"But you must stop, no more underhanded actions."

Julian Grant seemed to hear the biggest joke, the laughter full of mockery: "Each taking a step back? Nathaniel Gallagher, do you think this is bargaining at the vegetable market?"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying the suppressed fury of many years: "You’ve shattered Josephine’s life into pieces, and with just ’won’t disturb anymore,’ you want to write it off in one stroke? The scars on her wrists, the pillow soaked with tears at night, the helplessness when selling her ancestral home...how do you repay these?"

"I’m telling you, it’s too late." Julian Grant’s tone was icy, "Either do as I say, or prepare to collect Eleanor Churchill’s corpse and watch The Gallagher Family crumble completely. Two choices, your pick."

Nathaniel Gallagher’s hand gripping the phone had veins bulging, nearly embedding into his palm.

Yet Julian Grant, at his core, was more stubborn than anyone.

For Josephine Thompson, he was truly willing to burn everything down.

"What if I return Josephine to you and give her enough money to live worry-free for the rest of her life?" Nathaniel Gallagher’s voice showed desperate compromise.

Julian Grant let out a mocking snort, "Hmph~, Nathaniel Gallagher, what do you understand besides money? Josephine never wanted any of this."

"Now, for all the grievances and harms she suffered, I will fight for justice on her behalf."

Nathaniel Gallagher paused for a long time before he could no longer hold back, "Julian Grant, I am speaking to you with calmness right now."

"I just said, leave a way out for future encounters, don’t push people to the brink."

"If you’re sincerely negotiating peace, feel free to name your terms, and I will not bargain. But if you insist on blowing this up, then it doesn’t matter to me either."

"But don’t forget, Josephine Thompson and her grandfather are in my hands. If you don’t stop, I guarantee you won’t see her from this moment on."

On the other end of the line.

Julian Grant suddenly went silent, the air seemed to freeze for a few seconds, then erupted with a thundering roar: "Nathaniel Gallagher! Just try touching her!"

"If you dare harm even a hair on her head, I will drag you, and that woman in ICU, along with the entire Gallagher Family, to hell!"

Nathaniel Gallagher held the phone, but a cold, hard smile formed at the corner of his mouth: "I don’t want to harm her. But Julian Grant, even a rabbit will bite when cornered. You’re pushing me to the edge, and there’s nothing I won’t do."

He paused, his voice carrying a fierce determination: "Josephine Thompson is your weakness, Eleanor Churchill and The Gallagher Family are mine. You insist on using your weakness to trade for my foundation, then let’s see who can’t hold out the longest."

"You think I won’t actually do anything to her?"

Nathaniel Gallagher’s voice was low, like a venomous serpent spitting: "If I could take her from your side back then, I can do it again. Worst comes to worst, we both go down, and no one walks away unscathed."

Julian Grant’s breathing came through the receiver, heavy as a bellows, obviously infuriated.

After a long while.

He finally spoke through gritted teeth, each word seemingly squeezed out between his teeth: "Nathaniel Gallagher, you truly are insane."

"Likewise." Nathaniel Gallagher coldly chuckled, "Now, can we calmly discuss conditions?"

Julian Grant was silent for a full half-minute.

So long that Nathaniel Gallagher thought he was about to hang up when he finally heard Julian’s icy voice: "Return Josephine safe and sound, and I can temporarily suppress Eleanor Churchill’s case. But someone must take responsibility for the Tranquil Garden Estates matter. You get the people involved back then to turn themselves in, and I’ll withdraw the casino charges."

"Also, 30% of The Gallagher Group’s assets must be transferred to Josephine. This isn’t a transaction, it’s compensation."

Nathaniel Gallagher’s back pain flared again, his brows furrowed deeply.

30% of the assets, over 200 billion.

He’d be insane to agree.

"...I need time."

"I can send Josephine back, but who will confess must be my decision. As for the assets, such a large amount can’t be transferred in a short time. Besides, you know The Gallagher Group’s assets are mostly fixed and not easily liquidated."

Julian Grant pondered for a moment, finally yielding a step, "Alright, send her back first."

Actually, as long as Josephine can return safely.

Everything else doesn’t matter to him at all.

Nathaniel Gallagher drew a deep breath, "Julian Grant, Josephine is injured and currently under treatment, she can’t fly yet. I promise, as soon as her health improves, I’ll send her to you immediately."

The breathing on the other end of the line grew suddenly heavier.

Then came Julian Grant’s voice suppressing extreme emotion, like squeezing through his teeth: "Nathaniel Gallagher, you better pray Josephine is safe and sound."

"Don’t play tricks."

Nathaniel Gallagher cut him off, "I’ll have my assistant send you daily videos of her to prove she’s unharmed. But if you dare lay a finger on Eleanor Churchill or The Gallagher Family during this time, the video will become your last farewell."

Julian Grant was silent for a few seconds, seemingly restraining his fury, eventually squeezing out two words from his teeth: "Better be."

"Then that’s it."

The moment the call ended.

Nathaniel Gallagher felt as though all strength left his body, leaning back against the chair, breathing heavily.

The pain in his back made his vision go dark as cold sweat trickled down his temple.

"Julian Grant..." he murmured the name, his knuckles cracking.

"You want to see The Gallagher Family fall, I’ll make sure The Grant Family takes a fatal plunge from the pinnacle of the pyramid first."

Recalling Julian Grant’s defiant demeanor.

Thinking of how determined he seemed to have Josephine Thompson.

Nathaniel Gallagher loathed him to his very bones.

"Heh~, Julian Grant, you think I’m not fit to ruin us both? I’ll show you how I, Nathaniel Gallagher, crush your proud family and connections piece by piece."

Nathaniel Gallagher was fueled by hatred.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz..."

The phone vibrated, several WeChat messages coming in.

He glanced instinctively, they were from Evelyn Thorne.

[Hi~, long time no see, what have you been busy with lately]

[I really miss the indifferent Mr. Gallagher, I still really like you]

The unavailable is always in turmoil.

Evelyn Thorne has always had lingering feelings for him, texting and calling him every so often.

Although he never replies to her texts or answers her calls.

But he never deletes her number, which keeps Evelyn holding onto hope. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Nathaniel Gallagher finished reading the messages and stared at the screen, lost in thought.

Evelyn Thorne and Julian Grant grew up together as childhood friends.

The two families are equally matched in status, and they are family friends.

If one wants to bring down The Grant Family, it’s necessary to start with the Thornton Family.

For a long time.

Nathaniel Gallagher replied to Evelyn’s message:

[Thanks for your concern. How are you lately?]

When the success notification for the message appeared.

Nathaniel’s fingertip paused on the screen for a moment.

He is well aware of Evelyn’s obsession with him.

It’s a mixture of conquest and curiosity wrapping tightly around her like vines, growing wild with just a hint of response.

And he is expert at controlling women.

Eleanor could sacrifice for him, Josephine would give everything for him.

Similarly, Evelyn wouldn’t escape.

Sure enough, within half a minute, Evelyn’s message exploded onto the screen:

[!!! You actually replied? Mr. Gallagher, I thought you had forgotten about me]

[I’ve been pretty bored lately, being forced into blind dates at home, it’s so annoying. And you? Do you really love your current wife? Come on, right? You don’t love me, young and pretty as I am?]

The probing and subtle jealousy in the words felt like needles pricking the screen.

Nathaniel curled his lips, yet there was no real amusement in his eyes.

He slowly typed a line:

[Got time to meet up?]

The moment the send button was pressed, he could already envision Evelyn’s ecstatic expression.

This woman grew up alongside Julian, surely more knowledgeable about The Grant Family’s details, including the dirt hidden beneath the shiny facade, than outsiders.

As expected.

Evelyn’s call came through directly, with a voice brimming with uncontrollable excitement: "Mr. Gallagher, are you serious? When do we meet? I’m available anytime!"

"Tomorrow at three in the afternoon, come to Gallagher Royale, I’ll treat you to dinner." Nathaniel’s voice revealed no emotion, only deliberately softened calm.

"Great! I’ll definitely be there!" Evelyn’s voice dripped like honey, "So I won’t disturb you any longer, see you tomorrow~"

After hanging up.

Nathaniel’s handsome face displayed a hint of somberness and cunning.

"Since you came willingly, if I don’t take advantage, it would seem unappreciative..."

...

The next day.

Three p.m.

Gallagher Royale Hotel, 888 VIP Suite.

Evelyn Thorne arrived half an hour earlier, dressed in a champagne-colored long dress and adorned with exquisite makeup.

Seeing Nathaniel Gallagher push open the door.

Her eyes lit up, and her heart raced.

Nathaniel was wearing a well-tailored English suit, his hair impeccably combed atop his head. Tall and strikingly handsome, he carried an aura of nobility that made it hard for people to look him in the eye.

Evelyn stared, her gaze fixated, transforming from her usual boisterous manner to one of deliberate reservation and elegance: "Mr. Gallagher, over here."

Nathaniel smiled as he approached her, greeting gracefully, "Miss Thornton, long time no see."

Evelyn’s cheeks flushed slightly, fingers inadvertently twisting the hem of her dress: "Mr. Gallagher is even more handsome than before."

She deliberately ignored the detachment in his address, her tone carrying the jubilation of a girl, "I didn’t think you’d choose this place, I thought..."

"Thought I’d avoid people?" Nathaniel gallantly pulled out the chair for her.

Once she settled, he took a seat opposite her.

The waiter timely presented the menu.

He didn’t even glance, merely instructed the waiter: "Serve according to Miss Thornton’s preferences, and open a bottle of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti."

Evelyn’s heart skipped again.

He even remembered her favorite wine.

"Actually, there’s no need to avoid anything, we’re all friends here." Nathaniel’s gaze focused on her face, with just the right amount of concentration.

Evelyn couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter, boldly and passionately returning his gaze.

"Haha, that’s true, I thought you had forgotten about me, this friend."

Nathaniel flashed a wicked smile, breathtakingly handsome, "How could I."

Evelyn gazed at him, mesmerized, her heart racing wildly.

Ever since seeing Nathaniel’s photo.

She has been longing ever since.

Especially after seeing his ’revealing’ photo, she was unable to eat or sleep. Day and night she wanted to seize the chance to flirt with him. Moreover, having played with many men, she could instinctively tell Nathaniel was definitely her perfect match.

"Cheers."

After a few glasses of red wine.

Evelyn gradually shed her reserve, starting to flirt shamelessly.

Under the table.

Her high heel, intentionally and repeatedly ran up along his calf.

Nathaniel cut into his steak, looking at her with an amused smile.

If it were any other man, he’d probably be unable to resist, eagerly wanting to go to bed with her.

But he is the most patient and with ulterior motives, a wolf.

He wouldn’t let her succeed easily.

He wouldn’t even let her taste any ’sweetness’ from this.

"Mr. Gallagher, I’m a bit drunk, could you help me back to my room to rest?" Evelyn’s eyes filled with allure, tenderly whining.

"Drunk so soon?"

"Mm~, I’ve never been good with alcohol, oh~, my head’s spinning."

Saying this.

Evelyn staggered to stand up, recklessly throwing herself into his arms.

Once she got close, she indeed acted completely drunk in his embrace.

Such solid chest muscles, strong male hormones, such firm abs...

She greedily and indulgently touched and hugged.

Dreaming day and night for so long.

Today, she must conquer him...