Chapter 222 Larry’s Provocation

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    Chapter 222 Larry’s Provocation

    47

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    Larry nced at the horse beneath Sloane, a flicker of something dark shing in his eyes, though he kept a gracious smile on his face. “So, Sloane prefers spirited horses…”

    He deliberately stretched out the words, his gaze turning pointed as it slid toward Lucas. “I happened to acquire a purebred Ferghana just a few days ago. There’s only one like it in the world–exceptionally rare. I’ll have someone deliver it to Ms. Rivers tomorrow.”

    Lucas‘ grip on the reins abruptly tightened; his gaze turned to ice. “I appreciate Mr. Larry’s generous offer, but Sloane doesn’t need it.”

    “That’s not quite right, Mr. Hawthorne,” Larry replied with a lightugh, tapping his riding crop against his palm. “As far as I know, you and Sloane are no longer engaged. Whether she epts a gift or not should be her decision. What standing does Mr. Hawthorne have to refuse on her behalf?” He put deliberate emphasis on the word “no longer engaged,” and the people behind him began whispering among themselves.

    Nightshade suddenly pawed the ground restlessly. Sloane gently stroked her neck to soothe her, then lifted her gaze, clear and sharp as a de. “Mr. Larry, I really don’t need it.” Her fingers brushed over Nightshade’s sleek mane, her voiceced with barbs. “After all, I don’t ride just ianyone’s /ihorse.”

    Samson let out a snort ofughter and rode forward to break the tension. “Mr. Larry, how about giving that Ferghana to me instead? I’ve got thick skin–I’m not picky with gifts!”

    Benjamin chimed in seamlessly. “Count me in. I could use a fine horse to boost my image.”

    The two of them went back and forth, turning the confrontation into something almostical.

    Larry’s expression darkened slightly, just as Lucas suddenly reached a hand toward Sloane. His ck glove brushed past hers on the reins; he pulled a gold–fletched arrow from her quiver and nocked it on his bow.

    “Since Mr. Larry is here, I assume he’s also interested in game-“The bowstring thrummed, and the arrow whistled through the air, embedding itself three inches deep in an oak tree a hundred meters away, startling a flock of cold crows into flight. “Care for a match?”

    Leaves rustled down from the treetops. Larry eyed the arrow buried deep in the trunk, then suddenly burst intoughter. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

    The match began. Lucas and Larry each spurred their horses into the woods; the tension between them was palpable.

    Chapter 222 Larry’s Provocation

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    Neither was willing to yield. Arrows shot through the air one after another, and game after game dropped to the ground.

    Whitney followed behind Larry, but her gaze stayed fixed on Lucas‘ back. When she saw Sloane at his side, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.

    Lucas and Larry were evenly matched; the assistants trailing behind them could barely keep up with collecting their kills.

    Midway through thepetition, Sloane suddenly realized Jill was missing. She nced around, a faint unease tightening in her chest.

    She remembered Jill being right behind her just a moment ago–how had she vanished in the blink of an eye?

    Sloane looked toward Lucas, who was riding ahead, then decided to search on her own first.

    She turned her horse away from the main group and rode off.

    “Jill! Jill!” Sloane called out, her voice echoing through the woods–but there was no response.

    Her chest tightened as she urged her horse forward, retracing their path. But even after covering a long stretch, she saw no sign of Jill.

    Before long, she spotted a lone shoe on the ground. She dismounted to pick it up—sure enough, it was Jill’s.

    Sloane looked in the direction the shoe hade from, and her heart sank. She recalled what Lucas had warned her, the mountain was newly developed, and the deeper areas hadn’t been fully explored. There could still be wild animals inside.

    iJill /iididn’t /iiwander /iiinto /iithe /iirestricted /iizone/ii, /iidid /iishe/ii? /irmed, Sloane didn’t waste another second. She turned her horse and bolted toward the zone,

    Not long after she disappeared from view, a chestnut–colored horse poked its head out from behind a nearby tree.

    Deep inside the restricted area, the forest was thick, the light dim. Sloane rode as she shouted loudly, “Jill! Where are you?”

    Suddenly, a low, guttural growl echoed from not far ahead, Sloane’s heart clenched at once.