Chapter 177 Quick Blackmail

His smile was all teeth, no warmth. "Threatening? No, mi amor. I'm simply reminding you of what's at stake. You wouldn't want to ruin everything you've worked for, would you?" Mariama's mind raced, trying to find a way out of this situation. But Lucas wasn't finished. "And it's not just Andre you need to worry about. What would your other clients think if they knew you were sleeping with the boss's cousin? How long do you think you'd last in this business once word got out?" Mariama felt trapped, cornered by Lucas's words and the wild look in his eyes. She had underestimated him, underestimated the depths of his obsession. Now, she was paying the price. "What do you want from me, Lucas?" she asked, hating the tremor in her voice. His expression softened slightly, but there was still a dangerous glint in his eye. "I want what I've always wanted, Mariama. You. Us. Together." He reached out, cupping her face in his hands. Mariama wanted to pull away, but fear kept her rooted to the