Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 261

As soon as Victor finished speaking, he glanced over at Adrian—he’d noticed him the moment he walked in.

While chatting with Selene, Victor strolled over to a cabinet, opened it, and took out a box of cigars.

He handed one to Adrian, putting on a sycophantic smile. “Mr. Shaw, you’re always so busy—what brings you here today to keep my daughter company?”

Adrian’s long, elegant fingers—almost sculptural—took the cigar. He gave a low chuckle. “Mr. Thompson, that’s not quite how it’s done.”

Victor caught the hint instantly and quickly produced a lighter, sparking the cigar for Adrian.

Smoke curled lazily upward. Selene frowned slightly, and without missing a beat, Adrian stubbed out the cigar and tossed it in the trash.

He slipped off his jacket before sitting back down next to Selene.

Selene bit the tip of her tongue. When she was pregnant, she’d been exposed to Harrison’s secondhand smoke more times than she could count.

She’d tried to talk to Harrison about how harmful it was, but Gemma had overheard and snapped at her: “Only country folk make such a fuss.”

Harrison was a heavy smoker—he claimed he needed it for his nerves. As his wife, she was expected to be understanding.

She'd protested once, only to have him snap, “If you don’t want to smell smoke, stay away from me!”

Ironically, it was only when Dames, their daughter, developed a sensitivity—coughing and tearing up at the faintest trace of smoke—that Harrison finally stopped smoking at home.

All of that felt like a lifetime ago.

“As the lead on this acquisition project,” Selene said, her voice clear and calm, “I’ve brought two buyers to Thompson Victory Technologies. The first is Zentek Innovations, backed by the Lunaris Group. Zentek is willing to offer $1.2 billion for the acquisition. Here are the details of their offer—please take a look.”

To Adrian, Selene’s voice was music.

It wasn’t until he stepped into the president’s office at the Lunaris Group earlier today that he realized Luke Holloway was the real power behind the curtain. And the name “Lunaris”? It was unmistakably inspired by Selene.

“The other buyer,” Selene continued, “is Gravitech Solutions—Mr. Shaw’s company. He’s offering $2 billion, with the promise to retain all current staff and departments, ensuring Thompson Victory Technologies operates independently under new ownership.”

Victor snatched up the Gravitech proposal, flipping through the pages. He muttered, almost in disbelief, “Two billion? Mr. Shaw, what makes you value our company so highly?”

Adrian leaned back in his chair, utterly relaxed. “Just hoping to see a certain lady smile. Consider it my gift to Selene.”

Victor’s gaze darted between Selene and Adrian, suspicion and intrigue mingling in his eyes.

Adrian added, “Selene is my girlfriend. As long as she’s happy, why wouldn’t I do this?”

Victor stared at Selene in shock.

“You and Mr. Shaw…”

He’d been wracking his brains, trying to set Selene up with divorced middle-aged businessmen—anything to marry her off quickly and gain leverage for the Thompson family.

He’d never dreamed his eldest daughter, the one he’d always underestimated, would land such a prize.

“Selene, you’ve outdone yourself!” Victor grinned, stroking his chin as he praised her.

Around the table, the other executives exchanged loaded glances—so this was why Adrian Shaw had stayed single all these years: he had his eye on someone else’s wife.

Victor could barely suppress the grin tugging at his lips as he picked up the Gravitech proposal again.

Without another word, he spun and bolted out the door.

Everyone in the conference room was left speechless.

*

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Clayton was busy setting a patient’s cast when his phone rang. He sucked in a sharp breath, yanked off his mask, and hurried out.

“Surgery’s on hold—I’m off to the airport!”

“Doctor? My leg!” the patient called after him, hopping on one foot in a panic.

*

Back in the meeting room, Selene frowned in confusion. “Who’s he rushing off to meet?”

Adrian answered, “I saw the name ‘Gwyneth’ on his phone.”

One of the executives checked his own phone and announced, “Gwyneth Lockridge is back!”

The whole room erupted in shock.

“That’s Mr. Thompson’s one that got away—no wonder he dropped everything and ran.”

Selene and Adrian exchanged a look. She’d certainly heard of Gwyneth before.