Chapter 13

• Leila
• I met Darren's gaze, unflinching. "I definitely won't do anything immoral that threatens others," I said. "I won't sniff around. I promise. Just lend me 8 billion and everything will be cool. Plus, this money is not borrowed in vain; I will return it to you with interest in three years."
• Cassius' anxiety flared, and he wedged himself between us, a frantic wall of muscle and nerves. "That's impossible!" he snapped. "8 billion, with 17% interest per year, the total principal and compound interest will be 12.8 billion after 3 years. As a woman without any business sense, can you afford it? Aren't we guaranteed to lose money? And what shall we do if you can't afford to pay us back? Going to your husband Alpha Lucas and cry about it?"