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The Billionaire's Last Obsession series 166 Summary After the camp's meal ended, a heavy silence settled over the mountain encampment. Lillian, lying in her tent, used her spiritual sense to ensure everyone was asleep before quietly slipping out dressed in a black tracksuit and cap. She made her way to an unguarded cave entrance, relying on her night vision to navigate the dark, rubble-strewn tunnels. At the cave's farthest point, Lillian pressed her palm against the ground, connecting with a massive vein beneath the earth.
The energy drain was intense, leaving her pale and exhausted as hours passed, but she remained determined to extract the vein's power. Suddenly, voices echoed nearby-guards searching for her, suspicious of her nighttime absence and accusing her of sneaking around with hidden motives. Lillian calmly confronted the men, using a plausible excuse about insomnia and curiosity to deflect suspicion. Despite their doubts and Red's hostility, her youth and casual demeanor made it hard for them to believe she posed any real threat.
She revealed just enough information about the vein's progress to reassure Richard, who then ordered the men to resume digging. As the men left, the old man Nicholas complimented her gambling skill, to which Lillian responded with a cold, guarded answer about luck. She made it clear she had no interest in rewards and intended to return to school once the ivory was uncovered, warning them never to seek her out again. The men watched her leave, frustrated by how difficult she was to control, realizing that losing her would be a significant blow.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter 166: Drawing Out the Vein The meal had come to an end, and gradually, the camp settled into a heavy silence. Nestled deep in the mountains, the stillness felt almost tangible, broken only by the distant, eerie calls of wild creatures echoing through the night air. Inside her tent, Lillian lay stretched out on an inflatable mat, eyes closed as she quietly scanned the surroundings with her spiritual sense. By the time the clock struck two in the morning, most of the camp had slipped into a deep, undisturbed slumber.
Only a handful of men remained awake, stationed as guards. Once she was absolutely sure that no one was stirring, she sat up carefully, pulled a sleek black tracksuit from her belongings, and tucked her long hair beneath a well-worn baseball cap. Her footsteps were soft and measured as she slipped out of the tent, fading seamlessly into the shadows. Her destination was the cave, its entrance left unguarded-since they had yet to strike any ivory, nobody bothered to keep watch. Inside, the darkness felt thick and oppressive, rubble strewn haphazardly across the uneven floor.
Relying on her keen night vision, she navigated the winding tunnel with practiced ease. At the farthest point, she crouched low, hesitating for a moment before pressing her palm firmly against the ground. She willed the vein into her space, and immediately, her hand was locked fast, as if fused to the stone itself. No matter how much she tugged, it wouldn't budge. The vein was enormous, and it drained her energy at an alarming pace. Minutes stretched into hours.
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As the sky outside began to lighten with the first hints of dawn, her face had turned pale, almost ghostly, her strength nearly spent-yet her palm remained stubbornly fixed to the earth. Suddenly, footsteps echoed at the cave's mouth. "Has anyone seen the girl from yesterday?" Richard's voice carried sharply down the tunnel. "No, sir. No sign of her nearby," came the reply. "What about inside the cave?" "No one's checked in here yet." Then Red's sharp, suspicious voice cut through the silence: "I told you she couldn't be trusted. Yesterday she said she was just going for a walk.
Most likely, she was scouting the area-and now she's run off." "Hmph. Where could a child possibly run in these mountains?" an older man scoffed dismissively. "Search inside. She might be hiding here." Their footsteps drew closer and closer. Lillian's heart pounded wildly in her chest. A cold sweat trickled down her temple. Then, through the darkness, Red's voice cracked, furious and accusing: "You-what are you doing here?" By sheer luck, the energy transfer ended at that exact moment. Snatching up a loose stone, Lillian turned with a casual smile.
"Didn't we spend half the day digging here yesterday? I couldn't sleep, so I came back for another look. What, do I have to file a report every time I step inside the cave?" The scattered stones at her feet seemed to lend weight to her excuse, and suspicion visibly softened on their faces. Red's anger simmered beneath the surface. This girl-just a few words, and all doubt vanished. "Sneaking around here at dawn, and you expect us to believe you have no secrets?" Lillian tossed the stone aside, fighting to suppress the exhaustion gnawing at her bones. "Are you serious? I'm only fifteen.
What kind of secrets could I possibly have? You really think I brought explosives to blow up your precious mine? Try using your brain for once." The others exchanged uneasy glances. She had a point-she was just a schoolgirl. How much harm could she really cause? If only they understood the truth-that this very girl had already drained the richest vein of ivory beneath their feet-they would be choking on their regret. Richard studied her closely, then asked with unexpected gentleness, "So?
How much longer until the vein is fully exposed?" "Not long," she replied, pointing to the striations on the rock and the moss clinging to the stones. "Maybe half a day, or until dusk at the latest." Her words flowed smoothly, the details perfectly rehearsed, though in reality, she had already seen everything with a single glance. Relieved, Richard nodded and ordered his men to resume digging. As they filed out, Nicholas-the weathered old man-muttered hoarsely from beneath his hat, "Ms. Lillian, your gambling skill is remarkable.
Do you have some special technique?" Her smile was cold and sharp. "Isn't that a ridiculous question? Gambling with stones is always part knowledge, part luck. If I've been good at it, it simply means I've been lucky. What else is there to say?" The old man's voice slid out like ice. "Then Ms. Lillian's luck is truly extraordinary. I look forward to working with you." This girl was slippery-her words slick and smooth as oil, impossible to grasp. "Don't bother," she said flatly. "Once you dig up your ivory, I'm going back to school. I don't want your rewards.
Just don't ever come looking for me again." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away. The men watched her retreat, their faces dark with frustration. Could she really be only fifteen? So difficult to control. If she couldn't be brought to heel, she was a loss they simply couldn't afford. Conclusion The chapter closes on Lillian's quiet defiance and unyielding spirit, a young girl caught in a world far beyond her years yet navigating it with a blend of cunning and resilience.
Her solitary struggle against the draining vein beneath the earth mirrors the emotional weight she carries-tired but unbroken, determined to see her mission through despite the looming suspicion and distrust around her. The tension between her youthful innocence and the hardened environment she inhabits deepens the emotional complexity, highlighting themes of survival, secrecy, and the blurred lines between vulnerability and strength. As the men reluctantly accept her explanation and return to their labor, the chapter leaves a lingering sense of unease and anticipation.
Tensions simmer beneath the surface, with suspicion and frustration mounting among the men who underestimated her. Will her carefully crafted facade hold, or will cracks begin to show as others grow wary of her elusive nature? The emotional stakes rise as Lillian navigates this dangerous game, caught between survival and the desire to protect her secrets. Meanwhile, the looming presence of the ivory vein and the relentless digging hint at a brewing conflict that may soon erupt. As alliances shift and motives become murkier, the characters' true intentions will start to reveal themselves.
Expect subtle power plays and charged confrontations that will test loyalties and challenge the fragile trust in this remote mountain camp. The coming moments are charged with uncertainty, and every decision could tip the delicate balance toward chaos or control. Cedella Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes.
Cedella's storytelling style is immersive and addictive-perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
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