"Why?" Cordy asked, working hard to keep herself calm."I'll explain when I get back," John replied. "Are you going to announce your wedding date?" Cordy asked bluntly. John was left silent for heartbeats, while Cordy made herself very clear. "It's already expected. It doesn't affect me at all.""That's not all—""You're scarily selfish, John," she said, putting weight behind every word.John felt suffocated right then.At the same time, Cordy continued, "Whether this marriage is by your will or otherwise, Jessica Stuart considers you her partner now. It’s a legitimate relationship, so why would you keep clinging to me? Is this fair to her? Sure, I'm not that much of a saint to sympathize with someone who wants me dead, but it still disgusts me how irresponsible you can be—to her and to me.""I will never marry Jessica Stuart," John repeated, his tone somber and obviously repressing his rage. "That's your business," Cordy snapped, losing control as well. "You can do whateve
Jay said, "Johnny would never hurt you.""Well, he’s really testing the limits of my patience!" Cordy snapped, and shut the door violently in his face. Jay pursed his lips; he could see Cordy's rage. He wasn’t sure if John would ever earn Cordy's forgiveness from this.Behind the door, Cordy's heart was ablaze even as she repeatedly told herself to calm down and think of a way to leave.She wasn’t about to let anyone do whatever they wanted to her, let alone someone like John!Her eyes narrowing, she called Patrick."What time are you arriving? I'll be there to receive you," he said, as forthright as ever."I can't make it. There's people stopping me."Patrick paused for a moment, but soon asked, "John Levine?""Yeah.""And you need my help.""That’s right.""I'll be right there," Patrick said without hesitation."Okay."Cordy hung up, pinning all her hopes on Patrick.-When Cordy opened her door in the afternoon, Jay was still standing outside along with the bodygu
Cordy didn’t chase Jay away after lunch, nor did he volunteer to leave.He stayed on the couch, watching the television while Cordy worked in her study.It was an amicable sight, though Jay had been yawning many times as he sat on the couch.He would never admit to himself that he had been losing sleep, even going sleepless on occasion.Still, he shouldn’t be this sleepy…Deciding that television might be too boring, he whipped out his phone to browse through videos and news articles, which were all obsessing over the Stuarts' charity ball tonight.Even as he browsed through everything, Jay's eyelid was drooping; he soon fell asleep with his phone still in his hand. Cordy stepped out of her study and watched as Jay lay on the couch, his breathing turning rhythmic.She had spiked his pasta with sleeping pills—she had some ready in her house, since she lost sleep on occasion too.Still, the pills worked faster than she had expected. She had been under the impression that it wou
Two men emerged from the black car ahead, stopping their car.The bodyguard in the backseat noticed, too. "I'll go take a look."He got out of the car, intent on making things quick and leaving.At the same time, Cordy’s palm was sweating as she put it on the door handle. She watched as the bodyguard alighted and walked several paces away, before opening the door and rushing out.The other bodyguard in the driver's seat noticed immediately and got out to try to stop her, only to watch her run into the black car that had been tailing them for a while. It sped away even as he tried to reach it; there was no way for him to chase the car down, especially since his car's way was blocked. Scowling, he had no choice but to dial a number to report. "I'm sorry, Mr. Levine, but Miss Sachs escaped."-Cordy's heart was racing even after she made it into Patrick’s car.She took a deep breath to calm herself. Patrick sat beside her with a faint smile.Cordy frowned as she turned towa
Many people were gathered outside the Stuarts' charity ball even before the main event; there were countless scores of journalists, fans, spectators, and security personnel.It was a grand sight that could beat any celebrity gala. Soon, a black Rolls Roys stopped at the edge of the red carpet. Inside, Patrick was watching Cordy, who sat beside him.He was with her as she got changed after they left the hospital, and she was breathtaking in that emerald gown—no man could resist staring.And yet, Patrick wasn’t any man—he showed focus, and remained respectfully distant with Cordy. "Shall we?" he asked.Cordy pursed her lips, a little emotional.She came, pulling every trick in her book in doing so, even though John did all he could to stop her.She had no idea how he would react when he saw her…but she was not obliged to care, either. "Okay," she said confidently, looking up at Patrick.A faint light shone over her black eyes; they dazzled like the stars, leaving Patrick mes
Patrick kept smiling faintly, giving an impression of politeness and refined elegance. "I feel like I'm really on the red carpet for the first time," he whispered into Cordy’s ear as he did. "And it's all thanks to you. I'm sure John wants me dead now.""Eyes on the road," Cordy snapped, though she was smiling too.Patrick's smile broadened, while journalists captured every moment of their interaction, bombarding them with questions as they approached. "Mr. Stuart! Why are you attending the charity ball with Miss Sachs? Is there a special connection here?""Mr. Stuart! Rumor has it that your grandfather, Monty Stuart, was taken ill. Will he be attending the ball?""Mr. Stuart! It was alleged that your family has a special surprise announcement in store for us, aside from the charity drive. Would you care to tell us what it is?""Miss Sachs! What's your relationship with Mr. Stuart? Are you attending this charity ball as Mr. Stuart's companion, or did the Stuarts extend a speci
Noel was attending the charity ball too, but as board chairwoman of Sachs Enterprises. Sachs Enterprises would never make the list of the Stuarts' grandest annual charity ball, and it was Jessica who had personally extended an invitation to Noel. Jessica said that since they were partners, she should give Noel more opportunities if it was within her abilities.Noel was beside herself with joy, and went out of her way to brag in front of her family. After all, she was no longer staying at the family's mansion, having bought herself another that was much grander than theirs.Still, Sue met her in private. She appeared to be happy for Noel, saying that she and Noel could finally hold their own in the Sachs family. She also added that Plum had been kept miserably in house arrest at the mansion by Simon himself. Despite all her fawning, it was clear Sue wanted to win Noel over and take a cut of the Sachs's family estate. However, Noel was no pushover. She grew up watching Sue, and kne
While every journalist swarmed towards John and Jessica, Patrick asked Cordy softly, "Are you alright? Can you walk?""I'm fine," Cordy said, pivoting her ankles a little—it hurt a little, but it wouldn’t affect her that much."Don't push yourself," Patrick told her."I'm not," Cordy replied, determined."Okay." Patrick shrugged, and said nothing else. Cordy straightened herself in turn, and put her hand around Patrick's arm again and entered the hall.Behind them, John and Jessica naturally saw them and the rather intimate exchange. "I'm surprised my cousin’s already so close with Cordy," Jessica said, seemingly nonchalant.John didn’t react at all, as if he didn’t care.Or perhaps he just didn’t want to show it in front of Jessica.Jessica controlled herself in turn—she was going to announce the date of their wedding tonight, anyway.Over the past month, her grandfather William Stuart had been determined to push the issue. John himself had stayed at Rocktown the entir