Both men were glaring furiously at each other, neither backing down just then.At the same time, John's grip on Cordy's hand was visibly tightening.He would never hand her over to anyone else!"Are you sure you're protecting her?" he asked Patrick through his teeth just then, sounding clearly sarcastic. "If you were, she wouldn't be here.""It has nothing to do with him—I decided to come myself." Cordy defended Patrick right then.John closed his eyes. "Cordy…""We're partners, and we just have to work together to achieve our own ends—sentiment be damned. That's why I'm here tonight, to do what benefits us the most, so please let me go. I still have places to be," Cordy continued and shook her hand to free herself from John's grip.But John was not letting go, nor was he listening to anything she said. "I'm taking you to the airport right now."Turning back towards Patrick, he bellowed, "Move!"Patrick did not. He simply stood in John's way without a word.But he just might
Alan demanded, "I've had enough of your antics for one night, John! Let go of her right now!""I'll return once I've sent her home!" John shot back."You, sending Cordy home? In front of everyone attending the Stuarts' charity ball?!" Alan barked. "Do you even understand that you're humiliating them?! If Cordy hadn't been smart enough, you would've already ruined your own reputation! I have never been this disappointed in you!""For once," John replied bluntly.Alan was left bristling by John's reply right then, and his face suddenly flushed, as if he could not breathe just then."Please calm down, sir," Lawrence said, immediately noticing Alan's condition after serving Alan for years. "The doctors already mentioned that you shouldn't get agitated because of your high blood pressure. You've already had a stroke before, and the consequences would be devastating if it recurs…"John calmed down slightly as well when he saw Alan's condition.However, he was not letting go of Cordy e
After returning to the ballroom, Cordy and Patrick headed straight for the main entrance. Somehow, Cordy had to admit that after a couple of seemingly nonchalant rubs by John, her ankle felt much better in contrast to the pain from the sprain earlier. As such, she could walk much better now.That was when Patrick made a joke. "I didn't think you were that compliant, Ms. Sachs."Naturally, he was referring to her giving in to John's insistence. However, she was not being compliant or anything—she simply decided to leave and therefore had no reason to drag her feet.But before they could really leave, a man suddenly appeared out of nowhere, greeting Patrick respectfully. "Mr. Stuart, Mr. William Stuart would like to see you now. Could you please come with me?" Patrick narrowed his eyes at the thought of meeting the brother of his grandfather and turned toward Cordy."I can leave on my own," she said shortly. "Please arrange a chauffeur to send me to the airport."Patrick hes
Cordy did not turn to look, since John was basically one of the hosts for tonight's charity ball—it would be unacceptable if he did not contribute."1.1 million." Someone continued the bid."1.2 million.""1.3 million.""One and a half million," John said, raising his auction paddle again.Everyone could tell right then that John was going to get that ring, one way or another. The crowd started to whisper among themselves, knowing then that they would never beat John. Since they were not winning anyway, they would make more enemies if they made more bids.Moreover, they were all shrewd people and had no reason to keep bidding at this stage."One and a half million! Calling once, twice, three times! Sold!" The auctioneer exclaimed excitedly. "Mr. Levine, please come on stage to accept delivery of your charity auction item."John walked up and took it from the auctioneer, but just as he was about to turn and leave, the auctioneer stopped him. "A moment please, Mr. Levine. I h
Cordy blinked and a tear inadvertently trickled out of the corner of her eye.But even as it fell to the floor, her lips were curled upward—she was at once relieved and heartbroken.Patrick took her hand right then and left without hesitation.John watched as the two figures went further and further away…-With Patrick with her, the security guard at the entrance did not dare to stop them.In the end, the so-called rule was only enforced depending on the person.With that, Cordy got into Patrick's car, and they headed to the airport.They were silent along the journey. Patrick glanced at Cordy's cool, beautiful face just then.If she had been emotionally affected at the ballroom before, she was calm and unfettered now."Aren't you curious what William summoned me for?" he suddenly asked, breaking the silence just then.He was not sure what she was thinking, but was also suddenly reluctant to see her being so aloof—as if she could not get interested in anything.She shoul
Was Patrick… afraid?! Even though he was a seasoned veteran who had seen action countless times?!The car continued to shake even as it sped forward, and both of them seemed to float in their seats for a split second whenever it did. Still, Cordy did not ask further questions and quickly took the phone off Patrick's hands.When her fingers brushed against the back of his hand, Cordy's heart skipped a beat when she felt that it was almost scalding.However, she did not have time to think—she took the phone off his hands and asked urgently, "Who should I call?""Ben Wick," Patrick replied urgently.Cordy quickly found the name Ben Wick on his contact list and pressed the dial button.As soon as she did, their car suddenly steered into a powerslide before screeching to a stop. Patrick's phone slipped from Cordy's fingers and landed on the floor beneath their seat with a clatter. At the same time, the chauffeur was crying out nervously, "Hold on, sir!"There had been a truck d
The car continued to bump around rapidly.Inside, Cordy and Patrick were fully focused and unable to make small talk at all.Cordy stared through the window at the pitch blackness outside, unsure where they were heading.They seemed to be heading somewhere isolated, and they could not even recognize if they were on a mountain road or some route near a small town.There was simply nothing on both ends of the road, but the chauffeur continued to speed the car ahead, unable to stop at all.Their pursuers were giving chase relentlessly and would slam into them if the chauffeur slowed down, leaving everyone in the car in pieces.As such, the interior of the car was deathly silent, almost suffocatingly so.They could only hope that help would reach them in time.Otherwise…Suddenly, Cordy's face fell. Patrick and the chauffeur had the same look too.A truck suddenly sped out of nowhere in front of them, its glaring high beam flashing at their eyes directly.The chauffeur had to
William nodded subtly, and James tacitly understood.Holding up his phone, he said, "Good. Pull out."It was over. As he put away his phone, he turned and noticed Jessica watching him, and he gave her a nod.Jessica's smile could hardly be hidden.She then looked around, looking for John.After getting off the stage following the announcement of their wedding day, John excused himself to the washroom.Someone came along to offer her a toast, so she did not go along with John.It had been a while, too… Why was he not coming back yet?Jessica felt a foreboding sensation right then and rushed to the washroom to find John. She did not care at all about propriety and dashed into the men's room directly without a pause, searching fervently for any trace of John.But no, he was nowhere to be seen.Flustered, she rushed back to the ballroom, and everyone who saw that look on her face was left perplexed. As the host of such an occasion, her bearing certainly left her looking undig