Although she didn’t have much of an appetite now, Cordy ultimately finished her steak.She was a mother and had an obligation to take care of herself, so that she could take care of Dicky.When she was done, she returned to her bedroom, where she found him deep asleep.Watching as he slept, looking ever so innocent, she decided she would not regret her choice.-Early next morning, Cordy said her goodbyes with Dicky for the time being.Dicky was still under John’s custody before John married Jessica, and Cordy wasn’t cruel enough to insist upon taking Dicky away right now.Moreover, she was convinced that it was safer for Dicky to stay with John."The car’s waiting outside," John told her."Okay," Cordy said, and patted Dicky's little cheeks while assuring him, "You’ll see me again in North City, when school starts again in a few days.""Okay!" Dicky nodded obediently.He was under the impression that his daddy and mommy would be together after yesterday.He had always been
Cordy’s eyes were red and moist, even though she tried not to look outside at John's slowly departing figure.She could not even describe how she felt… It was as if half her heart had gone missing, and she couldn’t breathe.Nonetheless, the helicopter arrived on a clearing in the suburbs in half an hour, where Patrick’s black sedan was waiting.Naturally, he brought more than one car—his security detail became stricter after that accident.Cordy alighted awkwardly from the helicopter, since it was hard walking with crutches. Just as she did so, she found a large, fair hand extended before her.She looked up to find Patrick in his wheelchair, offering her a hand. He had been maimed considerably in that accident, but she didn’t shy from leaning on his arm to get out of the helicopter, and followed him into his car.The helicopter whirled off after they left, just as Cordy realized why John insisted that his mansion was safe. It was hard to find, and chasing a helicopter wasn’
Anyone who got too close would feel intimidated by the men in black's presence, but Cordy walked up to them nonetheless.One of them spoke into the microphone attached to his lapels, and waited until the person inside gave her approval before opening the door for Cordy.The interior of the VVIP room was naturally different from the other rooms, and the extravagance of the decorations inside would leave everyone's eyes lighting up.Naturally, Cordy was in no mood to admire the elegance. She limped with difficulty up to the coffee table…where Jessica sat, elegantly taking a sip of tea.There were four bodyguards in the room with her, and two were standing right behind her. It was obvious that she was wary of Cordy. Nonetheless, there was a flash of surprise in her eyes when she saw that Cordy was alone, though she hid it well by habit."Sit," she beckoned.Cordy didn’t refuse, and sat opposite her."What would you like to drink, Miss Sachs?" "Blue Mountain." After Cordy ga
Jessica’s face dropped immediately after she took the phone and saw the photos on it.No matter how good she was at covering up her feelings, there was no question that she was incensed."What is this?!" she demanded. Cordy just said she had cut all ties with John Levine, yet now, she was showing Jessica a photo of herself in bed with him?!Was it to brag? Or to rub it in Jessica’s face?!Those thoughts only infuriated Jessica further.After all, her engagement and wedding date had been announced for a while, but there was still no spark between her and John at all—they didn’t even hold hands!"Did you really think I won't kill you, Cordy?!" Jessica growled through her teeth.Cordy ignored her and said, "I'm showing this not to prove how intimate John and I were, or to brag about it. This is just to tell you that I can make this public if you push me too far."Jessica's gaze turned cool as she studied Cordy. "To put it bluntly, if you lay a finger on the one who matters m
The only thing that could really threaten Jessica right now was John. If John were hit with a scandal and caused severe controversy, the Stuarts would annul Jessica's engagement with him to protect their reputation.However, said annulment would be a terrible loss to both the Stuarts and Jessica. The former would have their ambitions thwarted, while for Jessica, anyone could tell how crazily in love she was with John.Therefore, if the Stuarts wouldn’t hurt Cordy for that reason, Jessica would not do it either.Even so, Jessica wasn’t so easily threatened. "Did you really think my family and the Levines can't enforce a media blackout even if you publicize this? No one even knows Jay was almost killed in a car accident. You know very well that our families' influences are far beyond what you can ever imagine!""But what if it's Patrick who publicizes these photos?" Cordy asked in return.Jessica scowled, as the threat obviously registered.Cordy regarded Jessica coolly as she cont
Cordy regarded Jessica coolly while her body stiffened ever so slightly, a chill unwittingly running down her spine.Even so, she repressed the terror seizing her chest and remained incredibly calm. But even if Cordy didn’t show it, Jessica knew for sure that Cordy was afraid—no one would feel nothing in this situation."Never crossed your mind that I'd go this far, have you?" She laughed savagely. "Don't you regret dying by my hand in this fashion? I won't mind admitting trying and failing to take your life so many times, only for you to be so kind as to send yourself to my doorstep. You really shouldn't get full of yourself, y'know?""Do you think John would forgive you if you killed me?" Cordy asked her."Would he forgive me even if I don't?" Jessica asked in return. "He'd treat me the same, and it's just better for me if I eliminated a potential threat. And who knows? With you dead, maybe he'd completely give up when there's nothing left for him."Cordy pursed her lips, her
Nonetheless, Jessica didn’t give up. "Do you think you'd still be a Stuart if you did this? That your grandfather could defend you for this? Forget your grandfather—you'd be arrested! And that would be the end of your family!""If you put it that way…" Patrick muttered, clearly hesitant.Jessica's eyes flashed with smugness, pleased by her own cunningness. When it comes to the Stuarts, they never did care who they hurt and would bury their conscience when they stood to gain from something.Cordy saved Patrick's life, but so what? They would abandon family at the drop of a hat!However, that was the same reasoning that foiled Jessica's ploy, as Patrick suddenly said, "Actually, it just occurred to me… If this stalemate continued, your grandfather or brother would order you to kill Cordy anyway. I’d kill you in retaliation, which gives them the excuse to have me arrested immediately, since that would leave my family leaderless and powerless against yours. They'd kill so many birds
Cordy couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief after following Patrick back to his car.She was a lot less calm as she appeared—but no one would really be fearless when facing down a barrel.All she could do was endure, and tell herself that Patrick was worthy of her trust.If said trust was misplaced…so be it."I thought you weren't afraid," Patrick teased, though his tone soon turned stern. "Did you really think yourself invincible, going in to face Jessica alone?!"Cordy turned to look at him. "You came, didn't you?""You'd be dead if I didn't give you that transmitter," Patrick told her somberly.It was only fortunate that he had been thoughtful, and knew that Jessica was the type who wouldn’t let anything stop her from getting what she wanted."Actually, I had you escort me so that you’d protect me. But I won't mind coming alone either," Cordy admitted.Patrick did a double take, and his tone changed. "Does that mean you knew I'd protect you from the start? That I'd prote