Chris stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and looked up coldly. "What brings you here today, Mr. Johnson?"His tone was frigid, laced with an undeniable sense of danger that demanded attention.Randall had anticipated Kathryn's presence here, believing he could assist them by elucidating the entire situation to Chris as an elder figure. Now, with Kathryn's abrupt escape, he felt exasperated about how to approach explaining the situation. Regardless, they had to address the matter since they were already here.Randall glared at Tally fiercely. "Tally, get down on your knees!"The room descended into an eerie silence, with both Tally and Chris too taken aback to utter a word. Tally, in particular, gazed at Randall in disbelief after a moment of astonishment. In a hushed tone, she inquired, "Dad, what are you doing?"She couldn't believe that Randall had asked her to get down on her knees. She thought he was exaggerating.Getting down on her knees in front of Chris would be t
The living room fell silent instantly. Tally trembled with fear, her heart pounding as she awaited her fate. Chris, who was sitting on the couch, casually asked, "Is that all?"Tally sensed a significant undertone in his question, one that was both perilous and chilling."S-She's pregnant as well."Regret coursed through Tally the instant those words left her lips. She wished she could have held her tongue.In a strange way, she felt a slight relief that Kathryn had run away. In her heart, she earnestly hoped that Kathryn had managed to escape far enough to evade the clutches of the menacing man before her.Randall began to apologize fervently to Chris, repeatedly asserting that he had only learned about it that very night. He went on to explain that if he had been aware earlier, he would have immediately compelled Tally to come and apologize.Tally had harbored a sense that events would unfold in this manner, yet she remained profoundly frightened by the events of that ni
Kathryn had no idea how to explain her way out of this one to Chris. The escape plan she had devised earlier in the day had vanished from her mind as she impulsively fled the car and into the chaotic traffic.Kathryn suspected that Chris had likely already reviewed the surveillance camera footage, making it challenging for her to provide an explanation for her impulsive actions."C-Can I don't go back?" Kathryn asked. She had the urge to cry.Jordan frowned. "I'll ask Mr. Albert to fetch you, then?"Kathryn couldn't bear the thought of Chris coming to retrieve her. The prospect was torturous, and she knew he wouldn't forgive her easily unless she could provide a compelling reason.As she recalled Chris' cold, impassive expression, Kathryn felt as if she were on the verge of losing her sanity. She had no other choice but to follow Jordan and climb into the waiting car....As they contemplated Kathryn's actions from earlier that afternoon, the child safety lock in the car had bee
Tally felt like she was on the brink of madness when Chris informed them that they would only learn about the fate of Johnson Group in three days. "Mr. Albert, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean it. I wanted to help Kathryn to get an abortion too, but …"The living room's atmosphere instantly turned frigid when Tally mentioned abortion, and she fought back tears."Kathryn simply couldn't bring herself to get rid of the child. If you really don't want it, there's still time for her to get an abortion.""Shut up!"Randall was about to lose it, desperate for Tally to cease her dialogue, sensing that her words were exacerbating the situation. He dreaded that the consequences could escalate if she persisted.He quickly pulled Tally up from the ground and immediately led her out of the room. As she passed by Kathryn, Tally reached out and clasped her hand, saying, "Kathryn, I'm sorry. I can't protect you anymore.""Hurry up and leave!" Randall had the urge to knock her out to take her
Kathryn remembered that Tally was on her knees when she entered the room. She wondered if Tally had confessed everything to Chris.She recollected that Randall had also been present, and Tally had likely disclosed nearly everything to him as well. Kathryn's heart pounded in her chest as she considered this.Chris remained silent, and an eerie silence pervaded the air.Kathryn could no longer withstand the uneasy atmosphere. She gritted her teeth and said, "It was me who was in Northvale that night."Kathryn had finally reached this point, driven by the relentless pressure from Chris. She had done her utmost to safeguard her house and bank savings, and the thought of losing them left her deeply distressed. She couldn't forget the hardships she endured while saving for the down payment on her house.Regret gnawed at her, but she realized she had reached her breaking point, especially when she recalled the scene of Tally on her knees moments ago. She had no choice but to reveal t
Chris knew Kathryn and Tally had been covering for each other, no matter the circumstances during that period. His smile deepened. He assumed that Kathryn was able to survive all these years because she had Tally by her side.Kathryn's head dipped even more upon learning that Tally had admitted everything. "C-Could you please don't give Tally a hard time?""You're still going to defend her?""I threatened her back then. I told her I would kill myself if she won't help me.""Let me remind you, you're in a difficult position yourself now," Chris remarked ruthlessly.Kathryn was stunned again. She was suddenly aware that she couldn't save her own skin after what had just happened, let alone focus on Tally's situation.Regardless, she remembered how Tally tried to defend her just now and became even more determined. "It's true. I've indeed threatened her to do that."Chris scoffed."Just vent your anger on me if you're angry. This really has nothing to do with Tally."Kathryn co
Chris nodded.Kathryn gazed at Chris in disbelief. She couldn't fathom how he had accepted her request so readily. In the past, she would have faced severe consequences for something like this, possibly even risking her life, let alone her job, house, and bank savings."When did I not keep my promise?""Of course not. You've always kept your promises." Kathryn had become cheerful instantly. Her eyes, which had been filled with fear, were bright with happiness at the moment."But how do you think I should punish Tally?"Kathryn was speechless. The emotions that had begun to well up with happiness were abruptly frozen in her chest."I-It really has nothing to do with her!" Kathryn stammered anxiously.She had considered confessing to Chris on several occasions before. Still, her fear that Tally and the Johnson Group would become entangled in the situation had led her to keep it a secret until today. Kathyrn noticed that Chris looked unmoved. She wanted to continue speaking, b
That was … Besides, hadn't Randall said Chris would go easy on them for being honest? Why did things look so bad? Tally really regretted her choice now. They'd turned themselves into lambs for the slaughter, all because of Kathryn.Nervously and with conflicted feelings, she turned to Markus. "Um, do you plan to keep your promise? You said you'd help protect Johnson Group if I earned ten million for Skyline Group.""What I said was I'd help you keep the secret, wasn't it?"Tally fell silent. Come to think of it, that was indeed what he had said. Feeling the pressure of the rapid interrogation, Tally couldn't hold back any longer and confessed the truth."Seriously, why did you go and confess like a stupid person?""It wasn't me! It was my dad!" Tally wanted to cry just thinking about it. Her father might not have managed Johnson Group very well, but he was an honorable man.She must have gone mad. Why did she ever tell her father the truth? What was she going to do? "Is the