The class continued as it should, even though she came to campus with a battered face. In the first class, Shanon managed to hide her face well behind a mask. Her friends were quite satisfied with her answer that she had a cold. She was safe for the first two hours without Sarah's annoying questions because Sarah wasn't enrolled in a macroeconomics class. But in Financial Econometrics class, she couldn't avoid Sarah at all because Sarah was even waiting for her in class with an angry face.
“Where were you last night? I looked for you like crazy in the club. I asked the bartender, and he said you went out with a guy. And you're a bit drunk. Is it true?"
"Yeah, I was taken home by Jonathan."
“What did you guys do last night? This morning I even tried calling you again, but you still didn't pick up. Did you fuck a stranger in Anthony’s bed?”
“Shut up. You make my head hurt."
“And why are you wearing a mask?”
“Where did all the CCTV footage go? Why didn't anyone notice someone sneaking into my grandfather's house?” Anthony shouted at his assistant on the phone. He pounded the table in his office angrily. Everyone suddenly became shit and messed up his emotions. He was angry more than three times in one day. He was sure that his blood pressure had increased and had broken through normal limits.“All CCTVs were under maintenance that day. There is no CCTV footage of the night Mr. Jeff’s dead.”“Shit! How did it happen? I'll call the CCTV company.""The maintenance was at Mr Jeff's own request. Nothing bad happened during this time. Mr Jeff didn't see any harm in turning off the CCTV for a day."“Fucking shit. Does anyone know about CCTV maintenance?"“Everyone in the house knows. But I'm not sure who else outsiders would know about it.”"What about the CCTV around my grandfather's house?"
“Sorry, have you seen Shanon?”"No. She wasn't in micro-economics class today.”"Okay, thanks."Sarah sat restlessly in her chair. She glanced at her watch several times while hoping that Shanon would appear at the door of the classroom. It was supposed to be the third class Shanon had to attend. But, Shanon had not appeared. If Shanon hadn't skipped her first and second classes, Sarah would still be calm. But skipping three classes at once, that wasn't Shanon's habit at all. She was an honor student who preferred coming to class rather than sitting lazily at home. Shanon would not leave class unless there was something urgent to do. And all this time, Shanon always called her if she couldn't come to campus.Sarah then grabbed her cell phone to call Shanon one more time. There was still no answer from Shanon. She had been trying to call Shanon since yesterday afternoon. She felt bad because she had to leave the sad Shanon to watch the ba
“Mmpppffhh...”"What? I can't hear you.”Calvin grinned seeing his prisoner moving around brutally. With her feet and hands tied to a chair and her mouth gagged with cloth, there wasn't much Shanon could do but growl and hurt herself.“Aren't you tired? You've been doing that all night.”Shanon looked at Calvin who was squatting at her feet with hatred.“Look, you have blisters on your ankles because you keep moving brutally against the rope.”Shanon shuddered in horror when Calvin's fingers caressed her legs and continued to move upwards. She tried to kick Calvin with her tied feet, but that didn't stop Calvin from touching her at all.“I know your marriage to Anthony is fake. You're just a bitch who was paid by him to pretend to be his wife. And coincidentally, I haven't been with a woman for a long time.”Shanon widened her eyes in surprise. Calvin leaned towards her whil
"Are you sure this is the place?""No doubt. We tracked his location through the last signal emitted from his cell phone before he threw it away or destroyed it.”Anthony arrived at Calvin's cabin at exactly six in the morning. He lurked from behind a tree with two men from the security agent. Anthony decided to hire them instead of calling the police because the agents were much more capable than the police, who tended to be lazy. Anthony had proven for himself how badly the police had performed in investigating the case of his grandfather's death. Until now, he had not heard from Jim Peterson. Anthony was getting tired of waiting. He preferred to do it his own way. It was faster and more effective.“Whatever happens, Calvin is mine. I won't kill him, so I'll need you guys to handle him after I free Shanon. Dying was much easier for him. Meanwhile, I want him to feel the punishment slowly. You understand?"“Understood, sir.”
"Good morning, professor."“Hmm... Are those flowers?” Anthony lowered the book he was reading.Shanon had just stepped into Anthony's treatment room with a very beautiful bouquet of white lilies. Shanon smelled the fresh aroma and put them in a vase to replace the wilted red roses.“Of course these are flowers. Are you disoriented?”Shanon giggled softly. She remembered when Anthony first regained consciousness after surgery to remove the bullets in his waist and arm. Anthony became a strange and ridiculous man. His genius brain was still covered in drugs. Anthony looked dazed and lame at that time. He couldn't recognize Shanon clearly and even tried to get acquainted with her. Anthony then praised her as beautiful before he groaned in pain from moving too much. Shanon bet him a hundred dollars that Anthony wouldn't like it if other people saw his lame side, but Shanon had seen it. Shanon wanted to laugh at him at that moment, but
Shanon straightened the blanket covering Anthony's body and sighed softly. Anthony was fast asleep in his bed after eating and taking medicine. Shanon was grateful that Anthony wasn't fussy at all that afternoon. They spent more than an hour in the garden breathing fresh air and watching the people passing by. Anthony looked happy to be back in civilization. It was his first experience of being hospitalized for more than three days with serious injuries that made him almost paralyzed.Shanon rubbed the top of Anthony's head and kissed his forehead gently. She smiled, thinking about the things that had happened in their lives in the last few months. Sometimes Shanon still couldn't believe that she was married to her professor and living with him.This summer break felt different for her because she wouldn't be sitting at home and not working as usual. This summer she would spend her time taking care of Anthony and meeting all his needs.Anthony had not discussed
Shanon let tears roll down her cheeks as everything about Avery and her family started to creep into her mind. She was lost in thought, looking at a pair of birds from the kitchen window. She was so jealous of the birds and hoped that one day she could be like them. She wanted to be free to live her life without having to feel afraid or anxious if one day Anthony found out her secret.“Watch your fingers when using a knife.”Shanon gasped in surprise. The knife she was holding fell and almost hit her leg, while Anthony grabbed her wrist.“You almost cut your own finger.”Shanon looked dazed for a few moments before she pulled her hand from Anthony's grip and bent down to pick up the knife.“Sorry, I must have surprised you.”“I think you're the one surprised, not me.”Anthony followed Shanon's movements, who was washing the knife in the sink. He frowned at the tears streaming down her ch
The trial had started about half an hour ago when Anthony entered the courtroom. Calvin was on the main podium in an orange prison jumpsuit. Everyone, including Calvin, turned towards the door when Anthony stepped into the courtroom accompanied by his lawyer, Dave Hammilton.Anthony grinned slyly at Calvin, who was looking at him with a look full of hatred. He finally succeeded in kicking the man away from his family tree.“I want my grandfather's name removed from his name. He is no longer part of the Bruce family.”“The judge has granted your request. He confessed to all his crimes so far and they are enough to rot him in prison for life.”“Great. That's what I want. He is a parasite in my family.”The judge had just knocked the gavel on his verdict on Calvin. The man lost all his rights in the Bruce family, including the entire inheritance in his name from Jefferson Bruce. All inheritance was returned to Antho
Shanon frowned in confusion when she saw Anthony suddenly stand up and throw the napkin on the table. He hadn't finished eating his steak and hadn't touched the wine, but Anthony suddenly left the table in a silent anger that confused her.“Hmm... I think he's sick of having a wife like you. You show the affair too bluntly in front of him."“You've really drained all my patience, bitch. If you can’t say proper words, you better shut your damn mouth.”Shanon moved her chair back and stood up.“Shanon, where are you going? Your ankle is sprained. I will help you.”“No, Jamie. I can handle it. You just keep eating here.”With unsteady steps, Shanon walked out of the dining room. She was so angry that she wanted to hit something. If Annika wasn't her friend, she would have happily punched her sister-in-law in the damn mouth who had been messing with her since this afternoon.Shanon walked to
Shanon was happy because her relationship with Anthony was quite conducive throughout the afternoon and evening. They didn't leave their room after Anthony got a bruise ointment. They spent their time lazing around in bed, cuddling. Shanon enjoyed a very calm moment with Anthony with the sight of a snowstorm that made the entire landscape outside the window very white. They could barely see the mountain ranges or trees that were usually clearly visible from Shanon's room.At seven, they finally went out of their room because they were starting to get hungry. Anthony held Shanon's waist tightly and led her down the stairs because Shanon refused to be carried by him. Shanon's friends greeted Anthony in friendly tones as they passed each other near the stairs. Shanon was very grateful because she didn't run into Jammy at all while walking down to the dining room. That would be a very awkward moment. Shanon hoped they could return to Boston as soon as the storm passed.&ld
Anthony jumped down from the helicopter with solid footing. He brushed off the sunglasses that framed his eyes and rolled his gaze to the range of snowy mountains that spread out around him. Everything was white and a little misty. Anthony turned towards the magnificent villa that stood on flat land at the top of the hill. The villa was quiet. Anthony told the pilot to wait because he wasn't planning on staying that night. He just wanted to take Shanon home right then and there. He thought about it while they were still in the air. He wouldn't let Shanon stay at the villa any longer with her ex-lover and immediately took her home.“Are you one of Mrs. Sarah’s friends?”"Yes. Where is she? Where is everyone?”“They were skiing on the hill.”"When are they coming back?" Anthony asked impatiently.“I think they'll be back at lunch.”Drake looked at Anthony's appearance from head to toe. All black
Shanon appeared exactly five minutes later in a white and blue gradient ski outfit and furry hoodie. Shanon carried goggles and other ski equipment in both hands.“They gave me this before I came out.”“Sarah and Stevan make sure their friends have everything here. Let's go. Our friends left half an hour ago.”“They must be at the top of the hill. Why is there no cable car here?” Shanon started to complain just a few steps after her shoes hit the snow. The combination of uphill roads and very thick snow made the walk feel five times more difficult than just climbing up a steep mountain.“Where's the fun if you just get on the cable car and glide? The journey from the bottom to the top is more amazing than just gliding.”“Really?”As far as Shanon could see, she only saw pine trees and rocks covered in snow. Shanon wondered whether Anthony was a ski fan or not? She had seen Anthony s
“Morning, Shanon.”“Morning, Josie.”“It seems you didn't sleep well last night.”Shanon put her ass on one of the empty chairs next to Joselyn and her husband. Most of the other round tables were already filled with other couples. Shanon caught a glimpse of Sarah and Stevan sitting with Justin and his girlfriend.“Yeah, I think so too. I woke up with a very tired body and mind. I need some coffee.”Right after Shanon said that, a housekeeper came in with a pot of very fragrant coffee and started filling her empty cup with coffee that made Shanon's mouth almost drip."Thanks."“What would you like for breakfast, ma'am? We have pancakes & bacon, hashbrown & sausage, and smoked beef omelets.”“I want a smoked beef omelette with hashbrown, can I?”“Sure. I will be right back."Shanon leaned her back against the back of her chair whi
After making sure Sarah didn't follow her, Shanon dashed to her room and plopped down on her king size bed as soon as she arrived at her room. She rolled herself up like a fetus. She felt that the bed was too big to sleep on alone. She had never felt so vulnerable when she was away from Anthony. She was always fine while living alone in New Heaven. She had never missed Anthony so much. But, that night she felt vulnerable and missed Anthony so bad. She needed to hear Anthony's voice.Shanon rushed to grab her cell phone on the nightstand. She deactivated airplane mode and dozens of notifications started flooding into her phone. It took Shanon ten minutes to wait until the notification ringtone died down, and her cell phone returned to silence. Shanon then pressed the speed dial to call Anthony.“Anthony…” Shanon's voice sounded hoarse and wet."What's wrong with you? You turned off your phone, and you suddenly called me with puffy eyes?”
Something big?Shanon thought Jammie was just joking to scare her or intimidate her. She didn't have any inkling as she went into the dining room with the dress code Sarah had set for that evening. A silk nightgown for the women and silk pajamas for the men. Sarah seemed inspired by their summer vacation at Joselyn's villa. At that time, they had a pajama party and played a snakes and ladders game all night while eating various kinds of snacks that they brought from their respective homes.But for tonight, Sarah had modified it a little. She didn't make her female friends wear pajamas, but instead nightgowns, as a sign that they were no longer teenagers, and that they were adults with integrity.“Welcome to the pajama party.”Shanon's jaw dropped as she entered the common room. The room was on the first floor, second hallway after the hall. The room looked really amazing with a gold interior and walls covered with gold wallpaper. The
Shanon quickly forgot everything Jammie said as she was busy welcoming her friends who came to the villa that day. They reminisced while screaming and hugging because it was the first time they had met since graduating from high school.“Anna Hughes! Oh my gosh, I can't believe it's you.”“Sarah, thank you for inviting me and my boyfriend.”“Hi Anna. Are you pregnant?”“Oh, our Shanon genius! And yes, I'm pregnant."“Oh, congratulations to you, darling!” Shanon hugged Anna warmly.She then hugged Aaron, Anna's lover.“Welcome to our humble Villa. Please follow Tobby to your room.""Thanks."Not long after Anna and her lover went to their room in the right wing, Drake arrived from the airport with three couples. Joselyn, the blonde woman, got out of the van for the first time and screamed excitedly as soon as her eyes caught the figures of Shanon and Sarah.
Anthony's voice on the speaker startled her. Shanon hurriedly opened the door wider and asked Jammie to come into the villa. Shanon then turned her back to Jammie to talk to Anthony."I have to go," whispered her.“Hey. Is he one of your friends?”Anthony caught a glimpse of Jammie's face over Shanon's shoulder. Anthony narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his wife's movements.“Yeah, he's one of my friends. I have to find Sarah or Drake to get them to prepare a room for Jammie. I'll call you again tomorrow. Love you.”Shanon sighed softly. She didn't know why she suddenly became that nervous just because Jammie came while she was on a video call with Anthony.“Did I interrupt you with your boyfriend?”Shanon choked up hearing Jammie's voice so close to her ear. She hurriedly turned around and smiled awkwardly. Her face turned red when she was stared at so intensely by Jammie."That was my husba