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Chapter 11

ผู้เขียน: VictoryAnne Vice
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-02-02 08:24:57
[Addison]

I sit there stunned for a moment, processing his words. "$500,000," I repeat, flabergasted.

"Yes," he raises an imperious eyebrow, tilting his head to the side. "Is it not enough? I can go as high as $650,000"

As a legal assistant in my family firm, I only make around $120k per year. If I were to dust off my law degree and go back to work full-time as a lawyer, I might make $250,000. Maybe more if I left the family firm to work for one of the more prestigious firms in the city.

And this man, this stranger, is offering me twice that just because his niece likes me.

It’s a very generous offer. Too generous. There has to be a catch. Nobody gives something like that away for nothing in exchange.

“Mr. Grant,” I wipe my eyes one more time with his handkerchief and look at him skeptically, “While I appreciate your offer, what exactly do you want me to do that would be worth $500,000 per year? Do you need a new lawyer?”

Looking at his fine suit and jewelry, and his extravagant get-
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  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 12

    [Hunter]There is something about Addison Stone that is different from any other woman I have met.She is smart and strong, beautiful and brave. She didn't hesitate before jumping into the road to sweep Livy up into her arms, protecting my niece from the oncoming traffic. Addison didn't think twice about the harm that could have come had she not moved quickly enough. It was completely selfless. Even in my other work, I rarely find someone who dives into trouble without assessing all of the risks. But this woman did, for a child she didn't even know. And when I tried to reward her for saving Livy's life, she refused me offhandedly, as if saving a child is something that anyone would do. But she's wrong. Most people freeze when faced with impossible situations. It takes a special person to run towards the danger. She's exactly the kind of person I want standing by Livy's side. As I step out of the hospital, my assistant, Reggie, is waiting by the door. He is impeccable as always, as

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-03
  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 13

    [Addison][BACK AT THE HOSPITAL]I grip the phone tightly as Tracy, the woman who was once my closest friend says something I never thought I'd hear. "I hate to be the one to say this but," Tracy pauses, "I think he might be cheating on you." Everything stops. My heart, my breath. What would make Tracy think this? What could have been so damaging that she'd consider this possibility before anything else?"Let me explain..." she begins to unravel a tale of confusion and mistaken identities. When she had seen the two of them in the parking lot from her office window, she had gotten very excited. She and I had been very close in college and she remembered how much I wanted to start a family right away. Michael didn't want to, he wanted to start the firm first, and it was Tracy who held me when I cried about that discovery, only a month before our wedding. "I was hoping he was there with you, because, you know, you have always wanted kids. This woman and Michael seemed very friendly. F

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-04
  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 14

    [Addison]"How can you think that," my heart drops as the depth of his accusation seeps into my bones and the last of my righteous anger drains from my body. "I would never..." my heart is breaking, what is left of it falling into a thousand pieces. "Why would you...?""Because you're jealous," my husband says as he continues to spew his accusations. "Evelyn told me everything. She even showed me the messages you sent, threatening her if she came near me or our son. Jayson told me you made him play outside at night, and that the kidnappers almost got him too if Evelyn hadn't saved him."I should be mad. I deserve to be mad. But at hearing Michael's lack of faith in me, the last of my resolve evaporates like mist.And now my son is lying to protect her as well, making up stories to defend Evelyn. "I never said or did any of those things," my voice deepens, exhaustion settling into my bones. "I'd never put Jayson at risk. We were outside playing because he demanded we go out and then h

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-05
  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 15

    [Addison] I didn’t hear a response to my email. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. With the way Michael has been doting on Evelyn, he was probably too busy to read it. Making another attempt to get him to respond, I sent an email letting him know I was being released tomorrow and that I needed him to come by to at least sign the divorce papers. He did reply this time. “We’ll talk later,” is all the message said, an automatic response he has set in his phone at the press of a button. He didn't even bother to read it. As promised, Tracy showed up twenty minutes later with a pizza box. I laughed out loud when she pulled out a bottle of beer hiding in the recesses of her purse, just like when she used to sneak beer into the movies during our college days.By the time the pizza was eaten and the beer was long gone, we were fast friends once more. It was as if no time had passed between us, and we were as close as sisters again. Michael had discouraged our friendship, so after we were ma

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-06
  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 16

    [Addison]“Michael,” I take a small step back. “What is this about? Why are you home in the middle of the day?”Sitting up a bit straighter, he uncrosses his legs and places his drink on the table beside him. It settles with a heavy-handed thunk. “Why shouldn’t I be here to greet my wife?” he emphasizes the last word. “You wanted to talk, let’s talk now. What is this?”Michael throws the divorce agreement onto the floor between us, the edges crumpled from where he gripped it so tightly. Even lying curled on the ground I can see the imprint of his fingers.“Isn’t it obvious?” I reply evenly and carefully. “It’s a divorce agreement, Michael. I drafted it myself last night.”A silence stretches between us as we contemplate one another. Even though there are only a few feet between us, it feels like we are separated by an unpassable chasm of emotion and heartbreak. This man, my husband, has become somehow unknowable to me.. Before Evelyn returned, I’d have sworn that I understood him bette

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-07
  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 17

    [Addison]“This is insane, Michael! Let me out!” I shouted, rattling the locked door, my fists pounding against the painted wood. “You can’t keep me here!”“You need help, Addy!” he shouts back. “I’m calling Dr. Greene. He'll come and give you something to ease your anxiety. You're still shaken from the kidnapping. Don't worry, he'll get you fixed up."Michael's voice grows happier as he continues to speak, truly believing his own lies.""You'll see, Addy. You'll be yourself again soon." Dr. Greene is Michael’s psychiatrist. Ever since Evelyn left, Michael has been seeing Dr. Greene once a week. I don’t know him very well, having only met him once or twice during fundraisers and social functions, but he is an old-school doctor who believes in heavy medication. And who knows what Michael is going to tell him about me. Whatever it is, Evelyn will likely have a hand in it. Opening my purse, I see the contract and business card from Mr. Grant. He had said I could call him about anythin

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-09
  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 18

    [Hunter]My shoulders ache. I'm too tired to be at work, but I need to keep up appearances.The raid last night was successful. Millions of dollars of contraband were seized at the harbor because of our efforts, putting a squeeze on the local black market. But then after making a few arrests and making sure the evidence was properly locked away for the evening, I still had to make an appearance at the club. I needed a steel-clad alibi, so I switched with my double at the gym, took a shower, and reappeared in the lobby, looking as if I had finished a very good workout. Which of course I did, just not in the way anyone knows. And of course, being Hunter Grant, I had to go out to the top dance club in the city, The Rooftop Revue, which I started as soon as I moved back into town. I have a solid reputation as a playboy that I need to maintain. It also provides the perfect cover for reconnaissance. If the mobsters think you're just as dirty as they are, they'll open up. Last night my

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-11
  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 19

    [Addison]"Addy!"There are loud, rapid footsteps followed by the heavy sound of someone falling to their knees. Warm arms reach around me and cradle me to their chest, their heart beating rapidly against my ear.My husband, Michael, is shaking with fear as he looks down at me with wide, frightened eyes. "Addison! What have you done!" His voice shakes as he looks up at the open window and then back at me. "Why? Do I make you so miserable that you are trying to kill yourself?""Don't forget, you're still pregnant!" He blamed me.The sadness in his voice makes my heart skip. I scoffed in my mind. There was no child anymore.Does he really care about me underneath all of this anger and angst? Am I the one pushing him away with my jealousy?"Michael, help, I fell," I whimper pathetically. I hate how weak I sound, how defenseless I am. I don't want his help, but what choice do I have? I was foolish to think I could climb out the window to get away. In the distance, my son's small voice

    ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-02-13

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  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 80

    [Hunter]In a suit and tie, my tattoos are invisible, allowing me to be the person the investors expect me to be while I run the day to day workings of a fortune 100 company. As far as the upstanding part of NYC business is aware, Hazardous and Hunter Grant are not the same person. I work hard to keep my two lives separate. Just like DeBrassy does with his identity, Mr. D., we both know who the other man is, but in the boardroom, we pretend not to be criminals, and in spaces like these, we are done pretending. Here, we get to be the beasts we truly are.In some ways, this criminal underworld is more real than reality. It's more visceral, sensual, and alive. Nothing is off limits. Everything is possible. For some, it can be paradise. For others, Hell. And as far as I'm concerned, it's the furthest place I ever want Addy or Livy to be. I never want them to know this side of me, to see the gutters I need to swim in to preserve their safe world.Because tonight I dance with the devil to

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 79

    [Hunter]Addison shines like a gem tonight, an elegant professional speaking with other like-minded people passionate about the same type of work. She was born to this. She might not realize it yet, but this is where she was always meant to be. She's standing next to the professor, laughing at something another legal guru from one of the finest firms in NYC said, meeting his verbal jabs with equal skill. Seeing her like this makes my heart feel lighter. After everything she's been through to get to this point, she deserves to be the bright star of this evening. I wish I could spend it with her. But I need to take care of business--dark dealings with the type of sinister low-lifes I plan to keep her from ever encountering. I would never want this filth to tarnish her shine. Silently signaling my lieutenant, I pretend to take a work call and excuse myself, leaving Addison in Charley's careful care. "I might not be back," I apologize. "This is a big deal, we can...""We can check in la

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 78

    [Michael]The grim armed woman takes a step forward, blocking me from Addison's view."It's time for you to go, Mr. Stone," she repeats. "Now." Standing my ground, I refuse to move. She won't shoot me, not in front of all these people, all these lawyers. She'd be thrown behind bars. "Grant Group has a restraining order placed against you, Mr. Stone, and if you do not leave the premises immediately, I am authorized to use force if necessary." The woman tilts her head, watching, waiting for an excuse to follow through on her promise. Hundreds of eyes are watching us, hearing everything as we spill our family secrets on the floor of this grand ballroom, our words flying to smash into one another.Addison is angrier than I've ever seen her, an avenging angel, glaring at me with eyes of burning steel. Next to her is a tall, dark-skinned woman who, unlike the rest of those gathered, wears a no-nonsense suit, her hand hovering over a gun.She means business. And her business, from her sta

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 77

    [Addison]“Oh, it looks like I’m late,” my ex-husband laughs, his hands in his pockets as he surveys the scene. “And with so many of my friends here, too. Hi Steve,” Michael waves to a man standing by the bar. "How's Cheryl?" Swaggering into the room, my ex parts the crowd until he's standing only a few feet away. Looking above my head, he sees the sign saying "Happy Divorce Day," and he smirks, his eyes flashing with sarcastic mirth. "Really, Addy? Just come home already. This game is getting old." Reaching forward, Michael holds out his hand to take mine. Taking a step back, I glare as I look around the room. Hunter is gone, Carter is now missing, and Charley is doing her best to make it to my side without causing an even bigger scene. I'm alone. "Michael, this isn't a game," I try to keep my voice low, even though this has already drawn the attention of most of the people in the room. "And I have a restraining order. You shouldn't be here right now. Why are you here?"Michael

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 76

    [Michael][Earlier that evening]I can't wait to get the heck out of this office. Jayson's at my mother's for the weekend. I couldn't bear to be around my son after receiving the note from my attorney telling me that not only was my evidence rejected, but that my wife, MY WIFE, has been granted her divorce appeal without making any of the concessions I requested.Not only that, but her nosy old law professor, Dr. McCannon, filed a restraining order against me on her behalf. I was shocked to learn that tough old lizard is still alive. He's got to be what, like 102?Evelyn is out tonight, something about needing to see Mr. D, so I'm here, trying to see if there isn't some way I can contest the divorce. I mean, it can't be over, can it? Not really. Addy wouldn't leave me. She promised she'd stay with me forever. Until death do us part. "Sir," my new secretary, Cindy, saunters in. Mr. D sent her over, said my last one was "offensive." She places a whiskey sour next to my mousepad, and I

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 75

    [Addison]The sharply-dressed young man holding me in his arms has a swoonworthy smile warm enough to melt hearts. Pretty like a model, his features are an exotic blend of cultures with full, soft lips, high, sharp cheekbones, and wide, cola-colored eyes that sparkle with amusement as he glances at me through a curtain of straight auburn brown hair. “It’s a good thing I was here to catch you,” he grins slyly, although his voice is bright with concern. “Are you okay, Miss…?"“Ms. Archer,” I hold out my hand to shake. “Addison Archer,” I nod in the direction of the congratulations sign. “The new divorcee.” “Ah,” his grin brightens. "Perfect, you're just the person I was sent to look for." Helping me stand, he takes my hand and bows over it in a very formal gesture of respect. "On behalf of my law firm, I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Adam. Adam Wright. I work for CCRP Law Group, and we heard you have potential." He pulls a card from the inner pocket

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 74

    [Addison]Mr. Carter introduced me to his fiancée, Kate, and we hit it off immediately. She’s classy, smart, and has a knack for noticing the small things that others miss and pointing them out to me with no small amount of hilarity. “So you see how she’s walking with a slight hesitation on her left leg,” my new friend points out a beautiful red head with hair with bright blue eyes, and a tight white gown. “Her date, Mr. Danvers, has a thing for dancers. Likes his girls…flexible,” she smirks. Realising her implications, I gasp. “But he’s at least 80!” “Well, love knows no age.” The edge of her lip twists upward as a demure eyebrow lifts just slightly. “Look again, see how broad the shoulders are on his suit? When he was a young man, he was a star polo player and rugby champion. It was 50 years ago, but I bet he still keeps fit.”Blushing, I struggle to NOT think about what she is suggesting as she leads me towards the entrance, where I am surprised to see another friendly face. “Tr

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 73

    [Hunter]“HUNTER NO!!!!!!!”Addison is screaming, her voice gut-wrenching, as with eyes open but not conscious, she grabs my chest. Holding her close to my heart, I soothe her, saying her name and rubbing her back as I kiss her hair, rocking back and forth.“Addison! Addy! It’s okay.” She is so terrified, so lost and unaware of what is real and what isn’t. It is a trauma response, one I’ve seen in survivors before. Whatever happened to her as a child must have been worse than she has told me. Something so bad she can't even let herself remember it fully. I know that feeling. I have them too.“Please, Addy, come back to me," I beg, forcing my voice to stay strong even though a part of me wants to hide in a corner with her. "I've got you. You're safe." It takes several minutes for her eyes to focus and her face to show signs of recognition. “Hunter, you’re not dead?”“Shh,” I move one of her strands of hair behind her ear. Her elegant updo is a bit mussed now, making her look even more

  • Heart of Stone: Her Revenge Unleashed   Chapter 72

    [Addison]Standing at the top of the stairs, I feel like a princess waiting to enter the ballroom and meet her handsome prince. My hands are shaking as I grip the railing. What if he doesn’t like the dress?What if he does? Taking a deep breath, I make my slow descent, my silver pumps clicking delicately on the marble floors.The dress Charley helped pick out is a periwinkle blue made of a beautiful sequined fabric that casts rainbows as I move. The bodice is a fitted corset with a neckline so low, I have to be taped into it to stay in place, and it flairs out over my hips into a full circle skirt that reaches down to my knees. The whole dress is covered in hand-beading, giving it a nice weight and an expensive feel. Charley wouldn’t let me see the price tag. Not after how I reacted when I saw the additional cost of the jewelry. Instead of a traditional string of pearls or a sensible scarf, I’m wearing a body cage in the shape of a cape, dripping jewels from my neck in every direct

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