★★★★ Payne could see that her mother was so angry it was as if she was breathing fire. She knew that if she didn’t speak up, her mother might take her back to the house, which would ruin her plan. She had already texted Dante from her mother’s phone, and everything needed to go according to plan. "Mom, are you angry?" Payne asked tentatively. "No," Jasmine replied curtly, staring straight ahead and avoiding her daughter’s gaze. "Are you really going to take me somewhere to eat?" Payne asked, her tone hopeful and trying to break through the tension. "Anywhere you want to go!" Jasmine said, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. "Red Lobster. I know it's expensive, but we can share a plate," Payne suggested, crossing her fingers. Red Lobster was a costly place, but it was what Dante had chosen for their meeting. "It's okay. We can have Red Lobster," Jasmine said, driving toward the restaurant without realizing that her daughter knew about this particular place, despite them not having be
★★★★★"Why not? She is sorting her priorities!" Damon challenged Jasmine, locking eyes with her.Jasmine didn’t hold back her anger. "No, her priorities should be to be a good person and kind.""Hah!" Damon chuckled sarcastically. "That sounds nice, but it shouldn’t be you saying this."Jasmine felt a bubble of anger surge to her throat. She was about to retort when Payne cut in, "Seems like you two know each other well. How come you never come to our house, or invited us to yours?""Yes, Dad," Dante chimed in. "You should have invited them over. We have a big playground and a huge trampoline. Our villa is so big you could get lost in it."Dante's input caught both parents off guard. They looked at each other, their tension momentarily broken by their children's innocent attempts to bridge the gap."There is a small playroom in this restaurant," Jasmine suggested, hoping to divert the conversation. "Why don’t you two go there?""Okay, Mom, we’ll come back when the food arrives," Payne
★★★★ "What is in your head?" Damon asked Payne as soon as Dante and Jasmine left the room. He leaned in slightly, his curiosity piqued by the thoughtful expression on Payne's face. Just then, the waiter arrived with the lobster, interrupting the moment. "Here's your order, sir!" he announced cheerfully as he placed the dish on the table. "Thank you," Payne replied with a polite nod. She waited until the waiter was out of earshot before quickly moving to Dante's seat next to Damon. Lowering her voice, she looked up at Damon with a mixture of seriousness and curiosity in her eyes. "I feel my mum doesn't like you! Is there any particular reason behind it?" Damon was taken aback by her directness but couldn't help but be impressed. "You are quite an observer," he said with an appreciative smile. "I like it. Most five-year-olds wouldn't pick up on such things, but you seem to notice everything around you." Payne tilted her head, her big eyes fixed on Damon. "My mum, she’s always kind a
★★★★As Jasmine was about to reach her car after dinner, Damon grabbed the back of her hand, startling her. She turned around, eyes wide with surprise."Where did you give birth?" Damon asked, his tone sharp and demanding. A strong surge of panic rose within Jasmine, a creeping sensation crawling up her chest.Stumbling a little, she replied, "I was in the USA when I got pregnant and gave birth to my daughter. What's going on in your mind?" Though trepidation filled her heart, she maintained a casual expression.Damon's eyes bore into hers as he spoke coldly, "Nothing. Just go back to your house and reconsider the agreement. Because tomorrow morning, you might see the cops dragging your friend to prison. And stop taking gifts from anyone. If you like flowers, I'll send them to your house.""You are crazy! It’s not about what I like. It's about a person lovingly sending me a present," Jasmine retorted, her voice trembling with restrained anger. "But your head is clouded with ego and mo
★★★★ The voice on the other end chuckled darkly. "Someone who knows more about your past than you realize. Leave, Jasmine, or you'll regret it." Jasmine's heart pounded as she tried to steady her breath. "What do you mean, 'the other twins'? What are you talking about?" "You know exactly what I mean," the woman replied cryptically. "You gave birth to twins, then ran away with your daughter. You are unable to keep that secret safe. Consider this your only warning." Jasmine felt a wave of nausea. "If you think you can threaten me and my daughter, you're wrong. I'll find out who you are and put an end to this." The voice turned icy. "Brave words, Jasmine. But bravery won't protect you from what's coming. Leave the country, or face the consequences." With that, the call ended, leaving Jasmine staring at her phone in shock. Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of the cryptic threat. She quickly glanced at Payne, who was playing innocently in the next room, oblivious to the danger
★★★★★"Please, I know she is late in paying the money, but trust me, we are about to pay the owner of that casino this afternoon. Can you please give us a little more time?" Jasmine pleaded, her voice desperate as she lied to buy time."No, if you are willing to pay the money, then ask him to withdraw the case against her and we will grant her bail right away," the lady cop replied firmly, as she snapped the handcuffs onto Ceece’s wrists. Tears streamed down Ceece's face as she cried out, "Jas, help me. I don't want to go to prison!"Jasmine stood frozen for a moment before springing into action. She rushed to her room, grabbed her phone, and hurried back, blocking the cops' path. "Just one minute, please!" she begged.Frantically, Jasmine dialed Damon's number, knowing he was the only one who could stop the cops from taking Ceece away. Each time the call went through, Damon cut it off. "Damn it, jerk, pick up the call!" she muttered in frustration."You are delaying us, ma'am. I woul
★★★★ "Do I know you?" Damon said in a cold tone, his expression blank and unrecognizing. It was clear he genuinely did not recall Jasmine, or at least he was pretending not to. Jasmine’s anger flared up further. "Don't you dare put on an act, Damon? Ceece has been taken to prison by the cops, and I need you to do something about it." Damon’s face remained impassive, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You don’t seem to understand English, do you? I don’t know you, and I have no idea what you’re talking about." Jasmine’s frustration boiled over, her voice rising. "You seriously don’t remember? Last week at Red Horse Casino? You and your cronies set her up, and now she’s behind bars because of your twisted game!" Damon raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with condescension. "I have no recollection of any such event. And even if I did, what makes you think I would care about some random woman’s problems?" Jasmine stepped closer, her eyes blazing with determination. "You can pretend all
★★★★★"Sir, I was attempting to assist you. You may not fully comprehend the extent of this woman's capabilities. Her actions could ensnare you in a situation leading to prolonged suffering," the man stammered, yet spoke bravely to Damon."Another baseless remark about her, and not only will I throw you out of my office, but I will also initiate proceedings to remove you from your position. Perhaps then you will comprehend the gravity of your actions," Damon threatened firmly, his gaze unnerving the man who broke out in a cold sweat.Jasmine found herself taken aback by Damon's response; the atmosphere around him remained charged, and she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that his presence exuded. "Boss, please reconsider," Phil interjected urgently.Damon's gaze swept over the room, his expression unyielding. "Everyone, vacate this room immediately. The meeting will be rescheduled for another day," he declared icily, his words echoing ominously through the hall. The tension in
★★★★ "Ellie!" Gary tried to approach Harley's mother, but he stopped him, saying, "Don't come close to mom. I didn't lay my hands on you just because of her even though I was on the verge of ripping your neck off your body. So, Again count yourself lucky!" Harley growled at his father. Just then, one of Harley’s men interrupted. "Boss, this woman is fainting!" Harley’s gaze shifted briefly to Amanda before he gave his orders in a cold, merciless tone. "Take her to the hospital. Make sure she doesn’t die, and ensure she gets proper treatment at our camp." Amanda tried to protest, but her words failed her as she collapsed. Without hesitation, Harley’s men carried her away, leaving the scene in tense silence. By that time, Harley's mom mustered up some strength and looked at her husband with pain and tears. Earlier, when Amanda said those things about Gary, she denied them without a second thought, even though somewhere in her heart, a bad feeling was swirling. But, in the end, she wa
★★★★"Are you hurt?" Harley asked, concern lacing his voice."Yeah, my foot," Nadia winced, her grip tightening around his neck. "I think something’s stuck in it."Without hesitation, Harley scooped her up in his arms, cradling her gently as he made his way inside, his jaw set with determination."It's Amanda, and she has more people inside," Nadia cautioned him so that he could have his gun ready."Humph!" Harley hummed only, then took her to a place where there was little light and a small place to sit. He carefully laid her down, turned on the phone's flashlight, and said, "Hold it up on your feet and let me see what it is?"Nadia's face was tired and sweaty, but her eyes were calm seeing Harley in front of her eyes. She got the phone and held it up, only then did they both notice a nail embedded in her left foot.As soon as Harley touched the nail, Nadia cried out, clutching his hair in her palm as her agonizing voice erupted, "Oh, it’s hurt!"Harley looked up at Nadia’s painful f
★★★★★ "I don't know how...." Harley's mother's hands were shaking as she held the gun in her hand. "There's no time for a lesson! Just put the muzzle on my handcuffs and shoot!" Nadia shouted, her impatience growing as Amanda's people could show up at any second. "Alright," Harley's mother muttered, exhaling sharply. She pressed the muzzle against the lock and fired without hesitation. The handcuffs snapped open instantly. Nadia forthwith ran to Amanda and pulled her back by her hair before Amanda could able to run out of the room. "Let me go, bitch!" Amanda protested, trying to scream. But Nadia held her back with her arm around her neck. Suddenly Amanda's men arrived with guns drawn. Seeing them, Amanda screamed, "Don't just stand there and help me!" She gritted her teeth and spat at the people who should have been running to her aid. "Don't come close to her if you want her alive and well?" Nadia yelled, holding Amanda tightly as she tried to strike a deal for them to escape.
★★★★★Meanwhile, Harley returned home and learned from the servant that his father had been awake for a while but had ordered no visitors until he permitted it. Ignoring the warning, Harley marched straight to his father’s room. Rather than knock, he pounded on the door.His father’s irritated voice boomed from within. "I warned you—I don’t want any interference! If you all want to keep your jobs, stay out of my business!"At that moment, Harley responded by firing on the door lock and then kicking it open. Gary ran to the corner in fear, his back hitting the wall. When Gary saw that it was Harley who had shot at the door, he blurted out, "What's going on in your head? You could have called me!" "Where are they?" Harley yelled with murderous eyes."Who are you talking about?" Gary replied, trying to sound calm, but miserably failed under his son's intense gaze. Harley clenched his teeth and rushed to his father, who tried to escape, but Harley grabbed him by his throat and howled, "
★★★★★ Jasmine was exhausted, thirsty and going through the ripping pain in her shoulder, but she made sure she reached out for her husband, who was looking for her crazily. "Hello... it's me!" Jasmine said in a tired voice and crawled away from the dead man. Since it was almost dark, she took refuge behind a tree and decided to stay there until Damon came. "Where are you?" Damon's harsh voice broke out, full of impatience and tension. "Come and get me. I am tired and I...I killed a man who wanted to kill me," Jasmine said, "Also a group of people took Nadia with them. She is in danger too. Bring men," Jasmine said, closing her eyes. "Hang in there!" Damon said. There was a sense of reassurance in his voice that calmed Jasmine and she replied, "Okay!" And she touched her shoulder where she felt pain. Meanwhile, Harley reached the mansion where Amanda's father was busy in the swimming pool with some young lady. As soon as they entered, they all started screaming in fear becau
★★★★★"I don’t know anything!" Harley’s mother stammered, her voice trembling as she scrambled towards Nadia, who sat handcuffed in the corner. "In my sleep, I felt someone’s hand on my face, and I jolted awake. I tried to fight, and Harley’s father did the same, but they injured him before dragging me out of the villa. It was dark outside.""I think it’s the same people who brought you here. They pretended to be the police and tricked me," Nadia said calmly as she looked at Harley's worried mother."How is his father?"Nadia felt bad hearing Harley's mother's worried voice."When I left the villa, a doctor monitored him and the doctor said he is fine and has no injuries," Nadia said."You are not lying to me, are you?" Harley's mother asked again just to believe Nadia was not saying the positive just to keep her calm."Why would I lie to you to keep you satisfied when both of our lives are at stake? I was thinking about your son. I'm afraid he won't deal with this situation patiently
★★★★Nadia didn't go to her house. Instead, she went to Jasmine's house. All the way she kept wondering if Amanda was really that stupid. Knowing Harley's nature, how could she dare to attack his mother, and why did she think that kidnapping Harley's mother would make it easier for her to get back into his life?When she was about to enter Jasmine's house, a police car blocked her way, which shocked Nadia, and she quickly got out of the car in confusion and asked, "What happened, Sir?!" At the same time, Jasmine saw Nadia and the police from the balcony, where she was walking with a coffee mug in her hand. So, she decided to go and see what the matter was."Are you Nadia Hazelwood?" a policeman asked.Nadia replied, a little nervously, "Yes, sir, I am Nadia Hazelwood. Is something wrong?""We found illegal substances in your house. You have to come with us to the police station," the cop said, showing off the handcuff to Nadia who could no longer stop herself from panicking as she mut
★★★★ As the morning dawned Nadia found herself pinned down by a strong arm around her waist and unable to breathe. But what scared her the most was the thought that Harley was naked. She moved quickly and looked under the sheets, but he wasn't naked; he was wearing his boxers, and she sighed with relief. Then she tried to push his hand out of her to get up, but he grumbled, "Let me hold you a little longer." "I have a lot of work to do; hugging won't buy me time," Nadia grumbled. "You work in my office, and as your boss, I am ordering you to remain on the bed with me; if you're so free, you can show me your care by kissing me," Harley said. "Stop your nonsense, Harley. Your mother will come anytime and I will feel ashamed," Nadia put her hand on his face and tried to push him away, but she couldn't. Though his sleeping face looked innocent and peaceful, which urged her to stare at him for a long time, she refused to do that since she was embarrassed to show her affection. Suddenl
★★★★★"Uh..huh! What did you hear him talking about?" Harley replied calmly."He was talking to someone in the garden who I couldn't see so I was standing near the wall and listening to their conversation, then I heard your father say that if that person can't achieve what he has been given to do then he should kill himself or your father will kill him," Nadia said with shock and fear in her eyes as she thought that Harley’s father was going to harm someone."Hmmmm... Dad is consumed by the greed to get the power. That is why he abruptly came here with Mom," Harley said, making his way to the bed, his hand unbuttoning his shirt, while he added, "Let him do what he wants. I'm glad you found something entertaining in this house!""How come you are so relaxed even after knowing all this? What if he is plotting something dangerous against you because I felt he has no sympathy for you or no care that you are his son," Nadia said impatiently putting both her hands on her waist as she did no