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Mama,” I said quietly, trying to control the trembling in my voice.

Her voice came through, fraught with worry and a hint of desperation. “Caitlyn! Claire’s condition is getting worse. Have you gotten the medicine yet?”

I froze, silent, as the weight of her words hit me again like a tidal wave.

“They said The DLK pharmacy is the only one having it,” she continued, her voice filled with desperation. “Can you help your sister? We can't afford to lose another family member..”

My mother's tone broke my heart. My father's passing had taken a heavy toll on her. I couldn't imagine if Claire had left us, too.

The lump in my throat tightened. The tears I had been holding back, rolled freely now, silent streaks down my cheeks. But I kept my voice steady. “Okay, Mama. I’ll do what I can.”

“I trust you, Caitlyn. But don't be too hard on yourself, I love you too,” she said, her voice breaking with sobs, interrupting each word.

The line went dead, leaving behind a silence that seemed to mock me. I stood there, frozen, tears rolling silently down my face.

A spark ignited inside me, burning away the helplessness I felt just moments ago. Wiping my tears, I clenched Desmond’s card tightly in my hand and turned back toward the casino. My steps were quick, purposeful, and fueled by the kind of anger that could only come from desperation.

When I got to the table, Desmond sat there with that infuriatingly smug expression, sipping his wine. Charles was beside him, focused on the game with Patrick, but they all noticed when I stormed up to them.

I didn’t bother with pleasantries. I grabbed Charles by the shoulders—not harshly, but firmly enough to show I wasn’t there to play.

“Caitlyn?” he asked, standing up immediately. His hands came to my face, gentle but concerned. “What’s wrong?”

The warmth from Charles' palm calmed me down a bit. I took a deep breath and said, “It’s Mr. Linton…he refused to sell me the medicine.”

Charles looked confused. He turned to Desmond, who was still seated, casually sipping his drink as if none of this concerned him.

Before he could even speak, Charles, ever the hothead, was already on the offensive.

“Why won’t you sell it to her, Desmond?” Charles demanded, The concern in his tone made me feel heartbroken. I owed him too much, and I shouldn't involve him in this anymore.

Desmond shrugged, his expression maddeningly indifferent. “Caitlyn is very intelligent,” he drawled, swirling his wine lazily. “I offered her a job to work for me, but she refused.

My jaw dropped. I felt like I’d just been slammed into a wall. I didn't expect that he would continue to force me in public.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Charles’s voice cut through my thoughts. “What’s this job Desmond is talking about, Caitlyn? Why don't you want to take the job?” His voice was calm but laced with confusion.

I didn’t get the chance to reply. Desmond leaned back in his chair, a devilish grin spreading across his face. “Oh, Charles, I’m sure you don’t want to know the kind of job Caitlyn excels at. Let’s just say it’s... Assistant work.”

His words hung in the air like poison, dripping with malice. What kind of assistant needs to have sex?? My heart raced, a mixture of anger and panic flooding through me. My nails dug into my palms as I tried to keep my composure.

Charles’s eyes widened, his confusion deepening. “What do you mean, Desmond?”

Before I could stop myself, I snapped. “Mr. Linton! please!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise of the casino. The words burned with the force of my rage, silencing everyone at the table.

Desmond’s grin only widened as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.