Quim was in full-blown panic mode.He shot Eaden with a look filled with suspicion and confusion. "Was it you?""Did you conspire with Howard against me?"It was not just a question, Quim was convinced of it.The timing was too perfect.Eaden just chuckled at Quim's accusation and shot back, "Still thinking of taking down Mr. Cole, are you?""You really don't get it, do you? I couldn't possibly pull strings with Mr. Mosier. This was all Mr. Cole's idea."That revelation hit Quim like a ton of bricks. It was him! He spun around to see Liam, then lounging on the couch, leisurely enjoying his wine. Before him, Samara, Yanely, and the others stood in line, bowing deeply, their faces ashen and bodies shaking, too scared to even lift their heads.They were petrified, regretting why they ever agreed to come to tonight's party with Samara, why they had taken part in shaming Celena.They had never seen anything like that before. They thought they were just going to a party to give Cele
"Quim, you've got some guts, attacking someone right under my nose!"Howard stormed into the room, livid, and marched straight up to Quim, delivering a stinging slap to his face. Still seething, he swung back his hand and landed another slap on the other cheek.Those slaps knocked Quim for a loop!He was seething inside but did not dare fight back; not even a single word of defiance passed his lips.After giving Quim a piece of his mind, Howard strode over to Liam with a swift pace that caught everyone's attention. He bowed with deep respect and reported, "Mr. Cole, I'm here as ordered. We've shut down Quim's operations, and everyone involved is in custody!" Howard shot Quim a warning look before asking, "Any other orders? I'm on it." Quim, who had been ready to go down fighting, suddenly felt his knees buckle. He collapsed to the ground, his face a mask of terror and hopelessness. It was all over for him. Quim was seized by a terror so profound it felt like the sky itself wa
Ignoring her wounds, Billie crawled over to Liam, apologizing just as fervently as Quim while spilling all of Samara's dirty secrets."Mr. Cole! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have let myself be swayed, to go along with them in tormenting your wife! Please, spare my dad and me! I was wrong to underestimate you and wrong to harm Celena! It was all Samara's doing, she's the one who brought us here, and told us to pick on your wife! She was about to rip off Celena's clothes just now... to throw..."Liam's eyes turned to ice, his piercing gaze fixed on Billie as he asked in a chilling tone, "Rip off the clothes... and throw what?""Samara vowed to strip Celena bare and toss her out for all to see, to reveal the famed beauty of Drunham City! Mr. Cole, it was all Samara's doing!" True friends, huh? Those were only true when it did not cost them anything. However, Billie, desperate for a lifeline, threw Samara under the bus!Already roughed up by Liam, Samara quivered on the floor. Billie's
Tucker's nerves were shot, his heart pounding against his chest. Unlike Quim, he knew when he was out of his depth. He had walked in with his head low, ready to show just how much he understood his place.Tucker marched up to Liam, bowed deeply with a look of utmost respect, and pleaded earnestly, "Mr. Cole, I've come to understand the situation, and it's clear my daughter has blundered. If you feel you must discipline her, I won't stand in your way. All I ask is that you spare her life. I won't cover for her mistakes. If it takes everything the Fabish family has to make it right with Ms. Stone, so be it. Please, just let her live."With each word, Tucker's tears streamed down his face as he begged for forgiveness.Samara, witnessing her father's deep bow and heartfelt apology to save her, was overwhelmed with tears and remorse, sobbing uncontrollably."Daddy... I'm so sorry... I was wrong to be so headstrong... I realize my mistake..."Liam observed the touching scene with a stee
Yafe was perched on the couch, furiously jabbing a finger at Celena, his voice laced with anger and his mind racing with worry. The Fabish family, a big name in Drunham City's hotel scene, was neck and neck with the Stones, and they had ties that ran deep.The Fabish family was not just any client; they were top-tier for the Stones. If they pulled the plug on their partnership, the Stones would take a serious hit.Celena, her face a canvas of makeup trying to mask last night's bruises, could not quite hide the damage. Yafe's outburst left her looking like a deer in headlights, fear and anxiety written all over her.Sherah let out a disdainful snort before laying into her, "Celena, you're nothing but trouble. Always rubbing people the wrong way! Lucky for us, Quim and Eaden, along with Mr. Wafer, are too busy with their own turf wars. Quim's behind bars now, thank goodness. If he weren't, with the way he operates, we'd be bracing for a storm of payback!"Reginald's face clouded over
The memory of Liam turning on her in the yard still burned, making her grind her teeth in anger. She had been waiting for the right moment, and when it had come knocking, she was ready to make Celena pay.Reginald let out a derisive snort and sprang to his feet. "What are you all gawking at? Get moving and welcome Mr. Tucker Fabish!"He led the way as Yafe and the rest scrambled up and dashed for the door.Meanwhile, the Stone family's kin was laying into Celena, convinced that Tucker's visit was nothing but trouble. They pinned the blame squarely on Celena, the supposed instigator."If it weren't for that jinx, Celena, why would we be dragged to the office at the crack of dawn?""It's worse than that. Now Mr. Fabish is on our doorstep, ready to call us out. Thanks to Celena, the Stone family's going to be the joke of Drunham City before long!""She's got some nerve, sticking around the Stone family. If I were her, I'd have skedaddled a long time ago, not hung around without a sh
Tucker's eyes darted through the crowd, searching for Celena. He scanned the room, but she was nowhere to be seen. His face tensed with concern, and he bypassed the customary handshake with Reginald, asking directly, "Is Celena here?"At Tucker's words, Reginald's smile froze, and a ripple of tension passed through the onlooking Stones, some barely concealing their glee at the brewing drama. What would Celena do then?He had barely set foot inside and was already on the hunt for Celena, ready to confront her.Clearly, Celena had crossed a line, for Tucker would not have brought his daughter along if it were not serious.Caught off guard, Reginald's hand hung awkwardly in the air before he withdrew it, his face darkening. He called out with an intense fury, "Celena, step forward now!"Always one to blend into the background, Celena lingered at the back of the crowd. Her slight frame was hidden behind the others, explaining why Tucker had missed her. However, before she could make a
Celena's heart was heavy with a sense of injustice and a fierce unwillingness to yield, but faced with the combined pressure from the Stone family and Tucker, she swallowed her pride, tears betraying her as she moved to bow her head in defeat. However, before she could lower herself, Tucker's hand shot out, gripping her arm with a look of sheer panic. "Ms... Ms. Stone, what are you doing? It's my daughter, Samara, who should be apologizing to you!" he exclaimed. The crowd watched, stunned, as Tucker yanked Samara forward, his voice thundering, "Well? What are you waiting for? Apologize to Ms. Stone, now!" Samara, haunted by the terror Liam had instilled in her the night before, could only tremble at the mere thought of him. Stripped of her usual defiance and bravado, she bowed deeply to Celena, her voice breaking, "Celena, no... Ms. Stone, I'm so sorry! I messed up yesterday. I was foolish, please forgive me! Can't you forgive me, Celena? For old times' sake, please?" Her tears f