Lulu said nothing and simply held her glass as she stared at Martin. "When did you start liking guessing games? And I'd never guess it.""I was not given a case at the precinct," Martin said then. "I was given a reward for my brave actions."He waved an envelope at her and handed it to her. "For you."Lulu opened it to find three grand sitting inside. But for men like Martin, money mattered less than carrying their honors. And Lulu knew all too well that Martin earned his with his life."How could you give this to me?" she asked.Martin checked on Jean who lay in bed and reached out to stroke her tender cheeks. "All that I have is yours."Lulu smiled."By the way, shouldn't you call Irene?" Martin told her then. "Ricky will be sentenced in a few days. Even if he had committed many crimes, they might reduce his jail time since he helped us apprehend a major ringleader."As Lulu's smile faded slightly, Martin looked up. "Just enjoy your own life. Worry less about others."
Irene cleared her throat, uncomfortable from Zachary's stare. She brushed past him, asking, "What's with that look?""What did she call to say?" Zachary asked in return, his gaze still sharp as if to read something from her face!"It's about Ricky," Irene simply admitted. Zachary pursed his lips. "You visited him already, didn't you? He's your stepbrother. How could you be so cold?"Irene remained unmoved. "I won't change a thing even if I went, and I'm needed here."With Isaac away, she had to keep watch of their children!Moreover, she just saw a reply on her forum about a Minervan optometrist. It was alleged that he was the best in the world, and she wanted to make further inquiries and make an appointment."If you're not going, I will," Zachary said and turned immediately, striding out of the room.Irene promptly caught him, asking sternly, "What is this? What are you doing?""I did the math," he replied. "Lulu's baby would be at least two months old, and she should be
Zachary did not argue the point since Lulu was the baby's mother."If you say so. Come on, just let me go already." Irene frowned—he was clearly saying what she wanted to hear, and he would not hesitate to go looking for Lulu."I won't let you go." Irene's attitude was definitive, and she ignored Zachary's howls this time, closing the door behind her as she left.Naturally, Zachary was not about to give up. Even when bound, he kept yelling for Irene until the whole house found out that Eagle tied him up!As Tommy and Sheryl entered the study, Tommy had his palm over his little mouth as he giggled, while Sheryl was speechless!"You're all adults! What are you doing?"Zachary quickly tried to play the sympathy card. "Please talk to Irene. She's really throwing her weight around the house with Isaac away."Sheryl frowned. "Is she really being so unreasonable?"Seeing that Sheryl was almost persuaded, Eagle spoke up. "Mrs. Jefferson wouldn't tie him up for no reason." Sheryl th
Irene came to a realization right then. "Tommy did that?"Still, she soon realized that only a child would do something so nonsensical."Let me go already!" Zachary urged."Swear you won't go looking for Lulu and I will," Irene said."I swear..."Irene undid the hair knots while waiting for him to swear it… but that was all he said.Speechless for a moment, she said, "Swear it.""I just did," Zachary replied, holding her gaze.Irene said nothing, and rose to her feet. "You can keep enjoying the couch, I guess!""You women are troublesome." Zachary sighed feebly."Lulu is a woman too. Why would you like her so much?" Irene asked in return.Zachary was at a loss for words and frowned. "Fine, I give in—I really can't beat you in an argument. I swear I won't go looking for Lulu, or…"Irene stared at him. "Or, what?" Zachary pursed his lips. "I'd choke on my food and drown from drinking…""What's that supposed to mean? Can't you be more direct?" Irene pointed out."Do I have
Eagle was confused—he was positive that Zachary would never free himself after with the knots he tied around him. "How did you free yourself?"Someone must have done it!Zachary chuckled coldly. "You've been betrayed."Tommy blinked his big, bright eyes. "By who?""Your mommy, of course!" Zachary snapped, not bothered to give chase. "Now get over here like a good boy, and I won't make it hurt. Get stubborn with me, and you'll get a spanking!"Tommy's little jaw hung open. "You're terrible, Uncle Zachary." "Only because it's you—or did you forget what you did to me?" Zachary growled, sitting down on the stairs and beckoning, "Get over here."Tommy, however, turned toward Eagle. "Do you think the two of us can beat him?""I can do it myself," Eagle replied.The exchange left Zachary speechless, while Tommy confidently put his hands on his hips. "Get over here.""You brat!" Zachary snapped. "You should behave, but you want a fight instead? I see you really want a spanking!" T
Zachary recognized the man—he was one of the protective details Stan had arranged for them whom Zachary stationed outside.He frowned. "Why are you panicking?"The man shook his head—he was not panicking, but it was urgent."There is someone asking for you outside," the man reported."Who?" Zachary asked."No idea." Why did he bother asking?Zachary started to head outside, with the man in tow. "Let's go take a look."At the gates, Zachary saw that the person looking for him was actually a boy. Standing at a modest five foot four, he looked scrawny and his cheeks were dirty as if he had not bathed for a long time, and he had tied up his long hair.Zachary felt suspicious since the filth hid the boy's face, but asked, "You were looking for me?"The boy nodded."Who sent you?" Zachary asked."A Zidonian named James Cross," the boy said, still staring at him. "He told me about this place."Zachary turned serious since James did know about the place.However, he did not beli
Zachary almost cursed. "Did he bail?"However, he had just whipped out his phone when he saw Barzel, who had already changed into the clothes Zachary brought.Barzel's hair was now clean, revealing its original dark blond hue. It was quite long and covered his ears.His cheeks were fair and speckled, and his bangs dangled over his brows in front of his cobalt-blue eyes. He was carrying a plate of food and watching Zachary as he said, "Sorry. I was hungry." He left to find food when he stepped out of the bathroom and found no one around. Since it was complimentary, he brought some back to his room.As Zachary lowered his phone, Barzel asked, "Would you like some?" Zachary shook his head and settled on the couch, while Barzel put the plate on the table and continued eating."What's your name?" Zachary asked."Barzel," Barzel replied while keeping his head lowered and continued stuffing his mouth full of food. "Just ask me if you have any questions."Zachary was quite surpr
Irene sat down and told him, "Let's be serious, Zachary."Zachary sat opposite her in turn, his eyes fixed on her. "I was being serious.""Then tell me. Are you visiting Lulu to see her baby or were you just lying to me?" Irene asked, looking him in the eye.Zachary did a double take, though he had to admit that he had been feeling troubled because he was not allowed to acknowledge his own child.It was as regretful as it was painful, and he certainly was upset that Irene stopped him.Naturally, he understood that Irene was doing this for Lulu's sake, but did he not have the right to be informed and to the child's custody? "I was lying a little," he replied. Even if he was upset and disappointed about it, he had no genuine intention of ruining Lulu's life now. "I admit that Martin is good and has done better than I have," Zachary said, knowing that it was his own fault things ended badly between him and Lulu.If only he had the strength to protect her from harm and from bre