The first thing that came to mind when Jenny saw the dozens of bombs strapped to Randy's body was to run, but Randy seemed to have guessed it already. "I advise you to stay put, or I'll blow up these pretty little things and hurt everyone here."So Jenny stayed put. Even if Randy didn't detonate the bombs, she still had to put on a brave front to protect the others' life, or she'd become the talk of the town for the next decade for being a coward."Good, good. You still have your wits about you, I see." Randy's grin turned menacing as he dragged Jenny up onstage, the bomb detonator in the other hand. He tapped on the mic and said, "Good evening, everyone. Glad to be here tonight."The audience was deathly silent, though Randy didn't seem to mind. He scoffed. "Dear me, it doesn't sound like I'm very welcome here. I'll warn all of you first. Any of you try to escape this place tonight, and I'll send the building collapsing on us all." Now the crowd of guests was really frenzied. The
Randy nodded in approval, then gazed at Graham and James amongst the crowd. "You two are so fucking pleased with yourselves, aren't you? You got what you wanted—my family wiped off from Bardoff City.""You can tell us what you want, Randy, and we'll give it to you, whatever it is. Just let Jenny go first. I'll swap places with her instead." Graham offered. If Randy detonated those bombs on his body, he would lose his daughter.Randy snorted. "I said to stay put, didn't I?"Graham pursed his lips but stayed where he was.While everyone waited for Randy to speak up about what he wanted from them, Stephanie had just returned home. She was about to relax and head inside after the exhausting night when she spotted someone familiar at the door.Chills ran down her spine. She froze where she was, hesitating about whether to go forward or not."Shit, it's not like I could wait out there all night. Plus, there's no reason to be scared of him. He doesn't have any influence in Bardoff City.
"Let me make it up to you." Paul grabbed onto Stephanie's wrist, stopping her from walking away."Some things aren't that easy to mend," Stephanie replied."I know I messed up before, Stephanie. But I know better now. I know I need to improve, so please, give me a chance." Paul said dearly. In truth, he rarely showed this side of himself, so Stephanie was actually touched by his words. She loved him once, after all. But still, she remained level-headed. They weren't compatible. Even if they dated one another, they'd never have a happy ending.There was no point in wasting each other's time.Shaking loose from Paul's grip, Stephanie said, "You don't need me around to improve yourself. You should be able to do it alone."Steph—"Paul was cut off by his ringtone. He was about to decline when he saw the caller ID. His expression changed the moment he heard the other person speak. Stephanie picked up on it instantly. Something told her it wasn't anything good.But it was none of
A sniper. Probably from the police force.But their shot wouldn't hit a vital spot, which meant Randy still might be able to trigger the detonator.Jenny decided to try and get Randy to move into the sniper's target."I know you just want your family to go back to how they used to be. I can make that happen," Jenny said.Randy narrowed his eyes at her. "How?""I can return all the properties that belonged to you. I'm sure all the witnesses here can hold me accountable.""We'll do the same," James spoke up. Nothing was more important than Jenny's safety.Randy seemed to believe them for a split second before quickly scoffing. "What use would that be? Just because you'll return me to my former glory doesn't mean you won't also come after me later."He knew there was no way things could ever go back to how they used to be, not with the police probably already gathered outside to take him in."But imagine the good it'd do for the rest of your family," Jenny said.It didn't look l
Alec huffed a laugh, then raised his palms in the air to indicate he wasn't going to do anything. He then slowly walked over to Randy and handed him the guarantee.Just as everyone thought the danger would pass, a voice came from the crowd. "He isn't actually going to believe them, is he? I mean, who here would even stand with the Glasses to enforce the guarantee? Is he that naive?"Randy immediately dragged Jenny back upon hearing it, his expression shifting drastically."Naive? Haha…hahaha!" He cackled hysterically. Though the guarantee had been a shifty idea, he had still held out hope. He hadn't wanted to commit suicide that night, either.But it was too late now."Let's all fucking die then, shall we?!" Randy roared, pressing the detonator.Before he could, Jenny swiftly wrestled out of his grip and reached for the device."Get out of the way!" she cried, diving for it.Someone reached out at the very last second, then came the loud sound of bones breaking."Fuck!" Randy
After removing the bombs from Randy's body, the bomb squad disarmed another one by the hall entrance before announcing they were done. Only then did they realize that Randy had never planned to kill anyone, just intimidate them. They could've left at any time they wanted from any other entrance in the hall.Those pissed at being messed with took their chance to go up to Randy to slap and kick at him with all their might.As the guests left, Jenny recalled what was spoken when Randy was about to seize the guarantee. No one else had noticed, but Jenny had immediately recognized who had spoken—Yvonne Dickman.She turned to find the woman, who immediately hid behind Brandon under her searing glare.Brandon wasn't looking too good at the moment, either. He had heard Yvonne speak during that tense moment, thus incurring Jenny's wrath.With a sneer, Jenny warned, "You better be careful, Mr. Britt. The rose you adore so much might bleed you with her thorns."Brandon stiffened but said no
Jenny didn't retaliate against Paul's argument. He had a ton of points, especially after what happened tonight.When Paul thought Jenny might relent, she said, "I'll send Steph back home myself."So he ended up watching the two women leave in Evan's car until they disappeared on the horizon.He held back the ball of anger in his chest, choosing to glare at Alec instead. "The hell is this? Can't keep your woman in check?"Alec scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Why can't you manage yours?""Hey!" Paul yelled but didn't know what else to say.Alec went up to him and patted his shoulder encouragingly. "Calm down, man. We're in the same boat here.""No way in hell! At least there's no one else preying on Stephanie right now." The instant Paul said that, Alec winced. It was true he wasn't the only one setting his sights on Jenny, what with Evan Clarke and Luke Faust on her tail, as well as countless other men. The thought alone was enough to send Alec into a headache."C'mon. Drinks on m
Yvonne's scheme still worked in the end. Brandon let her stay after what she said, unable to let himself and anyone else think he was afraid of Jenny.Meanwhile, Jenny was sent home by Evan after dropping Stephanie off."Jen, about earlier tonight—""You should get some rest, Evan." Jenny smiled kindly. "I know what you're thinking, and I don't blame you whatsoever, so please don't worry about it."It was obvious Evan was still glum about not having run up to Jenny's rescue at the first second, but to her, it was a blessing in disguise, as she wouldn't have known how to pay back the debt if something had happened to him. As for Alec, well…"I know you don't, but I do." Evan blamed himself for not having saved Jenny before Alec did.Jenny sighed. "Can we drop this? It's in the past now. I really just want to rest for the night.""Alright then." Evan nodded. No point settling it right now when Jenny was exhausted.Jenny nodded and left his car, going back into Walter Castle.E