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★★★★★Edward shoved off the servant’s hand as he was laid on the bed, muttering, “I’m fine, I can handle myself. Leave.” His voice was groggy and weak but still carried enough weight to make the servant obey. Reluctantly, the servant nodded and hurried out of the room, but not before swallowing hard at the sight of Rebecca, already fast asleep on the same bed.“I can’t even imagine how the morning’s going to go in this house. Only God can save us from the young master’s wrath,” the servant muttered to another junior servant, standing just outside the room.“Elder Harrington’s here, stop worrying like a lunatic,” the other servant replied as they both started to walk away from the room.Sigh! “You don’t know the history, so you don’t feel the weight of what’s about to unfold tomorrow.”“What history, Breton?”“Another time. Good night!” Breton said, shaking his head as he headed toward his quarters.Back in the room, Edward irritably pulled off his shirt, his eyes half-closed and his h
★★★★★ "I don't care a bit what you think of me. Feel free to form whatever opinions you want. Just let go of my hand, ..." Rebecca hissed in anger. She could not tolerate another insult to her self-worth. "You..." Before Edward could carry further, the door of the room was pushed open by Elder Harrington, who was stunned by his naked grandson. "Whoa, young people! If you are wishing to be naked in your room, at least have some decency to lock the door. Edward instantly let go of Rebecca's hand and rushed to his wardrobe. Getting a robe from it, he shouted, "You could have at least knocked on the door before barging in." "I was concerned for both of your well-being. That is why I forgot etiquette, like knocking on the door," Edward's Grandfather replied with a strong tone before shifting his eyes to Rebecca, making his way to her. His eyes softened, "Sweet girl, you had me worried last night. My sleep has been bothered multiple times because of the tension. Why are you putting yours
★★★★★Rebecca took a bath and wore the same dress from the day before, even though she was provided with a silk gown to wear. It was crafted from the finest, the kind Edward always preferred. This was why she hated it. She came down to the hall where Elder Harrington was waiting for her; seeing her, he smiled, the skin wrinkled around the eyes, displaying his age and affection. Rebecca vividly remembered the day he warned her father that he would not like to see tears in her eyes because she was his precious granddaughter."Come here, Rebecca. See the dishes the cook prepared just for you," Grandfather excitedly said. Rebecca smiled with a nod, adding, "Grandpa, my tastes have changed a lot over the years." "Changed regarding men, I get it," Grandfather said with a playful wink, "But your taste buds cannot forget the creamy pumpkin soup," Grandfather said and shifted his head to the helper, who understanding the gaze, instantly took the lid away from the pumpkin soup, releasing a s
★★★★ Rebecca’s words ignited the fury Edward had been holding back, and it exploded with a venomous threat. "Since you'd prefer public disgrace over marrying me, then that's exactly what you’ll get," he snarled, his glare searing into her before he stormed out of the room. "Rebecca, don’t take him seriously. He didn’t mean it," Edward’s grandfather spoke quickly, his voice edged with concern, though inwardly he seethed, wanting nothing more than to slap some sense into his grandson. “He meant every word, Grandpa. We both know him too well,” Rebecca said softly, her voice steady but laced with an undeniable sadness. “I understand what you’re hoping for, but I can’t sacrifice my self-worth. I won’t insult. Myself by marrying your grandson. He’s not the right man for me, but I’ll always be your granddaughter like I was before. If you want to see me, if there’s anything you need, let’s meet at your house. That place holds real meaning for me.” With a heavy heart, she pushed her chair b
★★★★Rebecca's voice cracked with fury as she nearly screamed into the phone, "How dare you turn your back on us when you made a deal!"Henrick's voice came through, calm but laced with smugness. "Oh, Miss Jonas, I was concerned when you didn’t return to my cabin. I searched, but... well, you were gone from the casino. Naturally, I assumed you’d lost interest in the deal. How could I possibly be blamed for that?""Shut your mouth! This will not end well, Henrick!" Rebecca’s control snapped, her rage pouring through every word as her grip tightened on the phone, wishing she could throttle him through the line."How about we made another deal, Miss Jonas? I know... your anger comes from the desperation since Money is now everything to your family," Henrick paused; there was an eerie calmness in between his next words, "How about you come to my room in Burkins Hotel, where I have a personal penthouse. We could... discuss terms more personally.""You slimy Bastard!" she seethed through cl
★★★★★ As the Elevator door opened, Rebecca stepped out she was entrapped by the guards, who had guns in their hands, and their guns all pointing at her. "Woman get back in the elevator. If you try to make another reckless move, we’ll have no choice but to shoot,” one of the guards warned, stepping forward with a steely gaze. "Listen, I need to talk to Edward just once. It’s important. Please try to understand!" Rebecca pleaded, folding her hand in front of them, her tears pouring out of her eyes. Her voice trembling. She was helpless, and if she could not meet Edward at this moment, she did not know where she would go for help. "You are not the first we are dealing with. Every day, there are many girls who appear in this building to meet our boss, and they have the same emotional request. Now listen to us and turn around," the same guard said slowly to make Rebecca understand that the bullet was faster than she thought. "I can't... you do not know my situation and I am not someon
★★★★★That night, when Rebecca arrived home, her breath caught in her throat as she saw her father sitting on the couch beside her mother. Tears welled up in her eyes, not just from the relief of seeing him free, but from the weight of guilt.There were so many things she wanted to say, but the words wouldn't come. Seeing her, Klein smiled softly and said, "Come here, sweetheart."Rebecca walked toward him. She wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Edward did my bail. I know he did it because of you," Klein said, breaking away from the hug. "I told you, all he needs is a little kindness. His heart isn't made of stone."Rebecca looked at her father and noticed the hope and trust in his old eyes- something instantly broke her heart because she was keeping him away from the truth. Klein continued, his eyes shining with hope. "Trust me, sweetheart, the more you talk to him, the more the relationship between you two will blossom. You’ll see.""Dad, indeed, he helps us today,
★★★★★ Rebecca didn’t pack much, careful not to raise suspicion with her parents. She called a cab, loaded her small luggage, and told her parents she’d be staying with a friend for a few days to clear her mind. Upon arriving at Edward’s house, the servants greeted her. Just the day before, they had been wary of her presence, especially in front of their master. Now, they had been informed she would be living under the same roof. They took her luggage to the other room. Rebecca sat on the couch, her palm pressed against her forehead, as a dull ache throbbed in her head. Just then, the head butler approached her and asked, "Miss Jonas, would you care for some tea?" "Actually..." Rebecca began to reply, but before she could finish, a sharp voice cut through the air, "What are you doing here?" Rebecca turned her head toward the entrance and saw Veronica standing there, her eyes widening in shock as she quickly rose from her seat. "I’m just here..." Rebecca stammered, scrambling for a
★★★★★Imara’s face remained impassive, her tone cold and measured as she continued, "They weren’t going to stop the bond between you and Edward, especially after his accident. But they should have. My father is Mr. Harrington’s best friend; it only makes sense that they’d think of me for Edward. We’re equals, Rebecca. Same status, same world. You? You never belonged. Besides," she added, her eyes narrowing slightly, "Mr. Harrington and your mother were having an affair. Your relationship was a mistake from the beginning."Her words hung in the air, sharp as a blade. There wasn’t a flicker of remorse in her expression, as if she were narrating a mundane event instead of confessing to tearing lives apart.Rebecca’s breath hitched, disbelief etched into every feature of her tear-streaked face. "You’re fucking insane," she spat, her voice trembling with both rage and heartbreak. "I can’t believe it. At your age, you plotted something so cruel, so vile. You didn’t just ruin Edward’s life—y
★★★★★Connor stood there as if paralyzed, his eyes fixed on Edward’s lifeless body, the blood pooling beneath it. His face was a mask of shock, but he didn’t move or speak; he just stood frozen in that terrible moment.Imara, her face streaked with tears, whipped her head around to glare at him. "You bastard!" she shouted, her voice trembling with fury and despair. "You said you wouldn’t let anything happen to him! And now—now he’s not breathing! You betrayed me, didn’t you?"Connor’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he glared at her, his voice low and cold. "Keep your mouth quiet," he said, the distaste in his tone unmistakable.Imara surged to her feet, her fists clenched as she marched toward him. "Don’t you dare tell me to keep quiet! You planned this, didn’t you? You knew this would happen! I stood by you. After all, I trusted you because I wanted to protect him—and you let this happen!"Connor’s expression darkened further, his jaw tightening as he took a threatening step
★★★★★Rebecca’s confession landed like a bomb in the room, silencing everyone in its wake. Edward’s face twisted in fury, his breathing ragged as he stepped back and reached behind him.In one fluid motion, he pulled out a gun, the metallic glint catching the faint light. His eyes were ablaze with unrestrained rage.“I shouldn’t have trusted you,” Edward growled, his voice low and venomous. “I shouldn’t have saved your face from public humiliation. You don’t deserve redemption. You deserve to die in the filth you’ve created.”Rebecca’s breath hitched, her bravado wavering as she took a step back. Connor instinctively moved to shield her, his hands raised in a plea.“Edward, stop!” Connor shouted, his voice edged with panic.Edward ignored him, his gaze fixed solely on Rebecca. “Your entire family ruined mine,” he snarled, his grip tightening on the gun. He raised it, the barrel now trained on Rebecca.Imara gasped, her heart pounding in terror as she instinctively stepped forward. “Ed
★★★★★“I didn’t know this place was so far from the town,” Imara said as she stepped out of the car, glancing around at the pitch-black surroundings. The faint crunch of gravel beneath her shoes was the only sound in the still night. Her arms crossed instinctively as a cool breeze brushed past.Edward closed the car door behind him and stepped forward, his eyes scanning the unlit house in the distance. “This is the place my father bought,” he said, his voice low but calm. “He used to bring us here when he wanted to escape the chaos of work… to relax with the family.”Imara tilted her head, her curiosity piqued as she followed his gaze to the looming structure. “It looks so isolated,” she remarked, her tone a mix of awe and unease. “No wonder it’s good for getting away.”Edward nodded, his expression darkening slightly as he noticed the lack of lighting around the house. “Connor should’ve turned on the lights,” he muttered, his voice edged with irritation. “It’s too quiet.”Imara stepp
★★★★“I know where they are,” Imara said hesitantly, her voice laced with reluctance. She withdrew her hand from Edward, her other hand fidgeting with the edge of her scarf. “Rebecca told me… but she made me promise not to tell you. She said, under no circumstances, should you know where she’s gone.” Her eyes briefly flickered back to Edward before darting away again. “But seeing you like this… feeling betrayed, struggling… I can’t keep it from you.”Edward leaned forward slightly, his intense gaze fixed on her. His expression softened for a brief moment, though the storm brewing in his eyes remained. “Thank you, Imara,” he said with a firm nod. “If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like you to come with me. It’ll be safer that way. I’ll send someone to keep an eye on your father.”Imara shook her head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “No, you don’t need to worry about him. Father… he prefers being alone. He usually lies to make sure I won’t fuss over him.” She grabbed h
★★★★★"You were with Rebecca?" Edward’s voice cut through the air, sharp but measured, as he fixed his piercing gaze on Imara. His dark eyes searched hers, but Imara refused to meet his look, her attention darting around the room instead. Her restless fingers fiddled with the hem of her jacket, an obvious tell that something was off. Anyone watching them would have easily pegged this as a date gone sour.“Yes,” Imara finally said, her voice barely audible. She brought her hands to the table, but her eyes stayed glued to the surface, tracing invisible patterns on the polished wood. “She dropped Ella and me at our homes after dinner.”Edward leaned forward slightly, his brows knitting together, though his tone remained controlled. “Hmmm,” he murmured, his composure wavering as the edges of his frustration began to show. “Do you have any idea where she might be now? Or if she met anyone while you were with her?”Imara’s head shot up briefly, her lips parting as if to speak, but then she
★★★★★The first picture stopped Edward in his tracks, his gaze freezing on the screen. It was Rebecca, embracing Connor in the middle of the road. Her arms were wrapped around him, her expression soft.The next image was worse. Connor’s lips pressed against Rebecca’s neck, her eyes closed as if savouring the moment. They were in a car, the angle of the shot suggesting it had been taken from a deliberate distance.Edward’s blood boiled. His grip on the phone tightened until his knuckles turned white. He swallowed back the roar building in his chest, his mind spiralling into chaos. His fingers worked furiously, dialling Connor’s number.Out of reach.He growled under his breath and immediately tried Rebecca’s number. The same result.With a sharp exhale, Edward called Imara instead.“Edward?” Imara’s voice came through, calm and comforting as always. “What’s going on?”“Where are you?” Edward barked, his tone cutting through her pleasantries.“At home,” she replied cautiously. “Is there
★★★★★"You don’t have to lie to me," Edward hissed, his voice venomous, his nostrils flaring as he struggled to contain his rage. "I went deep, Mrs. Jonas—deep enough to uncover every detail. The resort, the night you spent with my father... everything. Each piece of evidence screams your name."Rebecca’s mother staggered backwards, her composure unravelling as a thread pulled too tight. Her legs buckled beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground, trembling. Tears streamed down her face as the weight of his words sank in. The sin she had buried, the one she had tried so desperately to forget, now loomed over her, undeniable and raw."Edward..." she whispered, her voice cracking. "It wasn’t... it wasn’t what you think.""Spare me the excuses," Edward snapped, his eyes ablaze with fury. "Do you have any idea what you did to my family? To my mother? You shattered her life, and for what? Your selfish desires?"Mrs Jonas covered her face with her hands; her sobs muffled but gut-wren
★★★★"Are you hurt?" Connor asked, his voice low yet steady, as his eyes swept over Rebecca, searching for any sign of injury. His gaze lingered on her trembling frame, moving from her face to her scraped knees and bruised legs."You… you killed that man," Rebecca exclaimed, her voice shaky, ignoring his question entirely.Connor sighed, his expression unreadable. "I had no choice but to gun him down," he replied, his tone devoid of regret. "He had a knife in his pocket, and you were defenceless."He stepped closer, his hand lifting to gently cup her cheek, his eyes scanning hers for reassurance. But Rebecca flinched, taking a small step back.Connor lowered his hand, his expression softening as he placed the gun back in its holster. “Relax,” he murmured, his tone quieter. “I didn’t think this through—I only thought about saving you. That’s all.”Rebecca’s breath hitched, her mind reeling. “There’s someone else we need to save,” she said urgently, her words tumbling out. “Imara.