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Once the pain from my wounds eased a little, I forced myself to stand, ready to leave.!!
But before I could take a step, a crowd suddenly burst through the door.!!
The man in the lead pointed straight at me, and the men behind him–faces twisted with hostility–charged in my direction.
My gut clenched. Something was wrong. I spun around to run, but it was too late. They caught me and dragged me in front of their leader.
I fought with everything I had, but it was useless.”
The man’s grip clamped around my chin like a vice, forcing my head up
Only then did I finally see his face.K
It was Thiago Perlman–Ridley’s mortal enemy!!
He took one look at the fear in my eyes and suddenly threw back his head in laughter.
“Well, well, Agnes–how pathetic you look right now. Where’s your dear husband? Why isn’t Ridley here protecting you? Don‘ tell me he’s cheating on you? Oh, wait… this morning I heard something interesting–he’s hosting a birthday party for his mistress’s child right here in this hotel. Looks like the rumor wasn’t a lie after all.”
So… everyone knew about Ridley and Lynzee. Everyone–except me.
A sharp, suffocating ache spread through my chest.
Thiago seemed to savor my reaction, his lips curling in satisfaction. The jagged scar on the left side of his face twisted with
his smile.
Years ago, the Perlmans and the Swicords were bitter rivals, evenly matched in power.
But with my help, Ridley managed to swallow the Perlmans whole, driving them to ruin.
I never imagined Thiago would claw his way back for revenge.
He didn’t care about my shock. He moved according to his own plan, step by step..
In no time, his men had taken control of the entire Clarion Hotel.
He dragged my struggling body straight into the party hall
There, he let out a crooked, ugly grin.
“I want to see,” he said, “who matters more in Ridley’s heart–his wife… or his mistress and his bastard.“2
The moment the words left his mouth, Ridley spotted us.
His expression froze, horror flashing across his face.
Around us, his bodyguards clashed violently with the men Thiago had brought.”
Without warning, Thiago yanked me forward and shoved me right in front of Ridley.
“Tell your men to stand down, Ridley,” he ordered, “or your pretty wife’s face gets a brand–new scar.”
He pulled out a knife and pressed the cold blade against my cheek.
A sharp sting split my skin as the tip sliced a fine, shallow line.
Ridley’s eyes went widel “Let her go!” he roared. “Stop! All of you, stop right now!”
The hall fell into a heavy, ringing silence.X
Every gaze was locked on us.
Thiago’s grin widened, his voice dripping with malice. The knife’s edge traced a slow path along my face.!!
“Oh, so you do care about Agnes. Right–if not for her, you wouldn’t have taken the Perlmans so easily, leaving us in ruins.”
He turned that cruel glare on me. Then, catching the tension in Ridley’s expression, Thiago broke into loud and mocking laughter.
to
“I hear today’s your bastard son’s fifth birthday,” he sneered. “Tell you what–let’s celebrate with a little game. You get to decide who dies.”
He shoved me toward the spiral staircase.
The tall, winding steps led straight down to the marble floor below. If I fell.. my life–and the life of the child in my womb- would end instantly!!!
Panic clawed through me; I thrashed harder in his grip.X
Annoyed by my resistance, Thiago whipped his hand hard across my face.
“Ridley” he barked. “Choose–trade your mistress and your bastard for Agnes, or I will throw her down these stairs right now!” he asked heartlessly.
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2:16 AM P. Picay
Meanwhile, Lynzee clutched Ridley’s hand, her voice trembling. “Ridley, let me go to Agnes’s place. Just me. Please. I’m carrying your child too–this way, at least, we’ll be giving him what he wants.“”
A flicker of shock crossed Ridley’s face. He hadn’t known she was pregnant again.”
Seeing his hesitation, Lynzee stepped toward us.
But before she could get too far, Ridley suddenly grabbed her arm and yanked her back.
