Chapter 81
Shawn was unceremoniously tossed out by the bodyguards, landing on his feet with a thud. Cindy and Kate were pacing anxiously outside, their nerves stretched thin.
Cindy, almost in tears, fretted, “Shawn, what are we going to do now? Did we really offend the Hartley family? What about our investments?”
Kate was equally on edge. “The Hartleys have such powerful connections. Do you think they’ll come after us?”
Shawn didn’t acknowledge them. He walked away like a marionette with its strings cut, his face vacant, devoid of any spark.
After the party, Joshua walked Allison back to her apartment. Standing at the entrance, Allison hesitated before speaking up, “About today…”
Joshua stood close, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His voice was soft, tinged with a hint of sadness. “He said if you’d told him who you were earlier, you might’ve been married by now, happy even. I admit, for a moment, I was scared that if you…”
“There are no ‘ifs,” Allison interrupted, meeting Joshua’s intense gaze with determination. “Joshua, don’t stress over things that never happened.”
“And besides…” She grew unusually serious. “I never actually intended to marry Shawn.”
Joshua’s eyes brightened. “Really?”
Allison nodded with a warm smile. “Yeah.”
As a cool breeze swept by, Allison shivered slightly, but her eyes were alight with excitement. “I never considered marrying Shawn before, but now, I’m really looking forward to our engagement party.”
Joshua shrugged off his jacket, draped it over her shoulders, and pulled her close. “I can’t wait either.”
Shawn drove off from the estate alone, his destination unknown.
Meanwhile, Kate drove Cindy back to their hotel. They reached the hotel’s dim underground parking lot, and as soon as they stepped out of the car, they were ambushed, knocked out, and had bags tossed over their heads.
When they came to, they found themselves in a dimly lit, noisy room. They were pinned down against a glass table by some rough–looking men.
In front of them sat a guy with tattoos, lounging casually with a smirk that screamed trouble. “I’m in a good mood today. How about sharing a few drinks with me?” he sneered.
Cindy always prided herself on being a high–society lady,and had never been subjected to such treatment. She immediately began berating the tattooed man.
The man just chuckled, nodding towards a guy in black. Without missing a beat, the guy in black yanked Cindy up and delivered two sharp slaps to her face.
Cindy was left stunned, her cheeks burning. She clutched her face, glaring at the tattooed man. “Who are you people? Why did you bring me here?”
The tattooed man casually picked at his ear, “Wow, you sure talk a lot. Keep it up, and I might just cut out your tongue.”
He twirled a Swiss army knife in his hand, its blade glinting ominously. Cindy’s legs turned to jelly, and she quickly shut her mouth, too frightened to utter another word.
Kate was still pinned to the table. The tattooed man picked up a glass of liquor and splashed it on her, “Drink
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Chapter 81
all the booze on this table, and you’re free to go.”
Cindy gasped, “I can’t handle my liquor!”
The tattooed man snorted, signaling his goons to force–feed them the drinks. Despite their struggles, Cindy and Kate were held down and made to drink copious amounts of alcohol until their stomachs were painfully bloated.
The tattooed man pressed the cold blade against Kate’s cheek, narrowing his eyes, “When you’re out in the world, be smart. Don’t mess with the wrong people.”
Kate quivered, her lips trembling. She was paralyzed with fear, and her face appeared ashen.
“Got it?” The tattooed man suddenly raised his voice, making both Kate and Cindy flinch.
With their lives in these men’s hands, Cindy and Kate had to nod vigorously. “We understand.”
