Chapter 147
Jessica clicked her heels in her crystal–clear stilettos and walked into the study.
Wendy was left standing alone, frozen in place..
“I feel sorry for you because no one loves you.”
Jessica’s words echoed in her ears over and over again.
Wendy knew Jessica looked down on her. To Jessica, she was just some quiet onlooker, hiding in the shadows, coveting what Jessica had, her mother and Stanley. And Wendy had nothing- no one loved her.
Jessica felt sorry for her.
Wendy’s chest ached as if a thousand needles were piercing her heart. The pain stretched deep inside her, reaching her core. It was so bitterly ironic. Jessica’s mother and Stanley–they had all once been hers!
Wendy’s gaze lingered on the study door ahead. If Jessica spoke to him, would Stanley really release Paul?
Jessica had told her to listen outside, but at this moment, Wendy had lost all her courage.
She couldn’t bear to hear it.
Her heart, once warm, now felt like it was slowly freezing over. She realized she shouldn’t have gotten her hopes up for Stanley.
Because without hope, there could be no disappointment, no more heartache.
The maid arrived with another ice pack. “Mrs. Hawk, you should apply this to your face.”
Wendy shook her head. “No need.”
In the study, Stanley sat in his office chair, reviewing some documents. Jessica walked over to him and began massaging his shoulders. “Stanley, I heard you’re holding Paul.”
Stanley lifted his gaze from the documents. “Did Frank send you?”
His eyes were sharp, and nothing could escape his notice.
Jessica didn’t hesitate to admit it. “Yes, Stanley. Just let Paul go. The Hawk and Andrews families have been close for generations, and you have business dealings with them as well. Do you really want to break such longstanding relationship for Wendy? It’s not worth it.”
Wendy wasn’t worth it. Everyone had said the same thing.
Stanley pushed Jessica’s hand off his shoulder, his expression cold and emotionless. “Jessica, you’re a woman too. I didn’t expect you’d say something like that.”
Jessica paused for a moment, then tried to justify herself. “But Wendy isn’t hurt, is she?”
Stanley’s mood soured. A harsh, dangerous energy filled the room. “I’m not letting him go. You should leave.”
Jessica was stunned. She had made a direct request, and yet Stanley had rejected her. He wouldn’t release Paul.
“Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews came to beg me. I’ve already promised them. Now you won’t release him? How am I supposed to face them when I return?”
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Chapter 147
+25 BONUS
Stanley shot her a chilling glance. “That’s your problem. Who told you to make such a promise?”
Jessica’s face drained of color. She had come with confidence, fully believing that Stanley would do whatever she said. Yet, he had slapped her down with his words.
“Zayn,” Stanley called out.
Zayn immediately entered the room. “Yes, Mr. Hawk?“.
Stanley’s eyes returned to the documents, his tone colder than ever. “Send Jessica home.”
Zayn looked at Jessica. “Ms. Jessica, this way.”
Jessica trembled with anger. Who would have thought she would be treated the same as Frank, unceremoniously thrown out?
She turned to leave but stopped, as if a sudden thought crossed her mind. “Stanley, are you holding Paul because he hurt a girl, or because of Wendy?”
Stanley looked up at her, annoyance flashing in his eyes. His voice was sharp with irritation. “Get out!”
Get out!
The words ignited something inside Jessica. She reached out and knocked a vase off the table, sending it crashing to the floor.
The loud crash echoed through the study.
This was the first time they had fought like this because of Wendy.
In the end, Jessica left.
Stanley, however, seemed completely unmoved, his demeanor colder than ever. The atmosphere around him was icy, oppressive–like a force that no one dared to challenge
