After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 15

Rebecca turned toward the voice,

Stanley, in a perfectly tailored suit, offered an apologetic smile that reached his eyes, his whole presence radiating a friendly warmth.

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“Please excuse my bodyguards—they can be overprotective,” Stanley said, taking a seat and pouring coffee for Rebecca. “Please take a seat. Let’s talk about your ring.”

“I’ve changed my mind about selling it,” Rebecca said, checking her dead phone signal as she plotted her escape.

“Ms. Jensen, I’d encourage you to reconsider,” Stanley said, pushing the coffee toward her. “If this is about me running late or my guys being rude, l’il make it worth your while.”

“No, it’s not that. I just want to keep it for sentimental reasons,” Rebecca said.

Stanley spun his cup slowly, his whole vibe changing. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” Rebecca said.

“I guess you don’t know how I operate, Ms. Jensen,” Stanley said, dragging out his words. “I don’t usually make offers like this. When people flake at the last minute… let’s just say it pisses me off.”

Rebecca’s knuckles went white around her bag strap.

Stanley took a slow sip of coffee. “Throw out a number.”

“Fifteen million,” Rebecca said, hoping the crazy number would make him back off.

“I’m making a real offer here, Ms. Jensen. I hope you don’t take me for some easy mark,” Stanley said, setting down his cup with a calm smile. “How about 600 dollars?”

It was painfully clear to Rebecca now–he wasn’t here to negotiate, but to mess with her.

She gripped her phone tighter. “I’m not selling it.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to do this the hard way,” Stanley said, signaling his bodyguards with a look, and the two men moved in instantly.

Sensing trouble, Rebecca thumbed her emergency call button. But before she could complete the call, they snatched the phone from her hand and pinned her arms behind her back.

“This is robbery!” Rebecca shouted.

chin up as he delivered his lines. “I couldn’t touch you when Jeffrey had

sank

up, blindfold her, and put her in the suite next door. My important

“If I’m not back in ten minutes, she’s calling

Shaking like a leaf, Rebecca had no choice but to let the

called toward the side room, “This is the woman you treat like precious

way to make a lesson stick,” Jeffrey’s cool voice responded. He

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Chapter 15

as his eyes locked on where

to sell the ring. If I don’t teach her a lesson now, who

her,” Stanley said, always more considerate toward women. “If she gets truly frightened, you’ll be the one who ends up

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mind replayed what he had just seen, his intense gaze unconsciously dropped

the gaze. “What’s

did you use to touch her?” Jeffrey’s voice held a quiet

you for real? I was following your plan.

I’m crazy…” Jeffrey replied

that’s how it’s gonna be, count me out next

derisive snort. “Some backbone you’ve

stare in frustration. The only thing stopping him from throwing Jeffrey out the window

thought of the terrified Rebecca next door. “And nobody comes up here without my

to interrupt,” Stanley said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, though he couldn’t help adding a word of caution.

shot him a sharp,

I’m gone,” Stanley said immediately, backing off

headed out with his bodyguards and secretary in tow. Jeffrey waited until he heard the elevator doors slide

bound body trembling against her will. She tried to scream, but

the floor grew closer, sending fresh waves of fear through

her vision taken, every other sense became

But then he remembered how she tried to sell the ring he gave her without even asking, and the anger came rushing

slow

trying to escape his touch,