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.

Stanley moved closer, tilting her chin up as he delivered his lines. “I couldn’t touch you when

heart sank at

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

waiting downstairs!” Rebecca blurted out. “If I’m not back in ten minutes,

a leaf, Rebecca had no choice but to let

room, “This is the woman you

make a lesson stick,” Jeffrey’s cool voice responded. He stepped out

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Chapter 15

eyes

tried to sell the ring. If I don’t teach her a lesson

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

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ignored the remark. As his mind replayed what he had just seen, his intense gaze unconsciously dropped

under the gaze. “What’s with the

to touch her?”

was following your plan. You’re not crazy

you said I’m

that’s how it’s gonna be, count me out next time. I’m not being your bad guy and your fall

derisive snort. “Some backbone you’ve

only stare in frustration. The only thing stopping him from

as he thought

interrupt,” Stanley said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, though he couldn’t help adding a word of caution. “Just take it easy, man. She

a sharp, warning

gone,” Stanley said immediately, backing off with his hands

his bodyguards and secretary in tow. Jeffrey waited until he

against her will. She tried to scream, but the tape over her mouth trapped the sound, turning it into

the floor grew closer, sending fresh waves of

vision taken, every other sense

the bed. For a moment, her terrified expression almost made him soften. But then he remembered how she tried to sell the

slow

head wildly, trying to escape his touch,