Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 162: Replacement...

With her disguise complete, Jessica turned toward Anna one last time. "Remember what I said. Lock the door. Don’t come out until someone I come to seek you out, can you recognize my voice?"

Anna nodded severally. "Be careful," she whispered.

Jessica didn’t respond. She simply gave a tight smile and unlocked the door, slipping back into the hallway like a shadow—quiet, invisible, and deadly.

Anna felt cold all over as she stood in the dimly lit room. The scent of stale perfume and cheap cologne lingering in the air. She hadn’t anticipated encountering such a situation today.

Her hands trembled as she sat on the edge of the couch in the empty room Jessica had pulled her into just moments ago, her thought swirling with emotions. She dare not make the slightest noise or whimper she still wanted her life.

Today, she had been assigned to serve two older men—men old enough to be her father, if he were still alive. Their names didn’t matter, but their power and wealth did. They were filthy rich. Men already accustomed to getting what they wanted, no matter the cost. She found herself grappling with a mix of fear and resignation.

She couldn’t compete with them as she had nothing, . Just a sick mother lying on a hospital bed with tubes and machines keeping her alive. Her mother needed medication, constant care, and, most of all, surgery—one they couldn’t afford.

She had knocked on every door, begged every relative, cried through long nights, and even worked three jobs at once. Nothing had worked. She hadn’t planned to end up here.

The Gray Jones club and bar popularly referred to as 24 Hours All Night club was her last option as introduced by a someone. A place where girls sold smiles, charm, and sometimes more—to survive.

Jessica had promised to come back for her. Anna knew better than to believe in promises out of her experiences for the past years. But still, something about that woman: her eyes, her strength, her confidence—sparked a small flame of belief inside Anna.

Anna knew she shouldn’t be trusting her but then what else can she do then praying and hoping she wouldn’t forget.

~In the lounge~

Armed with information she had gathered from Anna. Jessica made her way to the room where the meeting had to be held.

Jessica walked quietly, her face partly hidden by her hair and the shadows. The air was thick with expensive cologne, cigarette smoke, and the low hum of laughter and murmured conversations.

Her steps were light, her presence lacking the usual composure of pride and arrogance since she had to put herself in the place of a weak girl who couldn’t defend herself. The dim lights of the club reflected off her earrings, the tray of drinks steady in her hands.

the lounge, his eyes trailed her body, slow and full of hunger. He leaned back in his seat with a smirk, completely unaware that the woman before him wasn’t the

a lazy smile, his brow furrowed at first at

he might have been mistaken because Jessica had been missing for quite some time.The scent of whiskey clung to him like a second skin. His face was flushed, his eyes glazed, but he still managed to grin when Desmond gestured toward Jessica.

But then she had to

sure their collaboration had been in the far back dating to only when they both

and casting a sly glance at Jessica. "We’ll enjoy her company afterward.

placed the drinks on the table with quiet precision, her eyes lowered

sharp.

table securely. She was sure

a hand sloppily. "Alright. Talk. Let’s talk about

lowering his voice slightly but not enough to escape Jessica’s

Brown group is already an empty shell, do you mind handing it over to me,I believe you understand how well it will favour your intentions?" He asked, his gaze lingering on him longer than

slightly. Her heart pounding anxiously as

"My intentions has always been clear, to hold onto that group and for Jessica, she is to remain in your family and never

cup his drink. "George, I don’t see why you have to bother about Jessica when you have practically arranged

worried especially after she married your crippled nephew, what if he develops interest in

must be a rich dream for him." He smirked with a

his sole property and legacy and never had the intention

complete hold of the group. "Desmond, if you really want this to work grant me funds to grow the group and not to hand

do? And at this time?" Desmond asked, the bitting sharpness

it. Also, the Allen Family is yet to do something concerning my missing daughter."

bitterly. "Help you? Do you think I can easily cough out money now . I told you what to do and yet you

till this minute,

recall the agreement

this was the truth. George was willing to sacrifice anything within reach

wanted it this way?" George growled suddenly, slamming his glass on the table. "You think I like watching everything I built turn to dust? I did what I could!