The Road to Rebirth Her Fresh Start and His Late Sorrow by Helena R. Bates

"Who gave you the confidence to think you could compete with Nancy?" Judson's sharp gaze suddenly focused on Malcolm's face.

"Malcolm, my patience is limited. I'll count to ten, and if you haven't made a choice, I'll make it for you. Rest assured, the man I pick for you will be even less desirable than John."

Malcolm clenched his fists tightly, his face a mask of frustration.

Judson began counting slowly, his voice echoing through the living room with icy authority. "One, two..."

Even Lilly, who had been trying to remain calm, was now panicking. Her eyes welled up with tears as she turned to Hank. "Hank, are you really going to let Judson drive Malcolm to ruin?"

"There's no choice, Lilly. Malcolm, like The Grey Group, can't tell what's important," Hank replied sharply. "If he hadn't provoked Judson, none of this would be happening."

Lilly's face contorted with anger. "Hank, how can you let Judson do this to Malcolm "

Judson cut her off with a sinister edge in his voice. "Eight, nine..."

As the final number was about to leave his lips, Malcolm, who had been silent, spoke up with a cold expression. "I'll go to New York."

Lilly's eyes widened in disbelief. "Malcolm-"

say no more. Do you want me to lose everything, or worse, my stake

but Malcolm's sharp words stung. "Of course not, but going to New York,

Exile.

unspoken, Malcolm knew

met Judson's mocking gaze with a steely stare. "Judson, you've won this round, but don't count on winning

out," Judson said with a dismissive

wanted to protest further, but Malcolm's

Hank's

instructed, "Pack my bags and arrange for the doctor to perform the surgery as soon as I land

"Malcolm. Lilly began, but

Malcolme

and Hank's unyielding demeanor

but to

had lost this battle, but it was

nodded approvingly, gesturing to Malcolm's crew.

the command, the entourage quickly