Chapter 27
Loretta didn’t say a word at first. She just pulled out her phone and punched in some numbers. When the call went through, she finally spoke up. “Bruno, you showing up here to stop me? Please. It’s not gonna work. It just makes me wanna hurl.”
“Loretta…” Bruno’s hands balled into fists, and he was really trying to keep his cool. His voice sounded rough, and his face Tooked like he was in pain. “I get that you can’t deal with what went down that day, but I’m hurting too.”
“Hurting?” Loretta let out a laugh, but it was one
those laughs that didn’t light up her eyes. “So when you say hurting you mean you drugged my drink, planned to do some real bad stuff, but ended up getting hurt ‘cause you got the wrong person?”
Bruno’s chest got all tight, and his eyes were filled with disbelief and panic.
But when he looked into Loretta’s eyes, he knew she wasn’t buying any more lies, So he finally owned up. “Alright, I had someone put the drug in your drink, but it was only ‘cause I love you so much. You’ve been making me feel all kinds of shaky lately, and I just wanted us to be close before we tied the knot, so I wouldn’t keep stressing. Loretta, I love you to the moon and back. I’d do anything for you.
“Even if it means dying?“Loretta shot back, her voice as cold as sce.
“Uh…” Bruno was taken aback by her question. But after a beat, he answered with all the sincerity he could muster, even if it means dying”
“Ha!” Loretta let out a cold laugh. “What about Amy, then?”
Bruno spoke up, all confident–like. “I don’t have feelings for her. I’ll just say I’m sorry.”
“Yeah,
“Fine,” Loretta shot back, then go ahead and die. After saying that, she ended the call, leaving Bruno with a face full of confusion, and started walking towards her car.
For a second, Bruno was frozen, but when he saw Loretta about to hop in her car, he freaked out. Something inside him knew he couldn’t let her just drive away. “Loretta!” he yelled, and then he sprinted towards her.
But Loretta was ready. She slapped her hand on the car and kicked out her leg, sending Bruno flying back a few feet. Before he could steady himself, she hopped into the car and took off with a zoom.
As the car disappeared, Bruno took a few shaky steps forward, holding his side where she’d kicked him. He yelled after her, “Loretta, do I have to die for you to forgive me?”
He was willing to do whatever it took to make Loretta love him again; his whole world depended on it. Loretta had told him to drop dead, and maybe he needed to prove he was serious. With that thought, he started walking towards his car with a strong purpose.
As soon as Bruno’s car was out of sight, Alex, who had planned to talk things over with Loretta, decided to do something else instead.
He uploaded the video he’d just filmed to his social media with caption that showed how amazed he was: [Whoa! Our elegant Loretta just showed off some serious moves. When she kicked Bruno, it was like she kicked her way into my heart. I’m totally head over heels for her right now.]
Meanwhile, back at the Lindsey Group’s fancy meeting room. Whenever they had one of these work check–ins, the different Lindsey family branches always ended up in a huge squabble.
Today, they were talking about the Nine Dragons Goblet bil. Michael hadn’t won it, and the other branches had been giving him a hard time for over half an hour.
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He was about to lose it when he noticed Malcolm, the only one in the room who was on his phone. “Malcolm was in Maveris too,” Michael blurted out. “I didn’t have enough cash to keep going, but he definitely did. Why don’t you ask him why he didn’t keep bidding against John?”
Malcolm was already in a bad mood after seeing Alex’s video. When he heard his name, he put his phone away with a sharp. glance at Michael. “Say that again,” he said.
His voice sounded casual but with a force that was totally intimidating, making Michael’s heart do a little dance. Michael’s face turned as red as a tomato, and he yelled even louder, “Did I say something wrong?”
Bang! Malcolm suddenly stood up and kicked the chair behind him, sendifg it flying and crashing to the floor.
The noise made Michael’s lips quiver. “Wh–What are you going to do?” he stammered.
Malcolm put both hands on the big meeting table and leaned in close, his voice deep and serious. “Say it again.”
Malcolm’s presence was like a heavy weight in the room, making it tough for Michael to catch his breath. He pointed at Malcolm, anger in his eyes. “You… you…”
But Malcolm wasn’t having it. He looked around the room at the others, who were steaming but too scared to say anything- In a deep voice, he said, “It looks like I haven’t been keeping you all busy enough. If you have time to fight over this nonsense, then you’ll have plenty to do from now on.”
“Uncle Michael.” Malcolm turned to Michael, his tone leaving no room for argument, “Since you lost the bid to the Broderick family, you’ll be in charge of the jewelry launch next quarter. If you can’t beat the Brodericks, then maybe it’s. time for someone more capable to take your spot as general manager.”
Without giving Michael a chance to argue, Malcolm walked out of the conference room.
Loretta was on her way to meet her friends at their go–to spot, a restaurant that was tucked away by the peaceful Westvillle Lake, far from the noisy city.
The place had a fancy and quiet vibe. It wasn’t a cheap place to eat, and not many people knew about it. The ones who did were either folks who loved high–end food or important people looking for a quiet corner.
“Loretta!” Vanessa called out, popping her head out of a private room as Loretta strolled down the hallway that curved over the lake. She waved at Loretta with lots of energy.
Loretta told the manager who was leading her, “It’s okay. I can find my way.”
The manager nodded and headed off.
Loretta stepped into the private room and found Vanessa, along with another woman who had short hair and was dressed to impress. This woman had a strong and charismatic presence that filled the room.
Vanessa, who was 5 feet 5 inches tall and had a sweet look about her, was sitting next to the confident woman, making for a really interesting pair.
“Loretta, come on in!” Vanessa said. “I was just chatting with Robin about you, and now you’re here?
Robyn Doyle gave Loretta a nod and sized her up before speaking. “Seems like you’re doing really well now.”
Loretta walked over and joined them at the table. “Absolutely, I all good,” she said, and raised her coffee cup in a toast Thanks for the help this time around.”
Robyn raised her coffee cup too, giving it a little top against Loretta’s “No need to thank me. Just keep your end of the bargain.”
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“I’ve already picked out something special for you,” Loretta said.
“Thanks,” Robyn replied.
Vanessa was in the dark about the fact that Loretta had hired two mercenaries through Robyn. She looked at them, all puzzled, and asked, “What are you guys talking about? I’m totally lost.”
Loretta gave Vanessa a friendly smile and explained, “I asked Robyn for a little help, and as a favor, she wanted me to find the most awesome gift for her grandpa’s birthday party.”
“Ah, I see, Vanessa said, nodding. She was curious about the kind of help Loretta had needed from Robyn, but Loretta smoothly shifted the conversation. It was clear that Loretta wasn’t planning on sharing all the details with everyone.
SEND GIFT
