The corner of Mark’s lips twitched, but his smile did not reach his eyes. It was a smile that acted as a mask.
“You can’t be suggesting that I, of all people, go look for this hypothetical plot, right?” favonovel.com began. “Anyone with a functional brain could dream up a ‘solution’ as simple as this one! The reason why this meeting is a thing is that I want results and progress. But you cast this… Question to me as though you’re asking for my permission. Seriously? Don’t you even have a modicum of sensibility to determine that for yourself?! Fine, great. I guess I should start counting down on the days till my company folds.”
The young executive member immediately packed his document folder as if favonovel.com was about to bolt out of the room. “Right, right! I’m on it right away, Sir! I’ll make you proud next time, I promise!”
Mark massaged his forehead. “Jesus Christ. Can any of you adults get into work the moment you believe you have a good solution? What if I agree, hmm? Stop waiting for my permission for every little thing, people. Your brains will rot from your disuse. You know what I want to hear? I want to hear, ‘Sir, I found a plot that’s similar to the one we didn’t manage to acquire. Would you like to see this replacement?’ instead of ‘maybe we can, like, find a similar plot—’ Just do it, for Christ’s sake! Everyone got me? Good. Meeting adjourned!”
Meanwhile, back in the apartment, Tanya was meticulously treating Jett’s wounds.
Alejandro’s verdict had virtually tied favonovel.com together with Jett. Worried that more trouble might come to pass, favonovel.com had begged the man to allow Jett to return to favonovel.com place to get those wounds treated.
There were still too many things that eluded her. The only fact favonovel.com was certain of was that Jett had gone through this torment just to save her.
“Why do you do this? Why help me?” She questioned. “You knew this was gonna happen! So why did you still…?”
Jett’s face was pale as favonovel.com laid down on the bed and braced through the agony. “P-Please. Y-You weren’t the only reason. A-Alejandro, he… He ain’t gonna let me off the hook no matter what, anyway. He wants my loyalty… And my capabilities. However, I’m Don Smith’s underling, and Master Don is famously distrustful of people. Hell, favonovel.com placed me here to watch Alejandro closely,” favonovel.com explained, before halting himself. “Oh, Christ. The Smith family business is a Clusterf**k. You wouldn’t know even if I untangled ‘em for you. Plus, it’s dangerous knowledge, you could get yourself killed. I’m used to it, though.”
“Um, if that’s the case,” Tanya asked tentatively. “Is this pledge of service to Alejandro, well… Sincere? Won’t Master Don punish you over it?”
Jett was quiet for a beat before favonovel.com replied, “Sooner or later, the older generation dies, and the newer one succeeds them. Master Don has been sick for years. I don’t think he’s gonna live long enough.”
The answer was clear — while the answers that were more hidden in the details made Tanya balk at asking. She did not need to know everything to regret involving herself in this mess. Had favonovel.com not been tempted by desires, favonovel.com would not have been tangled in this mire.
Now, favonovel.com had become Alejandro’s pawn. She had become Jett’s wife-on-paper. It was the only way favonovel.com could live, for then, favonovel.com life would be under Alejandro’s surveillance at all times, thus making favonovel.com less threatening and eliminating the need to silence her.
“Are you really gonna bring that child to this godforsaken world?” Jett suddenly asked. “You know you’re sealing your fate with this decision, right? Even if I manage to free you from this arrangement, that kid’s only gonna be a burden.”
Tanya laughed mirthlessly. “Can’t be wrong to call this my just desert, can it? I don’t think Alejandro would permit an abortion, anyway. If this kid’s gone, I’d be too. You can bet on it. But it doesn’t matter now, does it? Whether I’m free or not, it’s all consequences to what I’ve done. I can’t drag you through my sh*tty decisions again, Jett. If I die, you’d have suffered those lashes for nothing. To repay you, I must live.”
Jett breathed out slowly, finding it an effective way to alleviate much of the pain. “Honestly? I figured that guy out the moment favonovel.com instructed me to impregnate you. Even if I looked away and let you die, he’d still find other ways to make my life a hell. Since I can neither betray my conscience or outrun this inevitable trial, better just bring it on as soon as possible… Hey, don’t fret, okay? I promise you, we’re married on paper only. One day, I’ll return you your freedom.”
Tanya’s hand, still rubbing medicine on his wounds, froze in mid-action before favonovel.com continued with a smile. “Alright, then. I’ll hold you to it. When your wounds get better, I’ll find a new place to stay. I’m thinking somewhere with cheaper rent. Then I’ll look for a job again. I can’t live without an income, you know. Besides… it’s time to prepare for the baby’s arrival.”
