As the end of the workday approached, Macie sent Alice the location of the restaurant she had reserved. But just then, Julian messaged her too, saying that he would be passing by after work to check on her. So Macie took the opportunity to invite him to dinner as well.Julian came to pick her up as Macie waited by the side of the road.Not far behind, a black car slowly pulled out from a parking spot. The driver had planned to speed straight toward her, but traffic kept getting in the way.Frustrated, he began to switch lanes, inching closer to the side where Macie stood. His foot pressed down on the gas as he kept his eyes locked on the target, ready to veer into her at just the right moment, when suddenly, a car pulled up beside her.She got in, and the moment was lost. Brandon clenched his jaw in frustration.He had been planning to kill both of them right there. But out of nowhere, someone appeared from the side.A plainclothes bodyguard had been watching the suspicious vehic
At that moment, on the top floor of Fowler Group, Edward asked Nathan, "Did Macie get home safely?""Yes. The bodyguards followed her all the way to the complex and watched her go in," Nathan answered.Edward listened, but still didn't feel at ease. Yosef's people were protecting Macie, but they couldn't enter the residential compound. The security system at Sunnyridge Heights wasn't strict at all. If the perpetrator wanted to gain entry, they'd find a way.He remembered what he'd thought of doing before—to buy out Sunnyridge Heights—and now, the idea came back to him.But doing that wouldn't escape Yosef's notice. No matter how small a property, it was still real estate. Edward frowned, thinking for several seconds, then suddenly had an idea."Nathan, find someone to contact the property management company at Macie's apartment complex and arrange to acquire it," Edward instructed. "Do it quietly. Don't use my name. That way, Grandpa won't find out about it."Buying the entire co
"Dinner tonight? I'll cook," Macie said."No way. You just got discharged today. Yesterday morning, you were still getting IV nutrients. I'm worried you'll faint in the kitchen," Alice said quickly."Then let me treat you to a meal. We'll go to a restaurant," Macie offered.Alice didn't refuse this time, and the two of them set a time.When they arrived outside Sunnyridge Heights, they got out of the car. Five bodyguards followed them to the gate."Thanks. Please let Mr. Fowler Senior know that I've arrived," Macie said, flashing a smile to the lead bodyguard.The bodyguard nodded and waited until she had entered the complex before turning back.Alice stayed for a bit at Macie's place, had a cup of latte, then got ready to head back to the office."I'm sorry for taking up your time. Let me walk you out," Macie said."What time? I go to work just to kill time. If I don't feel like going, I won't. No one can stop me," Alice said, laughingly. "Just walk me to the elevator. Don'
Julian had initially called to say that he would pick Macie up and take her home, but she firmly and politely declined, telling him to go to work and that Alice would come instead. Julian had no choice but to give in.He knew that she was deliberately trying to maintain some distance between them. Still, he helped her request two extra days off from Palmer so she could rest, and Macie thanked him for that.She hadn't bought a new phone yet. She had lost her old one when she was nearly abducted before. She hadn't touched any electronics during her hospital stay, spending most of her time sleeping to recuperate."May, I'm here to pick you up." The hospital room door swung open, and Alice walked in holding a bouquet of flowers. "Wishing you a future free of illness. Stay safe and healthy."Macie smiled as she accepted the flowers, feeling moved by the gesture. "Thank you, Alice.""And this, too. It's a discharge gift." Alice picked up a gift bag and held it out to Macie.Macie looke
No matter how terrible Sharon's character was, she was still the young lady of the Hale family. Elias would definitely step in to handle things for her. Still, Mitch wondered how someone could be this rotten. Sharon was clearly in the wrong, yet she had resorted to abduction. And once she gained the upper hand, she dragged innocent people down with her.Elias said it was because of her upbringing, but Mitch didn't buy that. Not every child who came out of that orphanage went on to become a criminal. Mitch believed that it still came down to a person's nature. But thoughts like that could only be kept to himself. He'd never dare say them out loud.As Mitch was lost in these thoughts, Elias asked him, "Did Morgan notice anything while following Sharon during the day?"Mitch shook his head. "No. Ms. Emerson only went shopping at the mall and then headed to the office. She didn't go anywhere else. During the time she was in her hotel room, we monitored her social media feed. Nothing s
"Why don't you take a look yourself? This was when Sharon had just come back to the residence after being released from the detention center. The security guard blocked her from entering, and she went crazy. She even started attacking us," Claire said as she stepped forward. She held out her hand, which was holding the USB drive, and continued, "We had to call the police before she finally ran off. She ripped out a handful of my hair."Mitch glanced at the USB drive, then reached out to take it.Just then, the police arrived and took Claire and the others away. As she was being escorted out, Claire turned back to look at Mitch. She was unwilling to accept her fate. "Which one of us is actually worse than Sharon? She's just lucky. If we had a powerful background too, would we have to put up with her crap?"Her voice faded as she was led off. Mitch slipped the USB drive into his pocket.The investigation was still ongoing, but his part of the cleanup was almost complete. He was get