Início / I'm a Flight Risk, Handle With Care / Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 9

Todos os capítulos de I'm a Flight Risk, Handle With Care: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 9

9 Capítulos

Chapter 1

I had been an avoidant since I was little.When Mom was pregnant with me, she spent all day glued to her phone watching fierce feminist live streams.The streamer would scream at the top of her lungs, "Accept your losses, pay the bill, and walk away! That's the attitude of a powerhouse!"Maybe the prenatal education worked a little too well.Ever since I could remember, whenever I encountered uncomfortable people or situations, I never argued or made a fuss.I just ran.When I was eight, Mom forgot to pick me up from school.While the other kids stood at the school gate crying and waiting for their parents, I strapped on my backpack, fished out six months' worth of saved allowance money, and bought a long-distance bus ticket.By the time Mom tracked me down, it was already the wee hours of the next morning. She hugged me and cried so hard she could barely catch her breath, but I only said one thing. "I won't wait for someone who won't show up."After that, Mom showed up half

Chapter 2

The elevator doors closed in front of Jerome.I took the last bus, then switched to a shared bike.By the time I pedaled up to the front gate of my neighborhood, a black Maybach was already parked by the curb.Jerome leaned against the car door, giving me a light wave of his hand. "You ride pretty fast."I squeezed the brakes. "How do you know where I live?""I asked Katie."Jerome unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it to me. "Let's try this again. I'm Jerome Howard, 25, single, and have never been in a relationship. Can I ask you out?"I turned him down flat. "No."He nodded smoothly. "You're free to reject me, and I'm free to ask you out."I pushed my bike inside, and Jerome walked right alongside me."Also, about those three seconds earlier, it wasn't that I didn't take a liking to you. I was wondering why Katie kept such a gorgeous friend hidden away and only bothered to introduce you today."I didn't answer. I just walked right past him and headed inside my apartmen

Chapter 3

Jerome stepped out of the master bedroom and pulled me aside. "She just got back, and her place is flooded right now. She's only staying for a few days."He squeezed my hand gently. "Cut me some slack, okay?"I pulled my hand back and said nothing more.Three days later, Jerome had a custom designer gown delivered to me."Come with me to a charity gala tonight," he said.After I put on the gown, I went downstairs and found Cindy in the car too, wearing a red dress.She patted the seat next to her. "Demi, come sit over here."I looked over at Jerome.Once we arrived at the venue, Jerome kept a firm hold of my hand the entire time.When people came over to toast him, his very first line was always, "This is my girlfriend, Demi Atkinson."Someone teased with a laugh. "I'd heard long ago that you spoil your partner. I finally got to see it in person today."Cindy stood off to the side all by herself. She tried to chime in a few times, but no one paid her any mind.Just then, sh

Chapter 4

#Early the next morning, Jerome wrapped his arms around me from behind. "I was wrong last night. We'll redo our anniversary dinner tonight at the same restaurant."I said nothing.Jerome leaned down and kissed my cheek. "I've arranged for my assistant to take care of Cindy. Even if she ends up in the hospital this time, I won't leave your side."Walking over to the doorway, he turned back to remind me, "Tonight, at eight. Dress up nice. I've got a surprise for you."I gave a slight nod. "Okay."The moment the front door closed, I popped open my suitcase. I packed up my passport, documents, laptop, and bank cards.I left behind every designer gown, piece of jewelry, and handbag Jerome had ever given me.I didn't need anything I couldn't take with me."Accept your losses, pay the bill, and walk away. That's the attitude of a powerhouse."That was my life's motto, the words I lived by.I rolled my suitcase downstairs and grabbed a cab to the airport.On the way, Jerome sent me

Chapter 5

Jerome stood in the empty room, stunned for several long seconds.As if the reality finally registered, he whipped out his phone and called me, only to realize my phone was powered off.He dialed a dozen more times in a row, but the speaker returned only the same ice-cold recorded prompt."Babe, where did you go?"The moment he hit send, a single gray mark remained beside the message.Jerome's face paled completely. He combed through every single social media app, only to realize I had blocked him everywhere.The next second, he dialed Mom's number. "Mrs. Atkinson, did Demi go home?""No.""Then where did she go?"Mom paused for a few seconds. "If even you don't know, how would I?"Jerome gripped his phone tightly. "She took off over a tiny matter and won't answer her phone. Please talk some sense into her. She's being unreasonable."Mom's voice turned instantly cold. "When she was eight years old, I was late picking her up just once, and she boarded a long-distance bus out

Chapter 6

When Carolina arrived, Cindy had yet to finish packing.She blocked the doorway, clinging fiercely to her suitcase. "Jerome allowed me to stay here! What right do you have to kick me out?"Carolina handed her the ownership records. "The registered owner is Ms. Atkinson. She has already revoked your access privileges. Please vacate the premises immediately."Cindy whipped her head around to look at Jerome. "Jerome, there's a crisis with the charity project my dad left behind. The foundation is pulling its funding. You're the only one who can help me now."Jerome picked up her suitcase and set it straight outside the door. "If there's an issue with the project, go take it up with the project director. This is Demi's house, not your shelter."With reddened eyes, Cindy grabbed onto him. "But she doesn't even want you anymore! Even if you guard this apartment for her, she's not coming back!"Jerome shoved her hand off. "Get out."Biting her lip hard, Cindy dragged her suitcase away.

Chapter 7

Early the next morning, the moment I pushed open the conference room door, Cindy bolted up from her seat. "Demi, you actually had the nerve to come back?"I set the lawyer's letter down right in front of her. "Didn't you want a face-to-face confrontation?"Cindy's face went rigid, her eyes immediately flushing red.Jerome strode over to me and grabbed my wrist in a tight grip. "When did you get back? Come home with me. We need to talk this through properly."I yanked my hand back. "I don't have a home with you."Jerome was about to speak again when Liam tapped his knuckles on the tabletop."Let's get the facts straight first. Cindy, you've been telling everyone that Demi took Jerome's money and ran. Do you have any proof?"Cindy bit her lip. "Jerome transferred those two million dollars to her himself. She fled the country the very next day after taking the money."I slid my phone over to her, showing the transaction record. "I've already returned the money. Also, the timestamp

Chapter 8

The chief auditor pushed the files across the table. "The quotes from six suppliers are three times above the market rate. And the actual controlling parties for four of those companies share familial ties with Ms. Grant."Cindy bolted up from her seat. "Nonsense!"The auditor turned to the next page. "Furthermore, 370 sponsored children have duplicate identities. The so-called winter camps and rehabilitation centers were never actually carried out either."Liam slammed his hand heavily on the table. "Where did the money go?"Cindy grabbed onto Jerome. "Jerome, I was just using it for short-term cash flow! My company ran into trouble, but I was going to make up the difference later!"Jerome shoved her off. "You used relief funds to plug your company's financial hole?""I had no choice!" Cindy cried and screamed. "After my dad died, everyone was waiting to see me fail. As long as you help me make up the 26 million dollars, everything will be fine!"I let out a soft laugh. "So thi

Chapter 9

The second the elevator doors closed, Cindy came rushing out after Jerome.She fell to her knees, clinging to his leg with all her might. "Jerome, I'm sorry! I'll pay back the 26 million dollars. Please just speak to your grandpa for me!"Jerome looked down at her. "You deliberately tricked me into leaving that night at the gala."Cindy shook her head, sobbing. "I was just so in love with you. I was terrified that once you married Demi, you'd never care about me again.""And on our anniversary? You knew I was going to propose to her, yet you still deliberately fell in the bathroom?"Cindy bit her lip, unable to answer.Jerome shoved her off with a jerk. "Your father saved my life, so I've cleaned up your messes for ten straight years. But you shouldn't have laid a finger on Demi."Cindy collapsed onto the floor, suddenly breaking into laughter. "Jerome, why are you putting on this devoted facade now? Did I hold a knife to your neck and force you to ditch her?"When she asked yo

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