Chapter 40

Jocelyn drew a slow breath, her lips curling into a cruel smile. “Amber,” she purred, “you’ll always be my good girl, won’t you?”

Amber nodded quickly, her eyes downcast. A wicked thought flashed through Jocelyn’s mind. Sienna, let’s wait and see.

The mere thought of Sienna set jealous fire raging through Jocelyn’s veins. Damn you, Sienna. You should’ve stayed dead. Her pretty face contorted with the ugly emotion. “Amber,” she said icily, “get me a chocolate cake from East Street. Now.”

Amber’s face lit up. “I’ll go right now,” she chirped. That bright smile was too much. Jocelyn forced a pleasant expression while seething inside.

Smack!

Jocelyn’s palm cracked across Amber’s cheek, sending her sprawling. Before Amber could gasp, Jocelyn seized her by the hair and hauled her upright, snarling. “How many times must I tell you? No smiling! What kind of girl grins like an idiot? Looking for male attention?”

Trembling violently, Amber crumpled into a tight ball. “Sorry, Jocelyn. No more smiling, I swear. Please stop,” she begged, arms raised to shield her face.

Jocelyn released her, dark satisfaction surging through her. With deliberate slowness, she knelt and stroked Amber’s reddened cheek, only to dig her nails in when Amber whimpered.

“Darling, I hate hurting you,” Jocelyn crooned. “But those filthy men will think you’re easy prey if you keep smiling. They’ll take advantage. I’m only protecting you.” She crushed Amber in a smothering hug, whispering wetly near her ear, “You know I love you best, don’t you?”

Amber sniffled. “You’re right, Jocelyn. Everything you do is for my good. I’ll obey. No more smiles.” Her voice cracked like stepped-on twigs.

“Good girl.” Jocelyn held out a crumpled bill. “Take this and buy my cake. Keep the change for water if you’re thirsty.”

“Thank you, Jocelyn. I’ll be back soon.” Amber hastily wiped her tears and clutched the money. As Amber scampered off gratefully, Jocelyn’s gaze slid to the clock. “Eleven o’clock. Run along, little lamb.”

Amber hurried down the shadowy alley, the crumpled bill clutched in her sweaty hand. Chocolate cake. Keep going. One hour left. Gotta get it for...

Then, out of nowhere, several thugs appeared, surrounding her with leering grins. Amber stumbled back in terror. She needed to call the police, but Jocelyn had taken her phone long ago, claiming it would distract her from her studies.

“Hey sweetheart,” the first thug crooned, blocking her path, “why rush? Let us walk you home. We’ll keep you real safe.”

“What’s wrong? Scared?” Another voice rasped from behind, “Don’t worry, we’ll play nice. Just tell us where you live.”

Their voices oozed like sludge from a dumpster. When Amber turned to run, a beefy arm blocked her way. “Running away? That’s rude,” the lead man said, spreading his arms. “Kids shouldn’t walk alone. Let us take you home.”

When the man moved to grab her, Amber screamed at the top of her lungs, “Stay back! I’ll call the police! My sister will hear about this!”

“Listen up! She’s got a sister,” the man sneered to his buddies. “Why don’t you call her over? More girls, more fun.” He took another step toward…

Amber screamed, stumbling backward as her hands flew up in defense. Her heart pounded so hard she could barely breathe. “Help me! Somebody!” Her voice cracked with terror as she frantically scanned the empty street.

“Keep screaming,” the man chuckled darkly. “Nobody comes here this late.” Desperate, Amber clenched the money in her fist, still thinking about Jocelyn’s chocolate cake.

“Bullying girls when I’m around? How dare you?” A cool voice cut through the air. The thugs spun toward the sound. There stood another girl in a black skirt and a white jacket. Her sweet face was a stark contrast to the ice in her glare.

“Hey look, another girl!” But a sickening crack cut off the thug’s words as his wrist bent the wrong way. Before his buddies could blink, the girl became a whirlwind of violence—elbows smashing noses, knees crunching into ribs, feet sweeping legs.

The first thug hit the ground with a thud, howling in pain. The others stumbled over each other in their panic to escape, dark stains spreading down their pants.

“Pathetic,” Reno sneered at the fleeing thugs, then turned to Amber with sudden gentleness, offering a lollipop. “Here, sweetheart. Sugar helps after…”

Amber shook her head like a cornered rabbit, arms locked around herself. Before Reno could even say "hospital," Amber took off like a shot. Staring at her own reflection in a car window, Reno frowned. "Do I really look that scary?"

Chapter 40

At the police station, Mason blankly took back his things, dazed by his luck. His three accomplices faced harsher fates. Ron and Lily were sentenced to prison, while Lily’s confession painted Chloe as an innocent victim, letting her walk away.

As Chloe turned to leave, Lily caught her sleeve. “Take good care of my kids,” she whispered urgently. “They’re all I’ve got.” Chloe gave a solemn nod.

Finally free, Chloe nearly cried with relief. The moment she saw Mason, she flung herself at him. “Mason, I’ve missed you so much,” her words tumbled out in a rush. “This was all Lily and Ron’s doing. You know I was fooled too, right? Let’s go say sorry to Vivian together. She’ll forgive us.”

Mason shoved her away, wiping his sleeves as if she were diseased. “Get lost, harlot. If I see you again, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” His eyes burned with barely contained rage.

Her mind blank and heart skipping a beat, Chloe desperately grabbed Mason’s hand. “Mason, I’m not lying to you,” she pleaded. “Don’t believe it. I truly love you!”

“Get lost,” he snarled, lips twisting in a bitter laugh. “I was a damn idiot to ever believe you had a kind bone in your body.” His fingers curled into fists as the cold chuckle died in his throat.

“Don’t say that,” Chloe cried. “I love you so much.” But Mason ignored her, striding toward Junior Quinn Group with rage boiling in his veins. He wanted to ask Sophie why it took her so long to get him out.

At the company entrance, the guard blocked Mason’s way. Mason’s face flushed red with rage. “Open your damn eyes! Don’t you know who I am?” His fists trembled at his sides as veins throbbed at his temples.