The next day, Nathan's parents came along with Gilbert. Nathan's mother was clearly ecstatic when she found Haisley, joyfully embracing her tightly. The same joy was evident in Haisley's mother as well, as the women who had been friends for years finally came together. Nevertheless, a hint of sadness could still be seen on Haisley's face, though not too prominently. They then discussed their plans for the next day, including the blessing, the pastor, the wedding venue, and the post-celebration feast. While the parents were discussing the tight schedule, Haisley took the opportunity to inform her two friends about her hastily arranged wedding the next day. Abigail and Flavia were clearly surprised by the news. Abigail even bluntly asked if Haisley was pregnant out of wedlock. However, Haisley firmly replied 'no' to her friend and briefly recounted what had actually happened to her and Nathan, leading to their decision to get married quickly. "If you want," Flavia said in her usual s
Abigail, her friend, looked beautiful in a white dress. It had a Sabrina neckline with straps on each shoulder. The bottom reached her ankles, and when she walked, the dress swayed along with her. Abigail always looked beautiful in Haisley's eyes. She was a friendly and brilliant girl with occasionally crazy ideas. No one would think that at her teenage age, she was already skilled at matchmaking – even though her own love story never succeeded because the only one she loved until now was Gilbert. And no one knew that, even at her young age, Abigail was already good at making money. Clearly, she would become a wealthy woman someday. Flavia, Abigail's friend and cousin, had a personality far different from Abigail's. Flavia was a shy and reserved girl, speaking only when necessary. She had a pure and academically sharp mind. Like Abigail and Haisley, she also had someone she admired, although Abigail now said that Flavia no longer hoped for success in her relationship with the man sh
After having a meal with his family, a decision was made to return. Nathan took Haisley back to the villa they had rented, of course, under the insistence of the parents who understood what the new couple wanted. While the parents planned to return to Manhattan after Haisley left, Flavia kindly asked everyone to stay in the villa and enjoy the vacation as long as they wanted. Haisley's friend mentioned that she was happy because the villa was occupied, especially since Flavia really liked Haisley's three-year-old niece, who was in her active and talkative phase. Haisley felt embarrassed hearing the parents' encouragement because, even though it was said jokingly, she knew there was a hidden meaning from them. Everyone knew what the new couple would face. It was just a matter of time before the bomb exploded. Both they and Haisley knew that she had to make the most of her time with Nathan before the real problems arose. In the short journey from Flavia's villa to Nathan's rented plac
Bryan Thompson, for the first time, Haisley heard the name of Loretta's former fiancé who became a victim of Nathan's accident. However, for the second accusation, Haisley looked at the men in front of her with an unbelieving gaze. "W-what does this mean?" she asked in confusion. "Why is it a case of attempted murder and fraud?" She asked the two plainclothes policemen. But instead of answering Haisley's questions, the second policeman, who didn't bother to show his identification, took handcuffs from his pocket and put them on Nathan's hands, who didn't resist at all. Because both Haisley and Nathan knew that it would be futile. Nathan couldn't fight four men at once. And if he did, it would only complicate his situation when the punishment was imposed later. "You can call a lawyer to help with the mitigation of your sentence," the first policeman said, barely audible to Haisley. "We'll be waiting for you at the police station," he added, more directed at Haisley. Instead of respo
Dean held Haisley and tried to calm her while Gilbert stood in front of them, his attention focused on Nathan's phone. After a moment, he bent his knees and squatted in front of Haisley. "Haisley, calm down. Tell us everything," Gilbert requested gently. Haisley released herself from Dean's embrace, wiped her tears with force, and blew her nose with the tissue Gilbert handed her. She began to recount all the details, about four men who came claiming to be police officers, accusing Nathan, handcuffing him, and taking him away. "Attempted murder?" Gilbert asked, furrowing his brow. "Not premeditated murder?" he repeated, to which Haisley shook her head. "He said attempted murder," Haisley said confidently. "And fraud," she continued with a sniffle, tears flowing again. "Doesn't make sense," Gilbert said, glancing at Dean. "Loretta's fiancé is already dead. It's impossible for him to be accused of an 'attempt.' And what's with that woman accusing my brother of fraud?" Gilbert grumbl
Nathan winced, feeling the same pain in his neck. But it wasn't just that. He felt sore in several places and numbness. Both his upper arms throbbed. He tried to move, just stretching his stiff muscles, but he realized his body couldn't move. Nathan's consciousness gathered instantly. He tried to open his eyes but couldn't. He didn't know when they were closed or what covered them, but he couldn't release them because his hands were tied behind him, indicating that he was bound to the back of a chair. Nathan also tried to move his legs. Besides tingling, once again, he knew that his legs were tightly bound. "It seems like he's fully conscious now." A voice, a man's voice full of laughter, made Nathan stop moving. The voice clearly wasn't the same as the two men who kidnapped him. Nathan wasn't forgetful enough to forget their voices. "Who is that? Who's there?" he asked loudly, making the man laugh. "Even if I mention my name, you won't know who I am," the man said with a laughte
Loretta looked at Nathan with a furrowed brow. "Trapped you?" she asked disapprovingly. "Who trapped you, Nath? You're the one who walked right into the trap yourself," she scoffed. "Don't blame me if you're too cowardly to admit your mistakes, so you chose to get trapped with me," she said with an empty laugh. "But honestly, I'm also grateful that you fell into my trap. Because, truth be told, I was afraid you'd turn brave and choose to turn yourself into the police back then," she said with a shiver. "I can't imagine what would have happened if you chose to report yourself. We could both end up in jail, but of course, my punishment would be longer and even more terrifying than what you'd get," she replied, making Nathan furrow his brow. Nathan observed Loretta pacing in front of him, her expressions changing. "If only that wench Haisley didn't show up!" she cursed without looking at Nathan. "I think right now, you would still be Nathaniel Chayton, the coward," she said with a mock
"I thought I could make peace with you and break free from the annoying Thompson. But then, I found out who you really are. I started to get interested. And when I saw you in person, suddenly I became too passionate and wanted you for myself. "You're too handsome to be rejected, and your body is too enticing to let go. But your position as a businessman makes me more reluctant to release you. Because with you, I have a way to expand my network." "Then I got to know Gilbert. Despite having to admit that I didn't like him because I knew he didn't like me either. But I tried to restrain myself, attempting to win his heart by always acting sweet and innocent. "But he remained unfooled. While I needed him. Clearly, he was also very useful to me. Through him, I had more customers. You know, the students with all their difficulties, life pressures, and their desire to 'escape' for a while from their problems allowed me to establish my roots among them. "Both of you are the biggest money