CHAPTER HUNDRED-FORTY-NINE *Amber Harvard-Backdrop2*She swallowed thickly and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes glazing with punished tears.Her father looked surprised to see her there. His jaw tightened as he moved closer to the door.He tugged it open a little and forced a tight-lipped smile on his shaken daughter."Hey Honey, what are you doing out here at a time like this? You should be in bed." He said in a low voice.Amber bit her bottom lip nervously."I couldn't sleep," she said faintly. Her voice was a little shaky.Her father puffed out a deep breath. He stepped out of the room gently and quietly locked the room behind him."I'm sorry about that. Come, let me take you back to your room." Her father forced a smile and tugged her away to her bedroom.But Amber hesitated as she paused to gaze at the bedroom door of her parents."What is it, Honey? Let's go." Her father pressed.Her amber eyes glowed with genuine concern."I heard a scream. I heard Mum scream. Ho

CHAPTER HUNDRED-FIFTY-ONE *Amber Harvard -Backdrop4*"Come back to your senses, sweetheart. Why would a mother despise a child that she birthed to life? It is inconceivable! " Khole said breathlessly, tears streaming down her flushed face. She quickly took Amber's hands in hers. Surprisingly enough, Amber didn't protest. It was as though, the power of her mother's love is bending her will to conform to that of her mother. Like a magnet attacking her towards her mother.Her eyes glinted with emotion she didn't know existed for her mother. She thought she had banished every emotion left towards her mother.Now, why the heck is she being moved by her mother's touch? The woman she had grown to loathe? The woman that abandoned her?"Listen, Amber, I love you so so much that it hurts so badly seeing you like this. I'm genuinely concerned about leaving you under the care of your father. Don't listen to him, he will only poison your mind. You have got to trust me, Amber. Please." She spoke

*Amber Harvard-Backdrop6*"I am not sure I can trust you, mother, after everything you have done. ", she said as she shook her head frantically."I will never forget how terrified I was to be just around my own mother! How insane and mind-boggling does that sound to you!" Amber hissed.Khole sighed deeply, sagging her shoulders."Amber...""Stop mother! No more lies. I am sick of your lies!" she howled, the veins in her head popping out."My goodness! Your father sure took an iron hold of you more than I expected," she said dolefully as she shook her head in despair."I thought I stand a chance to sway your heart even just a little bit but sadly I have been gravely mistaken." Khole stared at her own daughter in shock, grief, and despair."But I won't give up on you. No matter how far your father intends to push me away. Distance only makes the heart grow fonder. I will always love you, Amber Harvard. Regardless of whatever atrocities your father may have committed. Don't ever forget

CHAPTER HUNDRED-FIFTY-FIVE*It can't be!*The eerie silence was so mind-boggling and deafening that her stomach swooped as she waited for the person on the other side of the door to respond.Her breath hitched in her throat.This is long overdue! What gives?She bit her bottom lip angrily.She gulped as she heard the intruder edging closer to the door. Anticipation climbed up my spine at the danger swirling in the air."Who are you? State your identity or I call on the cops! This is privacy intervention and I can sue you know !" she squealed in mild panic. Damn it! She has never been this rattled like this!If her father caught her lacking like this, he would be so mad at her.She gathered herself and straightened her shoulders, puffing out a deep breath."Just open the damn door, Amber. I'm sure as hell you can't call the cops either." The voice dripped with poisonous honey, making her blood boil with fury and rage as the voice registered in her head.It can't be!"Who the heck a

CHAPTER HUNDRED-FIFTY-SEVEN*You are not leaving!*"What?!" Amber squealed in utter shock and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.Did she hear that right or she's tripping?Hand her over? Could she be talking about Hannah Spikes? But how the hell did she know that Hannah will be here?Except, of course, she had trailed her here. But Hannah swore that Janice believed her cock and bull story of having a family appointment due.What gives? How could she tell that something was off?Clearly, she had underestimated Janice Jordan. This girl is capable of far more than she had initially expected.Damn it! No one should have known about this.If word got out that the big trio had captured a Brighton college student and held her hostage, things will be rough.She would have to handle this before it escalates and involve her father.Her mouth flattened into a tight line."I have the foggiest idea of what you are talking about," Amber said, feigning ignorance.Janice arched an eyebrow at