“Don’t you dare come near Cara!” Janet’s voice was filled with anger as she threatened Sebastian over the phone, but he only laughed in response.

“You’re a riot! That waitress wants to send your sweetheart behind bars, and you want to save her?” He said. “I believe you would be the one to send her to heaven even if she thinks about it!”

“Oh, shut up!” Janet rebuked. “I’m waiting for her testimony against you!”

“You know that if she testified against me, my family won’t let her see another sunlight. Still wanna try, babe?” His mood lightened as he bantered with Janet.

“Whatever! Let’s wait and see.” Janet’s nostrils flared in anger at Sebastian’s disregard as he chuckled. “Fuck off!” She ended the call.

Sebastian was laughing, throwing his head back on the recliner, when a man walked in. “The informer is here to see you, boss!”

“Send him in.” Sebastian’s face turned serious as the informer held Cara’s fate and their plan of action. He lit his cigarette while the informer in a black suit walked in and smiled politely. “What’s the news?”

“Cara Silencio refused to testify against you!”

“Why did she refuse? Was she threatened by anyone?” Sebastian knitted his eyebrows.

“She seems like a righteous woman! Although the chief urged her to testify against you, she refused and opted to testify against your two men, who shot the man and Officer Janet.”

“Interesting!” Sebastian smirked.

At the police station,

“Sorry, I’m late for the meeting!” Keith burst in through the door and took the vacant seat next to Janet.

“Keith, what’s your opinion about Sebastian Genovese staying behind? Do you have any information about this?” The chief inquired.

“Our resources are in action!” Keith answered. “Our secret informers will let us know if he plans something dangerous.” He added, and the next moment, his phone started ringing.

“It’s him!” He said, taking the call. “Okay! Take care of yourself.” Keith ended the call and looked up at everyone. “Sebastian is organizing a party!”

The chief slammed his hand on the desk. “He is definitely up to something. Alert the team!” He left the conference room with two officers following him.

Keith let out a sigh. The day had just begun, and he was already exhausted. Janet gave him a gentle nudge on the arm. “How was last night?” She asked cheekily.

“What are you talking about?” He rubbed his face.

Janet made a pouty face. “No lies! After the kiss at the party, I know something exciting must have happened at home!” She rubbed her hands, grinning at him, and Keith’s movement stopped. “Give me the details!”

“I kissed Natalie!” He snapped at Janet, confusing her.

“Natalie? I saw you kissing Cara in the pool!” Her words surprised Keith. “What are you talking about?”

“I kissed Cara?” He asked again, recalling the text he received from Natalie, and walked to the bar to end his night dead drunk. “Are you sure?”

Janet twitched her mouth. “You even declared her your girlfriend loud and clear to everyone!”

“What?” Keith widened his eyes. “Now it explains why Cara was distant since morning!” He thought.

“You don’t remember kissing her?” He heard Janet.

The hours ticked by while Cara stayed in bed, her mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions. She wanted to leave Keith’s place, but she didn’t have anywhere to go. She reached out to the bank to understand why her account was seized, and the response she received was Alfred Doyle.

“Of course it was him! No one else would take joy in her misery as he would.” Cara thought. “Why can’t they just leave me alone!!”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her lips trembled with sadness. Her heart grew heavier as Keith didn’t even bother to say sorry for his actions or try to initiate a conversation.

“Will you stop thinking about him? He doesn’t care about you!” With a deep breath, she reached for her new phone and clicked on her favourite playlist.

“Why would he give me a phone if he doesn’t care about me?” She wondered about it and carelessly tossed her phone on the other side of the bed.

Deciding to head out to clear her head, she took out a pair of blue jeans and a plain beige top. She quickly changed into her jeans and slipped out of her t-shirt, unhooking her black bra just as the door burst open.

“Cara, I need to...” Keith’s words died as he saw her hastily putting on her bra. She held her breath, and her heart pounded as she watched him peer in her direction.

“I’m… I am sorry!” Quickly shutting the door behind him, he let out an audible groan. “Fuck!”

A few minutes later, Cara walked out of her room and joined Keith in the living area. Keith glanced up to find her eyes staring at the floor. He breathed deeply. “Look, I’m very sorry for what happened last night! I didn’t intend to do it… I was drunk… and…” Before he could complete it, Cara snapped at him.

“I know you think of me as some lowlife, and you’re doing me favors so that you can take advantage of me. But I refuse to be your rebound to get over Natalie!” Her outburst left Keith stunned.

“Rebound?” Keith arched an eyebrow. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“I’ve perfectly decoded your plan now! You fired me from the club to ruin me financially. Then came to my place and scared my roommate, leading to me being kicked out. You politely threatened me in the hospital that if I refused to testify against Sebastian, you would take me into custody.” She glared at him.

“I can’t believe how stupid I am! You gave me two meals a day, a phone, and new shoes, and I thought you were a kind man! How can I forget you’re the one who fired my friend from the job?” She ranted, and Keith listened, his eyes spitting fire.

“And I must be the one who asked your dear friend’s boyfriend to molest you, huh?” With a sneer, he silenced Cara’s ranting. “Guess what? You don’t deserve any fucking kindness I showed from the first time we met up till now! You’re a bloody ungrateful bitch!” He raised his voice.

Milo growled in response to his shouting at Cara, and a long silence fell between them. “The trial is scheduled in three days. You will provide testimony against Sebastian Genovese and aid us in restraining him. Should you dare to challenge us, I’ll ensure that you endure a lifetime of suffering.”

Cara was going to contradict him, but his next word silenced her. “Three days and you’re out of this house and my life!” He snapped a finger. “I caused you to lose your job. I’ll get you the one, and we’ll be over and equal!” He walked to the main door, but stopped and looked back at her.

“And the kiss was a mistake! I won’t even regard someone of your cheap class who unbuttons her shirt to seduce men at the club!” He grimaced and slammed the door shut.

Cara sank onto the couch. “I’m not cheap! I’m not ungrateful!” She muttered. “You brought those gifts. I didn’t ask you to purchase for me.”

“Providing you with three meals a day is the best I can do for being allowed to stay in the house. How else do you expect a jobless bitch to pay for your kindness?” Her heart burned as she cried helplessly.

New Orleans,

The Grayson Group of Hotels inaugurated its new hotel in New Orleans with a grand celebration. The guest list for the party included big celebrities and political personalities.

Aries straightened his tie and buttoned up his blue blazer in the presidential suite, studying himself in the mirror. Running his fingers through his spiky hair, he gave himself one last look before leaving the suite.

As the elevator doors opened, cheers erupted when Aries walked into the party, his ever-charming smile on full display. He was in the middle of greeting his guests with a handshake when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

Upon turning, he found himself face-to-face with Ace Grayson, his father, who had always been the ultimate source of compassion and inspiration in his life, and he was left speechless.

“Dad!” His dad hugged Aries warmly and caressed his back. “What a pleasant surprise!” Aries smiled.

“Let me take a good look at you!” His father held his shoulder and stared at him proudly. “I missed you!”

“I see no one has time to greet his old grandmother!” Aries’s grandmother, Clara Grayson, appeared next to his father, and Aries greeted her.

“How could anyone ignore the ever-gorgeous Clara Grayson?” He kissed the back of her hand. “I didn’t expect you guys here!”

“We couldn’t possibly miss such an important day of your life.” His father said, and they held each other’s gaze before Aries turned and introduced him to the influential personalities.

Keith arrived at Desire Nightclub and ordered a drink. Cara’s sudden outburst and allegations seemed to upset him. “What does she think of herself?”

The moment Lydia, a waitress who used to work with Cara, brought over Keith's drink, he seemed to notice her presence. “Your drink, sir,”

“Is it always necessary to dress up outrageously to lure men?” He spat, agitated, and Lydia glanced at her clothes. Her mini skirt barely covered her butt, while her white shirt had two open buttons that exposed her cleavage. “What’s wrong with dressing professionally?”

“The manager has sternly asked us to appear seductive. He believes it will appeal more to men.” She answered. “Otherwise, who in their right sense would want leeches preying on them?” Keith was at a loss for words. “Anything else I can help you with?”

“Button up!” He took a sip of his drink while Lydia appeared conflicted.

“But the manager...” she tried to say, but Keith cut her off.

“I’m the new owner. I call the shots!” He gritted his teeth. Lydia hastily buttoned her shirt while Keith continued. “You don’t need to be an enchanting seductress to serve drinks to the guests.”

“Thanks!” With a genuine smile, Lydia left. Realization hit Keith. His hurtful words to Cara were unfounded. She did as she was told. “I must apologize to her!”

Ace and Aries toasted in his suite after the grand opening of Grayson Group of Hotels in New Orleans. “Cheers to the new beginning!” Ace spoke proudly, Aries nodded, and sipped.

“So, why are you here?” Aries eyed his father suspiciously. “The doctor advised you to rest! Your health is more important than the opening ceremony.”

“The reason is, I’m worried about you!” His father said.

“Me?” Aries raised an eyebrow, taking another sip.

“What are you doing to yourself?” His father questioned. “Why are you working your ass off?” He shook his head. “For three years, to my knowledge, you haven’t taken a break from work!”

Aries smiled. “I love my work!”

“You badly need a break!” Ace suggested. “Go on a holiday. Meet old friends. Enjoy life!”

“I’m enjoying life, Dad! I enjoy making money.” Aries smiled enchantingly, but his father remained unconvinced.

“Why don’t you settle down?” His question elicited a chuckle from Aries.

“Now, where does that come from?”

“I’m serious, Aries! Why don’t you find a girl and settle your ass down?” His father appeared serious.

“Oh, come on, Dad!” He topped off his glass with more whiskey, sitting comfortably. “Are you here for this? Grandma is enough to pester me all the time!” He sighed. “Let’s skip this conversation for now.”

“When? Give me the date, time, and location.” His father retorted. “Because the business magnet, Aries Grayson, is always busy. Upon concluding affairs here, you’ll depart for Mexico, and only Jesus knows when you’ll return!”

“When would be an appropriate time to discuss it? Is your mother the reason for your fear?” He caught his father’s words and cast a fleeting look at him.

“I would say I have trust issues!” Aries corrected him.

“Just forgive and forget her!” Aries’s nostrils flared up at his father’s suggestion. “Why are you allowing her to impact your present?”

“Dad, I’m exhausted! I need to sleep now. Let me drop you off at your room.” He rose from the couch.

“Just promise me you’ll think about starting a family,” Aries couldn’t ignore his father’s old hopeful eyes.

“I promise!” He said in a heartbeat.

“You’ll meet Isla Glazier right after coming back home?” As Aries pushed him out, his father quickly added his final words.

“I promise….” He said, defeated. “Wait… what?” His eyes shot up, and his father’s smile widened as he turned to face him.

“You just promised, munchkin!” He gave him a loving peck on the cheek before turning around and walking out, closing the door behind him.

The three days passed in a blur. Keith endeavored to apologize to Cara, but the latter didn’t grant any opening. Although she diligently cooked three meals for Keith every day, he never took a bite, prompting Cara to tearfully throw the food away each time.

Eventually, the day of the trial arrived. Cara found herself in a quandary. She didn’t want to testify against Sebastian, but she was sure Keith would make her life hell, or worse, throw her behind bars on fake charges if she dared go against him.

“Oh, gracious Jesus, I beg for your support!” She prayed in her heart when the car stopped outside the court.

“Let’s go!” As he opened the door for her, he caught a glimpse of her old, tattered shoes, and his jaw tightened.

“Maybe you’re not cheap, but you’re arrogant and ungrateful!” He thought bitterly. “Don’t act smart inside! You are released as soon as you finish the task.” He said, holding her hand.

From a distance, the sharpshooter observed Cara’s every move as she stepped out of the car. “Kill her if she dares to go against my son!” a member of the Genovese family gave an instruction on the call.