No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 653



Immediately, she whipped out her phone and provided me with a bank account number. Without a second's hesitation, I wired $60,000. "I'll need a promissory note for that," I demanded, extending my hand.

They handed over the note, one of them quipping, "Didn't expect a rich lady like you to bail her out."

"I'm not just rich; I've got connections. Mess with her again, and you'll find yourselves too dead to spend that money," I warned them.

Sometimes, you've got to show your teeth. My words had the desired effect; their laughter died down. But as they were leaving, they couldn't resist a parting shot at Deborah, "With a sister like her, why would you need a payday loan?"

"Get lost!" I snapped.

They left, but Deborah was far from relieved. In fact, she was shaking all over.

"It's okay, they're gone," I said, pulling her into a hug.

That's when she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

I didn't try to stop her tears, understanding she had a lot bottled up inside.

Afterward, she took me into her rented shack. The sight of peeling wallpaper, a cramped bed, and leftover food piled on a rickety table hit me hard.

Deborah used to live so differently, not wealthy but comfortable, with a steady job and a carefree lifestyle.

And to think she ended up here because of some guy.

Holding her hand, I could feel the rough texture of her skin, etched with cuts and calluses from tough work. Though life had pushed her to the brink, she hadn't chosen an easy way out. That brought me some solace.

I took Deborah to a hotel for a

shower and

finally spoke, "It's the ClovCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

a change of cl

Once we were lying in bed,

"What?" I didn't catch her at first.

"They're all from Seabreeze City, part of the Clark family," she clarified, and I immediately thought of Lord Clark.

No wonder their money was tainted. Thinking Deborah was scared, I reassured her, "We'll stay away from them from now on."

But then she held my hand tighter, saying, "I remember, Allen Clark once pursued you, right?"

Had she been avoiding me, thinking I was in cahoots with the Clarks?

"No, I just know him. And even if he

did pursue me, I wouldn't

I didn't finish my senter

Deborah shook her head. Content

as

"Licia, keep your distance from them," she trembled, "They force girls into... into being with men."

I froze, understanding then what had driven Deborah to the edge wasn't the debt but the demand for her to sell herself.

It must have been why she fled here, to escape that fate.

"Licia, stay away from them. They're demons," she shivered again.

I comforted Deborah until she fell asleep, but sleep eluded me.

My parents' death was a knife handed by the Wagners, but it was the Clarks who wielded it. I hadn't forgotten, nor had I forgiven. I was biding my time, waiting for the

chance to bring down the Clone

family. I hadn't expected Deborah to be the one to bring that opportunity to light, almost at the cost of her own life.

As I watched her, frail and shivering in her sleep, my phone buzzed with a message.

I glanced at it; a message from Fanny Willis: [Girl, you've really done it now.]