billion book
Revenge 123
Revenge 123
Anderson smirked. “Halley, didn’t you hear me?”
Hailey remained composed and responded softly, “Sorry, Mr. Anderson, I can’t drink alcohol.”
John, not willing to let it go, chimed in, “That’s easy. Just drink some juice next to me, and we can talk about everything else afterward.”
Hailey glanced at Anderson for help, but he remained indifferent. He lazily lit a cigarette, showing no intention of intervening.
Soon, the waiter brought freshly squeezed orange juice. John poured a glass, and the others at the table shifted to make room for Hailey.
Hailey knew how significant the Candor City real estate project was. She was the project leader and understood its high stakes better than anyone.
Anderson, a born opportunist, showed no concern for her plight.
Resigned, Hailey clenched her fists. Under the watchful eyes of the others, she sat next to John.
His hand quickly found its way to her thigh. “What perfume are you wearing, my dear Hailey? It smells wonderful.”
Hailey looked desperately at Anderson for help, but he simply sipped his drink,
ignoring her. Just then, his phone rang. Anderson stepped out of the private room to take the call.
With the cigarette in hand, Anderson gazed at the bustling street below. “What’s the matter?”
Julia hesitated before speaking, “Mr. Anderson, Ms. Sandler brought some trash into your garage. Should I clean it out?”
“Trash?” Anderson’s eyes darkened. “Leave it. Let her do what she wants. And make sure she has a warm meal tonight. Mayra shouldn’t eat cold food.”
Julia replied, “Yes, sir. I understand.”
Julia, who had watched Anderson grow up, couldn’t believe he was so protective of an orphan. She feared he might repeat Howard’s mistakes.
Years ago, Howard fell in love with a woman from a nightclub. He went so far as to abandon his family and sever ties with them to be with her. This ultimately led to
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George dying from rage.
No, she couldn’t let Anderson go down the same path. Mayra couldn’t stay by his side.
Hailey started to drink the juice, but she was then forced to drink alcohol. Unable to bear it, she fled to the bathroom to vomit.
Anderson’s voice from the hallway carried a tone she hadn’t heard from him in all their years together.
Hailey was adopted at four and first met Anderson at ten. At a party, she was bullied and nearly drowned. It was Anderson who had pulled her from the water.
She could never forget the way Anderson had looked at her back then. It made her feel secure.
“You okay?” Nine–year–old Anderson had asked, offering his hand.
“I want my mom,” Hailey sobbed out the words.
“Get up. I’ll take you to her,” he said, extending his hand to her.
That was the first time Hailey held his hand. Then, the scene shifted to a cold–eyed Anderson watching her get hit with stones.
“Andy, help me, it hurts! Andy… please help me!”
“Your mother ruined my family. She deserves to die, and so do you,” Anderson said coldly.
Hailey came back to her senses. The hair near her forehead covered the scars from the stones thrown at her long ago. Even now, they hadn’t faded.
Hailey staggered back to the private room and almost fell when a hand caught her waist. She looked up to see Anderson’s deep, cold eyes.
“How does it feel to accompany men?” he taunted.
“Beg me and I’ll bring you away, hmm?”