Chapter 11
Janice casually picked up her phone and began dialing, not Malcolm, but-
“Hello? I’d like to order some spicy buffalo wings, extra spicy. Delivery to..”
Reina gawked in disbelief as Jander calmly ordered a delivery, completely ignoring the agreement they had just made. Fury surged through her.
“Janice, you’re messing with me!” Reina shouted
Ending the call, Janice smiled scornfully. “I agreed to it, but I never mentioned when I’d talk to him about withdrawing”
Reina’s entire body shook with anger, but she could do nothing against Janier.
Janice slept soundly that night and woke up refreshed, ready to start a new day. She reached for her phone, and the screen lit up with a message from
It was a single photo.
The image was of an intricately crafted diamond necklace, the teandrop–shaped pendant catching the sunlight in a dazzling display of brilliance. Anyone could tell it was worth a fortime
Janice recognized it at first glance. It was her mother’s keepsake
After her mother had passed away, the necklace had mysteriously vanished, Janice had searched tirelessly for it and had never expected to see it again, let alone in Reina’s possessions
Her expression turned ice–cold as she quickly typed back, “Where did you get the necklace?”
Reina’s reply came swiftly, her tone smug and unapologetic. “You wouldn’t want anything to happen to it, would you?”
“Cut the crap. What do you want? Janice shot back.
Reina didn’t bother to beat around the bush. “Simple Get Malcolm to pull his funding from the project within three days, or I’ll destroy the necklace.” Janice’s chest tightened with rage. Her grip on the phone was so tight that her knuckles turned white.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to remain composed and replied coldly, “Reina, you’d better hope that necklace is in perfect condition. If not, make you regret it.”
Reina responded with a laughing emoji, her words dripping with mockery. “Oh, Janice, you know what I’m capable of. Do as I say, or don’t blame me for being ruthless.
Janice didn’t bother replying. Tossing her phone aside, she closed her eyes and focused on calming herself down.
Reina had come prepared, but if Janice gave in now, it would only encourage her to push further,
She had to get the necklace back.
As night fell and city lights flickered to life, Janice was perched on her couch, dressed in an alluring outfit that accentuated her figure
When Malcolm walked into the room, she stepped toward him in her heels, the subtle scent of her perfume dritting through the air.
For a moment, Malcolm froze and stared at her.
The fragrance was faint yet familiar, stirring something within him, like a feather brushing against the edges of his heart. He quickly took a step back to
His expression was complicated as he demanded, “What do you want?”
She was the same as she’d always been. Every smile and every glance was a masterful trap that was impossible to resist. Yet, her harsh words now cut like a blade.
“One million dollars,” Janice said, holding up her phone and displaying a photo of the necklace. “Get Reins to hand over this necklace”
Malcolm’s expression darkened instantly. His fists clenched at his sides, and he asked through gritted teeth, “Janice, what do you take me for?”
His voice carried a restrained fury, as though he was on the verge of erupting
Janice, however, seemed entirely unfazed by his anger. “Mr. Gomez, I’m simply proposing a deal based on mutual consent. No hard feelings” She deliberately twisted his meaning, her tone carrying a hint of provocation
Malcolm sucked in a deep breath, struggling to keep his composure. He said with a sneer, “A deal? You think I’d stoop to this for a measly million dollars?
His
is fury was palpable. He couldn’t believe she would humiliate him as such!
Malcolm’s words snuffed out any hope Jantee might have had. Of course, a man like him wouldn’t degrade himself for something so trivial
Her lips twitched into a bitter smile as she forced a casual tone. “You’re right. It was foolish of me. But..”
She paused, and a glint of mischief flashed in her eyes. “What If I added something else to sweeten the deal?”
Malcolm frowned, skepticism clouding his gaze. “What are you offering?”
Janice took a steadying breath as though she’d made up her mind “Tll delete every photo of you I have”
Malcolm’s eyes narrowed as he studied her, searching for a crack in her calmi facade. But all he sew was her seriousnes
Janice added with determination, “I only want the necklace. Nothing else matters.”
Her voice wavered ever so slightly, betraying her vulnerability. Malcolm instantly caught the faint tremor in her words, which loosened the tight grot his rationality.
After a long pause, he finally asked, “Why?”
Why?
Janice let out a bitter laugh. If she had any other choice, she wouldn’t have stooped to begging him. But that wes her mother’s kepake the cond’s post stand by and let it stay in Reina’s hands.
Swallowing the knot of emotions rising in her throat, she feigned a nonchalant smile and answered, “No reason. I just realized it’s time to love the past behind.”
Malcolm didn’t buy her answer, but he didn’t press further. He gave her a long, searching look before turning toward the door
“Wait!”
Janice sounded frantic
He stopped and glanced back at her.
She bit her lip. Summoning all her courage, she approached him and rose on her tiptoes to kiss him.
The kiss was sudden, catching Malcolm off guard. For a moment, he froze, his mind blank. Then, he shoved her away and yelled angrily, “What the bell are you doing, Janice?”
Janice stumbled back and almost fell. After steadying herself, she lifted her head to meet Malcom’s gaze. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, yet her stubbornness refused to let them fall
