Chapter 12
Janice took a deep breath, forcing back the tears threatening to spill, and defiantly tilted her chin up. A self–deprecating smile tugged at her lips.
Malcolm scowled, his lips pressing into a firm, thin line.
Yet Janice appeared entirely oblivious to his simmering anger. Instead, she walked up to him again, her every step ramping up the tension in Malcolm’s
chest.
When she was close enough, she rose slightly on tiptoe. Her warm breath brushed against his ear, her lips nearly grazing his earlobe. “If you’re not willing to help, then let’s do something more fitting for adults, shall we?”
Her voice was light, but it made Malcolm’s head buzz.
Without warning, he seized her wrist in a firm grip and pushed her away. He lashed out furiously, “Janice, what are you trying to do?”
The force of his action sent Janico staggering back a few steps. Though her wrist throbbed from his grip, she seemed unfazed.
Her gaze locked on him with a mix of defiance, provocation, and an almost imperceptible anticipation that she wasn’t even aware
ti of
“I want you,” she drawled while her eyes glinted with mischief and seduction –
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, and Janice stirred awake. Faint traces of last night’s passion marked her skin.
After a quick freshening up, she deliberately chose a slightly low–cut dress so that the marks were visible before heading to the Ludwig residence
The sprawling villa exuded ostentatious wealth.
Standing at the entrance, Janice’s eyes flickered with disdain, though she quickly masloed it. She rang the doorbell, and the maid opened the door
The stunned look on her face caused Janice to smirk.
“What’s wrong? Don’t recognize me anymore?
Flustered, the maid paled under her pointed tone but dared not respond. She stepped aside and muttered, “Ms. Janice, please come in.!!
With a cold snort, Janice strode in confidently and went straight for Reina’s room. Along the way, every maid she passed avoided her gaze, retreating hastily as it bearing her wrath
With a resounding hang, Janice kicked Reina’s door open
Reina had just woken up. She was draped in a silk robe, her disheveled hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her bleary eyes widened in shock at the sudden intrusion.
She quickly spotted the faint, suggestive marks on Janice’s exposed skin, and her face fell
Over the past few nights, she had failed to reach Malcolm, and now a bitter suspicion gnawed at her. It seemed Janice had seduced him again.
“You’ve got some nerve showing up here! Where were
e you last night, fooling around?” Reina’s voice rose, shrill with unbridled spite.
Tguring her fury, Janice strolled into the room and settled on the couch. She crossed her legs elegantly and glanced at Reina with a sardonic smile.
“I’m here to take back what belongs to me.”
Reina let out a decisive laugh. “What in this house could possibly belong to you?
“The necklace, Hand it over.”
“The necklace? You’ve got some nerve. You haven’t fulfilled your end of the deal. Why should I give it to you?” Reina refuted and lifted her chin haughty.
Janice’s chuckle was icy as she rose from the couch, stepping closer to Reina Towering over her, Janice’s eyes gleamed with menace.
“Reina, you should know by now I’m not asking. It’s an order.
Beina taltered under her unyielding presence and instinctively stepped back until she bumped into her vanity table, nearly losing her balance.
Just then, a sharp slap echoed through the mom.
Turing her head, Janice met Garrett’s furious glare. His face was livid as he roared, “You insolent brat! Where’s your respect for your father?”
Garrett was already irritable when he was awakened early by the commotion upstairs, and the sight of Janice seemingly bullying Reina had fueled his
A vivid handprint marred Janice’s pale cheek, and blood seeped from the comer of her mouth. Yet she remained unmoved, meeting Garrett’s rage with ky detachment
rthy of that title?”
“Father?” She sneered contemptuously. “You think you’re worthy
Garrett’s chest herved. Pointing a trembling finger at her, he sputtered, “You, you”
“What about me?” Janice countered unflinchingly, “I’m here for what’s mine. How does that make me insolent? Reina steals and flaunts it. Is that your idea of a well–bred daughter?”
“That’s alie! I didn’t steal anything!” Reina cried and hurriedly hid behind Garrett,
“Taking something without permission is stealing!”
Janice’s gaze shifted back to Garrett, and she continued calmly, “I’m not leaving without that necklace.”
“This is outrageous!” Garrett yelled, spittle flying as he jabbed a finger at her. “Look at you! A disgrace! How did I ever raise a daughter like you?!”
Janice’s heart clenched painfully, and her face paled.
A disgrace, Unrefined Ill–mannered. These were the labels Garrett had slapped on her so many times that she should have grown numb to them by now. Closing her eyes, Janice took a deep breath, reigning in her emotions once more.
