Chapter
find our?”
There was a pause before his voice came again, colder this time. “I’m not here to play games. Open the door.
Janice ignored him, hoping he’d go away, but the sound of a key turning in the lock sent her scrambling to her feet.
The door swung open, and Malcolm stepped inside, shutting it firmly behind him.
“What the hell do you want?” she demanded, crossing her arms.
Malcolm didn’t answer immediately. His dark eyes bore into her, filled with a storm of suppressed emotions. Finally, he stepped closer, his voice low and cutting
“What did you mean by what you said at the bar? Which man did you throw away for Reina?”
Janice’s lips curved into a mocking smile. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling insecure? Afraid it might be you?”
The words were barely out of her mouth when Malcolm closed the distance, his anger erupting His lips crashed against hers in a punishing kiss, his hands gripping her arms to keep her from pulling away.
Janice froze, her mind reeling. The kiss was fierce, laced with anger and frustration, but underneath it lay something raw and unspoken.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was hoarse. “Janice, don’t forget–if anyone is done here, it’s me with you.”
Her gaze hardened, any vulnerability she’d felt from the kiss evaporating. She shoved him away, her tone icy. “Have you had enough of your tantrum?“”
Malcolm’s eyes narrowed, his anger simmering again. “What game are you playing now?”
Janice didn’t bother answering. Instead, she grabbed his phone from the table and, without hesitation, dialed Reina’s number.
The ringing filled the silence between them.
Malcolm’s face darkened, his expression livid as he snatched the phone from her hand and slammed it against the floor, shattering it.
“Are you insane?” he growled, his voice sharp with disbelief.
Janice’s smirk returned, unbothered by his rage. “What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll ruin your prince charming act and make you look bad in front of her?”
Malcolm’s fists clenched at his sides, his frustration palpable. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper as he stared at her. “Stay out of Reina’s business.
Janice raised an eyebrow, her smile turning colder. “Protective, aren’t you? It must be exhausting, keeping up that facade.”
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Chapter 7
Malcolm’s expression darkened. His jaw clenched tightly as the veins on his temple throbbed. He grabbed Janice’s wrist with such force it felt like he was trying tornish it.
“Janice, don’t push me too far!
“Push you too far?” Janice let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Malcolm, who’s really crossing the line here? You cozy up to Reina and then come crawling into my bed like nothing’s wrong…
Before she could finish, Malcolm slammed a hand over her mouth, his expression a storm of fury.
“Shut up!” he growled, his volor low and menacing “One more word, and 1
“What?” Janice interrupted, her gare cold and defiant. “You’ll hit me again? Or maybe you’ll strangle me this time and finish the job?”
Her words struck a nerve. Malcolm’s grip faltered, and a flash of something–pillt, regret, or perhaps anger–crossed his face. He abruptly released her
and took a step back as though trying to distance himself from the mess that was their shared history.
“What do you want from me, Janice?” he asked. His tone was biting, each word laced with frustration.
“What do I want?” Janice repeated, her voice calm but cutting. Rising from the couch, she moved toward him. Her steps were slow and deliberate, each
tightening the invisible noose around his composure.
She was still wearing his shirt, its loose collar revealing the curve of her collarbone and a tantalizing glimpse of pale skin. She looked like both templation and destruction wrapped in one lethal package.
Malcolm’s back hit the cold wall, leaving him nowhere to retreat.
Janice closed the space between them, her fingers hooking onto his the. With a gentle tug, she forced him to lower his head, their faces inches apart.
“What I want,” she whispered, her breath brushing against his ear, “is to end this relationship–when I decide to, not you. If you want me to beharre
you’re all mine for the next week.”
Her words lit a spark in Malcolm, and it quickly became a raging inferno. He seized her waist, flipping the dynamic, and kissed her with a punishing
ferocity
Janice gasped softly but didn’t pull away. Instead, she met his intensity with her own, matching his fire with flame. She wanted to see him lose control, to break the mask of calm indifference he wore so tightly.
This wasn’t just passion–it was her first step in bringing him to his lonwees. And through him, she would exact her revenge on Reina
The next morning, the peaceful routine of Janice’s alternative medicine clinic was shattered when an angry woman stormed in, slamming her hand on the counter so hard that the jars of herbs rattled.
“Where’s the person in charge?” the woman demanded, her face flushed with anger. “I want to speak to whoever’s in charge here!”
Janice stepped out from the back, her brow furrowing slightly. “That would be me. How can I help you?“!
y son!
“You’re the one in charge? Perfect!” The woman grabbed Janice’s arm, her long nails digging painfully into her skin. “You quacks nearly killed my He’s in the ICU because of you!”
“Please calm down, ma’an, and explain what happened,” Janice said evenly, despite the pdin.
“Calm down?” the woman shrieked. “My son is fighting for his life because of the poison you call medicine! I’m going to see you!
Janice’s gaze hardened as she pulled her arm free. “If you’re accusing me of something this serious, you’d better have evidence,” she said coldly. “Every treatment here follows strict protocols. If you’re lying, don’t blame me for suing you for defamation”
The women faltered under Janice’s sharp gaze but quickly recovered. Pulling a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket, she slapped it on the counter. “ This is the prescription you gave him! Here’s your proof!”
Janice picked up the paper and scanned it, her lips curving Into a disdainful smile. The handwriting was sloppy, and the ingredients were haphazardly. listed–aclear forgery.
“This isn’t mine,” Janice declared, slamming the paper back on the counter. “Every prescription I write is signed and stamped with my clinic’s logo Check it yourself–does this have either?”
The woman besitated, her eyes darting to the paper. When she realized that Janice was right, panic flickered across her face.
“Well, sh..” she stammered, her bravado fading
“Speak up,” Janice pressed, her voice sharp. “Who sent you? Why are you here trying to sabotage my clinic?”
”
their attention. Two uniformed officers pushed their way through the crowd that had
Before the woman could answer, a commotion outside drew th gathered around the scene
“Who called the police?” one of them asked.
The woman jumped at the chance, pointing a shaking finger at Janice. “She’s the one! Her medicine almost killed my son!”
One officer approached Janice, pulling out his badge. “We’ve received a report about illegal medical practices. Please come with us for questioning,”
Janice’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Of course. I have nothing to hide.”
At the police station, the truth unraveled quickly. Under questioning, the woman confessed that she’d been paid to stir up trouble at Janice’s clinic. The forged prescription was her attempt to frame Janice and extort money.
Exonerated, Janice walked out of the station with her head held high. But even as the midday sun warmed her skin, it couldn’t chase away the chill settling in her heart.
This wasn’t just a random incident–it had been calculated.
And the first suspects that came to mind were Reina and Lizzy. Other than those two, she couldn’t think of anyone else who would go to such lengths to cause her trouble and try to ruin her.
The setup had been simple, yet the execution left no trace–at least, nothing the police could uncover during their investigation.
Janice’s eyes narrowed as cold determination flickered within them. Whoever was behind this had underestimated her. This was far from over.
