+25 BORUS


    Jessica arrived.


    Stanley froze instantly.


    The haze of desire that had clouded his judgment earlier seemed to evaporate at that moment. He quickly averted his eyes, a wave of shame washing over him.


    What was he doing? He''d been on the verge of crossing a line with Wendy,


    Wendy, feeling the sudden loosening of his grip, found herself freed.


    "Stay here. Don''t go out," Stanley said, his voice taut.


    He turned and stormed off, likely to look for Jessica.


    Just moments ago, he had been consumed by lust, but now, with the mention of Jessica''s name, he pulled away from her without a second thought. It was as if Wendy no longer mattered.


    Wendy''s face, which had been flushed with embarrassment, slowly regained its natural color. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. How ironic-she, the legitimate wife, felt like the mistress, as though she were having an affair with Stanley while Jessica was the real wife.


    What would he do with Jessica now? No doubt, he''d be finishing what he couldn''t with her.


    Wendy bent down to pick up her phone, which had shattered into pieces on the carpet. She carefully pieced it back together.


    Soon, the phone rang. It was Lilian calling.


    Wendy answered the call.


    Lilian''s voice bubbled with amusement on the other end. "Wendy, I''m sure Jessica went to see Stanley, didn''t she?


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    Wendy''s eyes remained cold as she didn''t respond.


    Lilian seemed to be in a good mood. "I bet you were with Stanley, but once Jessica showed up, he probably abandoned you. By the way, remember when Stanley brought Jessica to Saville Vi? She slept in his master bedroom, on his bed."


    Wendy ended the call abruptly. She turned her gaze toward the bed in the bedroom.


    His bed. Just days ago, Jessica had slept there.


    At the Crone family vi, Lilian hung up the phone with a smile.


    Hank, his teeth clenched, spoke up. "Aunt Lilian, Wendy caused all of this trouble. Are we really just going to let her off the hook?"


    Lilian''s eyes gleamed with a mysterious light. "Considering the timing, Wendy''s foster father from the countryside should be out of prison by now."


    Hank''s anger faded, reced by a smile. "George Bard, right? He just got out a couple of days ago."


    Lilian''s smile deepened. "Now Wendy''s all grown up and married to Stanley, the wealthiest man in Hovendale- she''s living the high life and is favored by Mom. Let''s bring her foster father over. He should be enjoying the


    +25 BOHUS


    benefits of his daughter''s sess now."


    Hank gave an approving nod. "Aunt Lilian, I''ll handle it."


    He paused, then added, "Wendy is truly heartless. She blinded George in one eye and sent him to prison."


    Lilian chuckled softly. "Wendy, you think the show''s over? No, this is just the beginning. I wonder how the Hawk family will react to your dark past."


    Stanley entered the study, expecting to see Jessica.


    Since Stanley had brought Jessica home a few days ago, and she was the first woman he had ever brought back, the house staff let her in without hesitation.


    But when Stanley entered the study, he didn''t see her.


    Where had she gone?


    Suddenly, two small hands covered his eyes. A yful voice chirped, "I have a surprise for you!"


    Stanley reached up to remove the hands from his eyes, turning to find Jessica''s radiant face filling his vision.


    He sank into the couch. "What is it?"


    Jessica shed him a seductive look, then slowly lifted her delicate hand to slip off her coat. The garment fell effortlessly from her smooth shoulders,nding softly on the carpet. Now, she stood before him wearing only a strapless mini dress.