Stanley couldn''t focus on the documents anymore. He stood up and walked toward the master bedroom.


    The room was empty-no sign of Wendy.


    Seeing the bathroom door was closed, Stanley stood at the threshold, his voice low as he called out, "Wendy, are you almost done?"


    There was no response.


    No sound came from inside.


    Stanley raised his hand, about to knock, but before he could the bathroom door opened on its own.


    He paused, then walked in. Therge bathtub was empty. Wendy was nowhere to be found.


    Where did she go?


    Stanley stepped out, and just then, a maid entered the room "Mr. Hawk, Mrs. Hawk has already left."


    She left? Just like that?


    Stanley nced at the untouched ice pack. "She didn''t use it?"


    "No, Mrs. Hawk said she didn''t need it."


    On the nightstand, there was a note. Stanley extended his long fingers and picked


    it up. The note was simple.


    [Thank you.]


    She left without telling him and just left that little note behind for him.


    Stanley stood with his hands on his hips, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips.


    After the maid withdrew herself, Stanley was left alone in the vast bedroom. Hezily leaned against the desk and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He took one and ced it between his lips.


    His broad shoulders slouched slightly as he lowered his gaze, flicking the lighter with a sharp click before the me ignited the cigarette.


    He took a deep drag and exhaled slowly. The smoke swirled around his face, blurring his sharp features. He didn''t smoke much, but today, with the frustration building up, he needed the nicotine to numb his mind.


    Not long after, Zayn appeared at the door. "Mr. Hawk, Ms. Jessica has left. About Mr. Andrews..."


    Stanley knocked the ash from his cigarette and, just then, noticed the small bite marks on his arm.


    It was from Wendy.


    Furrowing his brows, Stanley spoke, his voice cold and deliberate, "If Frank calls again, just tell him one thing..."


    At the Crone family''s vi, Jessica stepped into the living room. Frank and Urs immediately stood up to meet her.


    "Ms. Crone, where''s our son? Mr. Hawk agreed to let him go, right?".


    Harry and Lilian looked toward the door, expecting to see Paul with Jessica. When they didn''t, they froze.


    "Jessica, didn''t Mr. Hawke back with you?"


    Jessica nced at their eager faces, feeling her mood darken. "Mr. Andrews, Mrs. Andrews, I''m sorry, but Stanley refused to release him."


    What?


    Frank, Urs, Harry, and Lilian froze in disbelief.


    Frank''s voice turned sharp. "What''s going on? Ms, Crone, aren''t you Mr. Hawk''s favorite?"


    Urs''s face fell with disappointment. "Dear, we''ve made a mistake. She''s obviously not Mr. Hawk''s favorite. Her words don''t matter to him at all. She''s a liar!"


    Frank, now furious, barked, "Ms. Crone, you''ve wasted our time!"


    Without another word, Frank and Urs turned to leave.


    Harry and Lilian hurried to stop them. "Mr. and Mrs. Andrews..."


    Frank and Urs suddenly stopped in their tracks before ordering their


    bodyguards, “Take everything we brought with us."


    At theirmand, the bodyguards immediately started removing the piles of luxury gifts from the living room.


    Ir. Andrews! Mrs. Andrews!" Harry jumped up in panic. "Jessica, what happened?"


    n, equally shocked, couldn''t understand. "Jessica, you talked to Mr. Hawk, and he still didn''t release Paul?"


    The pride Jessica had once felt now turned to humiliation. She dug her nails into her palm in frustration.


    Wendy! The game between us had just begun!


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