Stanley was clearly aroused. The corners of his narrow eyes had reddened with the heat of desire. Listening to Wendy''s words, he froze and stared at her.


    Wendy casually gestured toward the door. "Mr. Hawk, now you''ll have to work your magic and get Luna back."


    Stanley, ever sharp, immediately understood. Wendy wasn genuinely trying to seduce him-she was putting on a show for Luna.


    The desire in his eyes instantly faded, reced by a cold rity. He fixed Wendy with a frosty gaze. "Get off me, now."


    Wendy didn''t waste any time and immediatelyplied.


    Stanley stood, his tall, lean figure casting a long shadow by the floor-to-ceiling windows. This damned woman! "Spit it out. What do you want from me?"


    Wendy took a steadying breath. "Mr. Hawk, Cecelia didn''t cut Luna''s wires. She''s been framed. I hope you''ll show mercy and let her go."


    Cecelia? Her best friend?


    Stanley hadn''t been paying attention to Luna''s fall or any of the drama


    surrounding it, so he didn''t know it was tied to Cecelia.


    Zayn had called him about the incident, but he had left the matter to Luna.


    So Wendy hade here for her friend.


    Stanley turned, a cold smirk curling at his lips. "Are you asking me for a favor?"


    Wendy flinched, her heart heavy. She had to swallow her pride for Cecelia. "Yes, I am."


    "Then you need to show some sincerity. Have you thought about what you''re willing to offer in exchange?"


    His blunt words made Wendy stiffen.


    Stanley''s gaze roamed over her graceful figure, taking in every inch. His tone shifted to one of yful amusement. "You haven''t even thought about it, huh? Come back when you''ve figured out what you''re willing to offer."


    Without waiting for a response, he turned to leave.


    But Wendy reached out, grabbing the sleeve of his shirt. "Wait."


    Stanley paused, turning back toward her. "Wendy, I''m no charity. Why should I go easy on your friend? Honestly, there''s nothing about you I particrly want, except..."


    His gaze lingered on her body. "Except for this."


    That night at the hospital, she had refused him."


    Now, he wanted to see if she''d give in.


    Wendy curled her fingers into a fist. She didn''t understand him. She had already been with him once, but he had found her too dull, too uninteresting. After that, he hadn''t wanted anything more.


    So why was he making these demands now?


    Did he want her again?


    "Mr. Hawk, aren''t you worried about what Jessica and Luna might find out?" Stanley''s expression remained unreadable. "This is our secret, just between us. Isn''t that what you said before? I help you, and you repay me. You set the terms of this game


    Wendy had no response to that. Slowly, she released her grip on his sleeve. "Think it over. When you''ve made up your mind,e finde."


    With that, Stanley walked out.


    After leaving Stanley without any progress, Wendy headed straight to the police station to visit Cecelía.


    However, Leonard stopped her before she could enter. "Ms. Crone, we can''t see Ms. Sunder right now."


    Wendy froze. "Why not?"


    Leonard''s face was grim. "Mr. Hawk has ordered that no one is allowed to visit her anymore."


    What?


    Stanley was being ruthless. He was forcing her into a corner!


    Cecelia was locked away, and Wendy had no idea how she was doing.


    Wendy''s pale eyes welled up with unshed tears. She didn''t want to make that kind of deal with Stanley, but his relentless pressure left her with no other choice.


    "Ms. Crone, what should we do now?" Leonard asked.


    At that moment, Wendy thought of someone-Nathan.