Stanley took hold of Wendy''s hand. "Let''s go."


    He started leading her out, but Wendy quickly pulled her hand free from his grasp. "You should go. I''m doing fine here, I n to stay for a few days."


    Stanley looked at her, confused. "Stay here? You''re not even rted to Mr. Larson! Why do you want to stay at his house?"


    He had already noticed that Horace treated Wendy differently. For instance, no one else was allowed in Horace''s study, but Wendy had somehow managed to be in there. Horace seemned unusually lenient toward her.


    Wendy smiled faintly. "He''s a good person. You don''t have to doubt his character."


    "Good person? I think you''re being a little biased!"


    Wendy didn''t know why she felt so warmly toward Horace it was like a closeness born from family ties, something instinctive.


    "I''m here to save Be and Mrs. Ang.''


    "How do you n to do that?"


    "Jessica is under house arrest. I''m sure she won''tst long without slipping up.”


    Stanley frowned. "Why are you acting on your own? You didn''t even tell me you wereing here."


    Wendy''s clear eyes fixed on Stanley''s handsome face. "Since you and Jessica are engaged, I don''t want Be or me to get caught up in the arranged marriage between your families. Do you understand what I mean?"


    Stanley nodded firmly. "I''m not going to marry Jessica. Once Be and my mom are safe, I''ll call off the engagement. Our parents made this pact when we were kids-I have no intention of honoring it."


    "You''re not going to marry the Larson family''s heiress?"


    Stanley crossed his heart, "I swear right now, if I ever marry the Larson family''s heiress, then I-"


    Wendy quickly grabbed his hand to stop him. "Don''t swear like this. What if you end up wanting to marry her?"


    There was no "what if". Stanley was sure of it.


    Wendy continued, "Ms. Brewer will be back in a couple of days."


    Stanley''s handsome features tightened at the news. Brittany was reallying back.


    "Jessica is her only biological daughter. Ms. Brewer loves her daughter dearly. When she''s back, she''ll definitely pressure you. Then you must marry Jessica.”


    Stanley said nothing. "Right now, the priority is rescuing Be and my mom. When Ms. Brewer gets back, I''ll make things clear with her." 1


    Jessica tossed and turned in her room, unable to sleep. She knew that if she stood the kidnappers up again, they would lose patience. If the truth about her kidnapping Be and Ang came out, the consequences would be disastrous.


    1.3


    She got up and nced outside. It was already past midnight-everyone was asleep. She figured no one would notice if she jumped from the upper floor and slipped out quietly.


    At this point, Jessica had no choice but to take a risk. She had to meet those men in ck.


    She had made up her mind-neither Be nor Ang could be left alive. Keeping them around was only a ticking time bomb. It was better to get rid of the threat


    now.


    Using bedsheets, she fashioned a rope and tied it to the window, then carefully climbed down.


    Not a single sound escaped her lips-she was terrified of alerting her father, Wendy, or the ck-d guards.


    Soon, shended safely on the ground.


    She had seeded. 3