"What?" Fanny wasn't surprised at all.

That's just human nature when you ask something of me, I expect something in return. It's a give-and-take world.

"Felicia's going to take the fall for kidnapping my daughter," Shirley revealed, and Fanny immediately understood what she meant.

"Ms. Travis is in a bit of a bind, isn't she?" Fanny cut straight to the heart of the matter.

Shirley didn't hide it. "That scumbag Lord Clark acts like he cares about Nancy, but when it comes down to it, he's nowhere to be found."

She wanted to use Nancy as leverage for money, but Lord Clark wasn't biting. With Nancy locked up, crying constantly, Shirley was stuck. She couldn't risk checking on her for fear of getting found out.

But she couldn't just let Nancy come back without consequences. From what she knew, Lord Clark had people investigating Nancy's kidnapping and seemed to suspect her involvement.

So, she needed to ensure Nancy returned safely quickly, so Lord Clark would stop digging.

"But if Felicia takes the blame, Lord Clark won't let her off easily," Fanny cautioned.

"Lord Clark owes Felicia's parents a huge debt; he wouldn't say a word even if she did kidnap his daughter. Besides, Nancy wasn't harmed. Lord Clark won't be too hard on Felicia," Shirley reasoned confidently. Fanny chuckled, "Ms. Travis is not just a pretty face; she's got brains too."

Shirley scoffed. If Lord Clark hadn't ruined her life, she might have been pursuing further education with Terence, aiming for a high-powered career or becoming a success story.

But Lord Clark destroyed everything. There were times when she hated her own beauty, and compliments only made her angry.

For others, beauty was an asset, but for her, it was a curse.

So, she resented her looks and deliberately dumbed herself down, letting others see her as nothing more than a pretty vase. Only then could she forget her own potential.

By lowering herself to the ordinary, she found balance, sustaining her current life.

"Go ask Felicia. If she agrees, I'll help her," Shirley made it clear that it was a take-it-or-leave-it offer.

Fanny smirked, admiring her own understanding and judgment of Shirley, having anticipated her

conditions, even guessin her net

them

accurately.

"No need to ask, she's agreed,"

Fanny's response took Shirley bet

surprise, as if she hadn't expected

swnovel

her to foresee the cond

But then she smiled, "Alright, let's celebrate with drinks in two days."

Fanny didn't waste any time, "Give me the child's location."

The next day, I received notice that l could leave. Fanny didn't come to pick me up, but I got an address texted to my phone. I knew she had pulled it off.

Nancy's situation wasn't urgent; only Shirley was in a panic.

But this bitter pill was of Shirley's own making, so it was only fair she tasted it.

I called Ernest. The call connected but remained unanswered. Just when I thought he wouldn't pick up, he did, "You're out?"

If I wasn't, I couldn't have called.

"Where are you?" I asked directly.

"I can't meet you now, wait for me to return," he said, implying he was already following Dustin and Allen's plan.

What's done is done; I had nothing more to add, just four words: "I'll wait for you."

After the call, another message came through: Time to keep your promise.

It was from Shirley. Looking up, I saw a cab parked nearby. No need to guess; Shirley was inside.

I walked over, opened the door, and got in. Indeed, Shirley was sitting there.

"So, Ms. Travis doesn't trust me?" I teased as I slid into the seat.

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