"He'll have to choose me. Because we're bound by ties that can't be broken in this lifetime." Paige's voice carried a peculiar certainty, as if she possessed some sort of leverage over Jeffrey.
It was as though she held a trump card in this twisted game of hearts.
Could it be simply because she was the cousin of Jeffrey's buddy? Did she think that Jeffrey owed his friend enough to spare some consideration for his cousin's feelings? "Well then, why don't you go ahead and discuss this little situation with Jeffrey? Let's see if he's willing to swap his bride-to-be for you," Karen said, not bothering to sugarcoat her words as she shut the door in Paige's face.
Karen was not one to be threatened or intimidated. Not by anyone.
Even when Heather stood there with a knife at her throat, Karen didn't bow her head. So why would she ever concede to a romantic rival? Paige was obviously trying to stir up trouble between Karen and Jeffrey, hoping to benefit from their fallout.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut Karen wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
Outside the door, Paige's face turned ashen with rage, yet she was powerless against Karen's resolve.
Gritting her teeth, Paige pulled out her phone and dialed Jeffrey's number.
No answer.
Predictable.
She thought for a moment, then snapped a photo of his villa and sent it to him.
This prompted a swift response. Jeffrey called back immediately, his voice laced with urgency.
"Paige, don't push your luck." "Me, push my luck?" Paige retorted, stung by the insult. "Think carefully about how you speak to me, Jeffrey. | am standing right outside your place. Do you want me to tell that woman inside about your daughter?" A moment of charged silence.
"You looking for trouble?" Jeffrey's voice was tight with anger.
"Better than the hell I'm living right now." The sound of Jeffrey grinding his teeth was almost audible through the phone.
"Get away from my house. Now." "Then come and see me." Paige laid down her terms.
"I'm at work. How am | supposed to come see you?" "You would if it were her asking. If she can, so can |." Paige paused, her voice chilling. "Half an hour, Jeffrey. If you don't show up, I'll tell her everything.” Jeffrey had underestimated Paige's audacity. But with Paige literally outside his house, and Karen inside, he was caught in a bind.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Fine, come to Lopez Corporation, I'll meet you downstairs. Happy?" "You're trying to lure me away from here?" "Paige, don't push it. Even if you tell Karen, the worst | get is an argument, maybe a breakup, but I'll never marry you." Paige clenched her fists, knowing she couldn't afford to spill the beans to Karen. On one hand, she feared Jeffrey could retaliate against her family's business, and on the other, revealing her secret would strip her of any leverage over Jeffrey.
At least for now, she could negotiate and have a chance to see him face to face.
"Alright, I'l come to Lopez Corporation," Paige conceded, adding a warning, "And don't you dare ignore my calls again." "Cut the crap.” The line went dead.
Not a shred of patience was afforded to her.
Paige took a deep breath and glanced back at Jeffrey's villa one more time.
One day, she vowed, she would live there, as Jeffrey's wife.
What was this temporary struggle compared to that? Once Jeffrey saw their child, and the Turners acknowledged the little one, there would be no reason left to shut her out.
On the other end, Jeffrey hung up on Paige and immediately called Karen.
His fingers trembled as he held the phone.