Chapter 909



Lacey’s face burned with embarrassment as she gritted her teeth. “Anyway, I had my reasons for leaving. Enough of this topic. If you aim to get back at me, fine. Just remember, this is Burmoos, not some lawless place under your control.”

Cody smirked, clearly amused by her defiance. “What, Miss Payne, aren’t you afraid?”

She clenched her fists tightly. Fear twisted inside her, but she didn’t dare to show it. This was all she had left—her dignity.

Cody glanced at the elderly man beside him. “Alright, this doesn’t concern you. Go rest. I didn’t summon Miss Payne here to settle scores. Let’s not intimidate her.”

With a slight nod and a dismissive snort, the elderly man cast Lacey a sidelong glance before turning away.

“Another greedy yet ungrateful individual,” he muttered, his tone laced with mockery, which only fueled Lacey’s anger.

Cody shrugged, his voice dripping with fake politeness. “Apologies. He’s like that. No harm intended. I hope you can be understanding, Miss Payne.”

Just being around Cody filled Lacey with unease, stirring a knot of fear in her chest. It was like a slow, relentless torment. Determined, she spoke firmly. “Mr. Hopkins, I’ve already admitted my mistake. I don’t see any benefit in holding me here. Can we just get to the point?”

Cody’s smile widened. “At last, Miss Payne, you’re speaking plainly. I’m here to offer you a deal.”

Lacey looked up, wariness clouding her gaze. “What kind of deal? If it’s unreasonable, I’d rather die than accept.”

He smiled. “I know you’re fond of Jake and want to be with him. I can make that happen, but there’s a price. You’d have to work for me. If you fail, you’ll have to walk away from Jake forever and work under me without ever looking back.”

Without a second thought, Lacey shook her head. “No. I don’t need your help.”

“I can win him over on my own.”

With that, Lacey lifted her dress, preparing to leave. Cody, unfazed, continued, “If you refuse, I’ll have a word with Mr. Reeves. I might just mention how you drugged Kallie at my birthday party three years ago—all to stage the show you planned for him to witness.”

Lacey froze instantly, her breath hitching as a cold sweat formed on her back. Her hands shook slightly at her sides, and her mind raced with panic. What could she do now? What options were left? How had Cody found out about this? But that wasn’t the real question. The real issue was that he’d known all along and had waited until now to use it against her.

Holding onto a shred of hope, Lacey turned back, feigning confusion. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hopkins. I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Drugging? What drugging?”

Cody had anticipated her denial, his smile widening. “Can’t you remember? No worries. I can jog your memory.”

With a gesture, Cody signaled someone to bring over a laptop. A video began to play on the screen, showing Jeanette slipping something into Kallie’s drink and passing it to her. The evidence was unmistakable.

Lacey’s face went pale, her voice trembling with disbelief. “This… You must have faked it. There was no way a surveillance camera could have captured that scene!”

But as soon as the words left her mouth, regret washed over Lacey. She had just confessed without meaning to. Cody’s grin deepened.

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