Chapter 185: Delusions

"Hey, the car will be there in twenty minutes," Dennis said, his voice cutting off abruptly as the call ended.

Claire took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Patience was her only ticket out of

this mess.

From now on, she had to be on high alert with Dennis-watching his every move, listening to his every word. She needed to make him fall for her; only then would he let her and her family go.

To protect her family, she had to keep Dennis's anger in check. She lied to her parents, saying she was going to look for something she lost, just to keep them from worrying.

Stepping out of the house, she got into the car Dennis had arranged. Exhausted, she fell asleep almost immediately.

When she woke up, the car had stopped, and she found herself at the entrance of a bar. She wanted to ask a few questions, but the bodyguard's glare silenced her, and she obediently followed.

The bar was dimly lit, with deafening music. Claire followed the bodyguard to a private room on the second floor. The room was spacious, with a bed and simple furniture.

"Rest here for now," the bodyguard said.

She nodded and quickly fell asleep on the bed.

In another room, Dennis was drinking, frustrated. Not only had he not retrieved what he wanted, but he had also brought back a troublesome woman. He gripped his glass tightly, a hint of malice in his eyes. He thought about how he should teach Claire a lesson.

When he entered the room, he found her already asleep. Watching her peaceful face, his anger subsided a bit. Claire woke up just in time, her face showing a hint of allure. Dennis collected his thoughts and left the room without waking her.

Claire slept until midnight, waking up with a growling stomach. She went downstairs to find something to eat and saw Dennis elegantly drinking at the bar. She approached him, asking if there was any food.

Dennis glanced at her coldly, "No. Without my permission, you can't leave. You do as I say."

Claire nodded helplessly. She knew that to make Dennis fall for her, she had to follow his rules, even if it meant enduring hunger. Watching him drink, she couldn't help but swallow hard.

Carefully, she pleaded, "I'm really hungry."

Her heart tightened, but she quickly remembered the gemstone necklace she still had. It was her only bargaining chip. Taking a deep breath, she said, "If you don't give me food, I won't tell you where the necklace is."

Dennis frowned but quickly regained his composure. "Don't think you can threaten me with that necklace. No food, and you can't leave this place." He continued drinking, ignoring her.

Claire knew she couldn't confront him head-on and had to think of another way. Seeing the glass in his hand, she had an idea. "Can I have a drink? I'm thirsty."

Dennis looked at her, then poured her a glass of wine. Claire downed it in one gulp, feeling dizzy almost immediately. She stumbled towards Dennis, grabbing his arm for support, and fell into his arms.

"Ms. Murphy, what are you doing?" Dennis's bodyguard moved to pull her away.

"Leave her," Dennis waved him off, looking down at Claire with a frown. "Claire, let go."

Feeling the world spin, Claire clung to Dennis, seeking some stability. "Mr. Gonzalez, I'm dizzy."

Seeing her pale face and fluttering eyelashes, Dennis felt a moment of softness but quickly hardened his heart, pushing her away. "Don't come near me without permission."

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Claire stumbled, but the bodyguard's quick reflexes kept her from hitting the ground. She steadied herself, looking up at Dennis with a calm expression. His indifferent gaze swept over her flushed face, devoid of any emotion.

Claire forced a bitter smile. She had chosen this path, inching closer to him, hoping for a shred of his affection. She looked up at Dennis, his features sharp and handsome, his eyes dark like a hawk's in the night.

Her heart ached, knowing their worlds were too different, yet she couldn't help wanting to be near him. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her emotions. "Thanks, Mr. Gonzalez. I'll be careful."

With that, she turned and went back to her room on the second floor.

Over the weekend, Raymond played soccer with Sam in the garden while Melinda sat in the living room, arranging flowers. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow on her.

"Melinda, you look beautiful," Raymond said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"You always know how to sweet-talk me," Melinda laughed, giving him a playful look, her face glowing with happiness.

"Emily's case has been sentenced. Ten years," Raymond said calmly, sitting on the sofa in his study, looking at the documents in his hand.

His tone was indifferent, as if discussing something unrelated to him. But Melinda knew this case meant a lot to Raymond.

"And Elsie?" Melinda couldn't help but ask, pain filling her heart. Elsie had once been her friend but had conspired with Emily to frame her.

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and turn. The next chapter awaits, exclusively on our site. Dive in now! Raymond looked up, his deep gaze seeming to see through her. "Elsie's sentence will be announced soon. It won't be light."

His tone was still calm but carried an undeniable firmness.

Three days later, Elsie's sentence came down: eighteen years. The news caused a stir in Shadow City, with media outlets covering it extensively.

Melinda knew this meant Elsie would spend the rest of her life in prison, all thanks to Raymond's efforts. Otherwise, the sentence might have been lighter.

In the Thomas family's garden, surrounded by lush trees and fragrant flowers, Melinda stood by the window, reflecting on everything. The dark times were over, and she was about to become Raymond's wife.

Raymond had chosen a private island for their wedding, a perfect location with stunning scenery, clear waters, and soft sandy beaches, like a paradise on earth. Preparations for the wedding were in full swing, with the island exuding a joyful atmosphere. Larry arrived first on a private jet, adding a touch of grandeur to the event. Other guests soon followed, arriving on chartered flights and settling into the luxurious hotels prepared for them.

In the bar, Dennis's bodyguard approached Claire, who was lost in thought. "Pack your things. We're leaving."

Claire snapped out of her daze and replied, "Okay," before starting to pack her belongings.

Leaving the room, she saw a luxurious yacht waiting at the dock. She boarded, feeling the sea breeze with its salty freshness. Looking at the sparkling water, she felt a bit down, remembering how Dennis had pushed her away, creating an unbridgeable gap between them.

The yacht slowly left the dock, heading towards the private island. Claire leaned on the railing, letting out a soft sigh.