Turning to the man beside her, the woman placed her trust in him, asking, âWhatâs our plan now?â
The man snapped impatiently, âYou know you canât afford to get caught, yet here you are.
Of all the foolish things to do!â
âHow could I have known these guards would be this sharp? The guards in other areas were always clueless, but these guys are practically elite bodyguards,â the woman retorted.
The man beside her scoffed.
âJamie, you really are the most foolish person Iâve ever known.
â
Jamie was taken aback, speechless.
Shock washed over her.
How did he know her name? âWho are you?â she demanded cautiously.
The man stayed quiet, his nose hidden behind a bandana, his eyes radiating intense impatience.
As Jamie studied his gaze, recognition dawned on her, and she gasped, âYou.
Youâre Mr.
Bates, arenât you?â
The man didnât reply, but his silence was confirmation enough.
Fear gripped Jamie as she realized the gravity of her situation.
Who would have thought sheâd escape one peril only to stumble into a worse one? Shaking, she murmured, âMr.
Bates, I apologize.
I didnât mean to come here.
Iâll just leave nowâ¦â
In her panic, Jamie fumbled with the car door, attempting to jump out even though they were on an elevated road.
Suddenly, the idea of the bodyguards she had fled from seemed almost comforting compared to the man.
The man was the most intimidating person she had ever encountered.
She had narrowly escaped death at his hands before.
As Jamie reached for the door handle, she realized it was locked.
In desperation, she clasped her hands together, pleading, âIâm sorry⦠Iâm so sorry, Mr.
Bates.
Please, let me go.
Iâll leave and never returnâ¦â
Confined to the tight space of the car seat, Jamie couldnât kneel, so she continued wringing her hands, hoping for even a hint of mercy.
Meanwhile, the man, clearly adept, skillfully dodged the cars chasing them while simultaneously questioning Jamie, âSo, tell me, what brought you here so recklessly?â
Tears and snot mingling on her face, Jamie looked utterly miserable as she sobbed.
âI⦠I just wanted to see if I could⦠If I could kill that womanâ¦â
The man arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
âYou want to kill Nicole? Why?â
At the mention of Nicole, Jamieâs fear momentarily subsided, replaced by a surge of jealousy and hatred.
âBecause I despise her.
Why does she always win Jarrodâs love so effortlessly? I love Jarrod more than she ever could.
If I canât have him, then no one will⦠I might as well let Jarrod also endure the agony of losing his true love, hahahaâ¦â
Jamieâs expression contorted into one of derangement, but the man remained calm, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.
âYou detest her that much? Shouldnât you feel the same about Jarrod? Maybe you should kill them both.
â
Hearing the name âJarrodâ made Jamieâs expression darken with loathing.
âYou think I donât want him dead? But heâs always protected by those elite bodyguards.
Thereâs no way I can get close.
Naturally, Iâd target someone easier.
â
The saying âbully the weak, fear the strongâ captured Jamieâs approach perfectly.
Moreover, Jamie had plans to move overseas and start afresh, hoping to live a tranquil life with the money sheâd received.
She wasnât willing to gamble everything on a confrontation with Jarrod.
The manâs expression grew intriguing.
âWhat if I told you I could give you that chance?â
âWhat kind of chance?â Jamie inquired, her tone cautious, not forgetting the nature of the man she was speaking to.
The manâs eyes gleamed with a dangerous allure as he proposed, âI can give you the opportunity to eliminate Jarrod.
If you succeed, Iâll drop all pursuits.
Youâll be free to leave the country.
How does that sound?â
âReally?â Jamieâs voice was tinged with disbelief.
Dealing with the man, she considered eliminating Jarrod might indeed be the lesser of two evils.