That sparked a loud laugh out of everyone, and the woman chuckled seductively. “Are you just learning
about this, Ms. Ashton?”
There seems to be no difference between high-interest loans and robbery, yet people still fall for it,
namely me.
Panic flashed in her eyes as everyone roared in evil laughter. What should I do now?
She blinked. I need to see Juliette first.
“I'll repay my debt, Samuel, but could you please let me see my daughter? I'll call my friend to bring the
rest of the money once I've made sure she's safe.”
“Your friend? Can we trust her?”
Samuel sipped his drink and leveled a dark gaze on Gwendolyn, thinking she was aggravating for
knowing the terms and conditions when she agreed to borrow the money but was refusing to pay it
back now.
She raised her right hand like a boy scout. “I swear that I'd pay this debt that my friend had incurred to
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcover her hospital bills. She's currently in the process of selling her house and will be able to pay off the
loan once the sale goes through. I only need to make one phone call to her, and she will get the money
here,” she uttered breezily, but a cold sweat broke out along her spine.
Gwendolyn didn't know if Lucy had managed to sell her house. Even if she did, the sale might not have
amounted to two million.
The more Gwendolyn racked her brain over this, the more exasperated she felt at being duped out of
so much money.
This is pissing me off. There's nothing I can do after saving Juliette except to make up for this huge
loss.
Samuel could see Gwendolyn was sincere and turned to the woman beside him. “Follow her and listen
to her phone call, Andrea.”
She untangled herself from him and hooked a finger at Gwendolyn in a come-hither motion. “Follow
me!”
Gwendolyn followed her into a bedroom where she saw Juliette tied up on the bed after the light switch
was flicked on, her eyes swollen from crying.
Juliette immediately opened her eyes as light flooded the room, tears still rolling down her face.
Gwendolyn dove for her and grabbed her face. “No need to be afraid anymore, Juliette. I'm here.”
She tugged the gag down from Juliette's mouth, and Juliette wept loudly. “I'm scared, Gwen.”
She rested her head on Gwendolyn, and deep shivers racked her entire body. Everything that
happened today must have been overwhelming for a child.
Tears pooled near the corners of Gwendolyn's eyes, and she realized she had made a mistake this
time.
She had assumed the company Tommy worked at would be legitimate. Little did she know it was a loan
shark in disguise. It's all my fault, and now Juliette is paying the price.
Gwendolyn squeezed her closer. “Don't be afraid, Juliette. I'll always be by your side. You will never be
alone again.”
Pain wrenched her as the little girl in her arms cried her heart out in terror.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
Andrea crossed her arms over her chest and watched the scene unfold with a disinterested expression.
“You've seen your daughter, so make that call. If the money isn't here by sunrise, you and your
daughter will be fish food.”
Juliette curled tighter into herself upon hearing that. Gwendolyn patted her soothingly and undid her
rope. “It's late, Sweetheart. Get some sleep, and we'll go home when you wake up.”
Juliette looked at her with wide eyes as Gwendolyn drew the blanket over her and cradled her small
face. “I'll be here. Don't be afraid, and go to sleep.”
Juliette closed her eyes slowly. She must have been really exhausted.
Gwendolyn took out her phone after Juliette fell asleep and dialed Lucy's number.
“Is something wrong, Gwen? It's late.”
Her background was rowdy. She must still be working.
“Have you sold your house, Luce? I made a mistake and thought I borrowed money from Tommy's
relative, but they're actually loan sharks. Now they have Juliette hostage. Do you have money? Could
you front me some?” Gwendolyn sniffled, knowing Lucy was dealing with her problems, too.