The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision Joy | was waiting for Sebastian to show up to givea tutorial on how to use the POS system he had installed. | decided to arrange the accessories | knew the students would need to pretty up their gowns on the display rack while | waited.

It was an interesting morning.

| had noticed the young man in the black sweater approaching even before Jack exited his truck and dashed towards me. Knowing Jack wouldn't get toin time, | decided to stall the young man. | grabbed on to his sleeve and asked him who he was. | had already anticipated that my unexpected action would agitate him. If it weren't for Jack, | would have kicked the man in the balls despite the numerous passersby coming in and out of Bo’s. | didn’t care if kicking him would reveal | had the capability of defending myself. After my assault, | vowed no one would hurtagain..

Yet, luck was on my side. Jack madelook... helpless.

| showed Jack the small note, looking anxious. After he placed his handcuffs on the young man, he roughly pushed the man against the wall of the commercial complex building.

“Who are you?” Jack asked. The young man hesitated. “ANSWER ME!” “My nis Floyd,” the young man quicky spat out as Jack’s quiet demeanor changed into a murderous rage.

“Floyd like the boxer,” Jack said. He grabbed his rawhich was holstered on his belt and called it in. “I have a twenty year old male, five foot ten, answers to the nof Floyd. L need someone to pick him up at the commercial complex.

“Copy that, Undersheriff,” a male voice said through the radio. “ETA, five minutes.” “You can’t arrest me,” the young man argued. “I didn’t do nothing.” “Oh yes I can. | can hold you for assault and battery,” Jack said, his voice low and intimidating.

“I want a lawyer,” the man said, putting on a brave face. “I have rights you know.” 1/5 CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision worry, Virtue. We'll get this sorted out. He won't ever hurt you.” | nodded, lowering my head, so Jack wouldn't see the anger in my eyes. My hands were shaking, makinglook frightened. Actually, they were shaking because | was angry.

Xavier suddenly cout, wondering why there were so many people gathered near his grocery store.

“Jack, what happened?” Xavier said, pointing at me, then at the young man in the black sweater.

“This guy here thought it would be funny to play a prank on one of our own,” Jack answered.

“Prank? He almost hit me,” | said incredulously, acting hysterical, like whatever happened had just finally sunk in. “I've been here for two weeks and no one else has ever done something like this to me.” Xavier tookin his arms and consoled me. “Hey, hey, hey... ssshhhh... Calm down. This is probably all a misunderstanding. Right Jack?” “| was paid to give-” The young man didn’t finish his sentence. | glanced behindand saw Jack with his hand on the young man’s shoulder shaking his head, warning him not to speak.

“Yeah, Bo. This was just all a misunderstanding, Jack assured him.

We suddenly heard the sirens of the patrol car. In a matter of minutes, Floyd was dragged into the back seat of the patrol car and driven away by a deputy.

After Jack took a picture of the note with his phone, he placed a gentle hand on my arm.

“Virtue, | know he scared you, but him raising his arm was just probably a bad reaction to you pulling on the sleeve of his shirt,” Jack explained. “I promise you, you're safe.” He turned to Xavier. “Bo, can | count on you to keep watch?” “Sure, Undersheriff,” Xavier answered quickly.

“Callif you see anyone suspicious. I'll drop by later tonight to check up on you, Virtue. Thanks, Bo. I'm glad | can count on you,” Jack said and waved goodbye. | moved my hand, acknowledging his wave before entering my store. Xavier followedinside and locked the door, but waited for Jack to drive off before speaking to me.

2/5 CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision “What was written on the note?” He asked.

“I'll see you soon. P,” | answered. He smirked and looked up at the ceiling amused.

“Lou will be here later to install the security system with a door chand place a steel coiling door in front of the shop. Although the storefront window and door are made of security glass, double the protection is better,” Xavier said.

“I would have kicked that guy in the balls if Jack hadn't intervened. And this note is just a reminder from someone pathetic,” | said, placing the note on the counter. “Pete wants everything to coincide with the Spring Formal. So we have to plan for that night.” “While you were having coffee, Chip left with Dan. They're headed to the airport bound for Chicago,” Xavier said, suddenly changing the topic.

“What are they going to do there?” | asked, knowing what the answer to my question would be.

“They have an appointment at Tiffany's,” Xavier said, avoiding eye contact. He walked to the counter and stood in front of me. “I know you don’t want to be engaged or even marry Liam, but | think it’s poetic justice in a way.

You marry him, kill him and everything the Cohens have to stand for all they've accumulated throughout the decades from their underground operations, becomes yours, Virtue. One of the Taylors his family has been warring with for generations.” “But that pri ck raped me! | can’t, Bo, and | won't,” | murmured angrily at him.

“l understand, Virtue, but hearout, Xavier said. “You do this and you not only get to kill the ba stard and his merry bunch of a sholes, but you get to wipe out his family nfrom memory. No more statues or relics of the Cohens, no more mansion sitting on the top of Prairie Hill, no more reminders that the Cohens ever existed, not even books. You can do all of that when you seize control of their lavish estate. If the Cohens yell ‘death to all Taylors’, you can answer back with ‘death to everything Cohen’ when you stand in front of their graves. You, no one else, but you can do that.” | stared at him, stunned, that he was able to explain things so coherently and so vividly. Xavier, the quiet one.

While Sebastian thought | would agree with his proposal for the purpose of expanding their territory, Xavier made it clearer that | would benefit the most by giving a much bigger perspective... a dazzling culmination to the revenge | still seek.

| could destroy everything the Cohens have tried to build and wipe them out from the face of this earth.

3/5 CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision | sighed. He had a point. But deep inside my heart, | felt so disgusted that | would have to marry Liam Cohen...

the bas t ard | wanted stab with a knife until all his guts were hanging. out from his body.

two carat “Think about it, Virtue. Chip and Dan are on their way to Chicago to pick up a diamond ring. If | know Liam, he will make his proposal public to better his image. I've been handing out fliers for your grand opening tomorrow. | have this nagging feeling, he’s going to do it here, in front of everyone when he assists you in cutting the ribbon to open your new boutique. You have asked him to cut the ribbon, right?” Xavier asked.

“I was going to call him later and ask,” | answered.

“Well, think about it okay? | gotta get back to work. Dom will be here later when he’s done. pretending to be heartbroken over Marla.” He patted my hand and turned to leave. “And sweetie, | meant what | said. You and I, we're meant to be together. All of this, all our sacrifices, is for you to get what you want... so you can live your life with a happily ever after. We want you to be happy.” He unlocked the door and exited to head back to Bo’s.

| closed the display cabinet, finished with my task of displaying the accessories... asking myself repeatedly...

could I... would I... should I? Did | have it into pretend to love someone | have hated since | was a teenager? | was still debating with myself when my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw it was Liam.

Speaking of the devil...

“Hi Liam! How are you?” | asked like a lovesick teenager, hoping he would hear the enthusiasm in my voice.

“I should be asking you that,” he replied, chuckling. “I just heard what happened from Jack Are you doing okay?” “I'm fine,” | answered, shrugging the incident off. “Jack explained it was all a prank. Anyway, the young man just handeda note. It was harmless.” | quickly changed the subject. “By the way, tomorrow is my grand opening.

| was hoping you'd stop by, but | have something else that you can helpwith... if you have the time, that is.” “Anything for you,” he said. “What do you needto do?” “Can you be my guest of honor for the ribbon cutting ceremony? It would be such a privile CHAPTER 96 A Difficult Decision if the mayor of New Salem could be here,” | said, my voice sounding hopeful.

“I thought you would never ask,” Liam replied happily. “Would ten in the morning sound good?” “That would be perfect!” | exclaimed. “Ten in the morning it is. Promiseyou'll show up?” “I promise, Virtue. Gosh, | miss you,” Liam said, breathlessly. “Just hearing your voice has madesmile.” “Aw, | miss you too,” | said. “How's your father by the way? Do you needto drop by at the hospital?” “No, there’s no need for you to chere,” he answered. “My father is awake and perky, thanks for asking. He'll be going hsoon. We've decided he can continue his recovery at the mansion.” That's great news.

tomorrow then.” | lied. | had hoped he would remain in the hospital. “I'll see you.

“Yes, tomorrow. Bye, love,” he said. | grimaced. He calledlove.

“Bye, Liam,” | said and hung up. | threw my phone on the counter and cringed.

“So, have you decided yet?” Sebastian said from behind me. D amn that wall panel.

“It was a difficult decision, but yes | have decided,” | answered. “You are looking at the soon- to-be Mrs. Liam Cohen.” Chapter Comments Luna-Mom Aha looks like Noah is going to have a lot of lies to tell Anna Murray | know you must be busy but please please more chapters, | need more VIEW ALL 2 COMMENTS.

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