called out, finally snapping Zoey out of her daze. She straightened up, her eyes wide and startled. “Hi, Miss
Pennyfeather.”
“Did your ex-boyfriend bother you again? I thought you had paid him back. Are his family still giving you a hard
time?”
“No.”
“Then did he send you a wedding invitation? Is he getting married to that woman and it’s making you upset?”
“No.”
So, what was it then?
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMaja considered her close circle of friends, each with their own simple family backgrounds. Zoey came from a
single-parent household, her mother barely tolerating her. Then there was Cornelia, an orphan, her parents both
long gone, and Wilma, whose parents died even earlier. The only one with a happy family was Carol, the genuine
rich girl. As such, Maja couldn’t guess what was bothering Zoey.
“Is a business partner giving you trouble?” Maja offered a tissue from the box beside her.
Zoey’s hand trembled as she reached for the tissue. “No, Miss Pennyfeather. I just watched a really touching
movie.”
Zoey had a gentle face, and even in the dim car light, Maja noticed her red eyes. For some reason, Maja felt a pang
of sympathy.
She was the president of Star Movie Group, and she had a certain protective instinct towards her close circle. But
Star Movie Group was too small to offer much protection.
A sigh escaped her as she massaged her forehead. “Let’s go home.”
Zoey’s hands shook as they clenched the steering wheel, her mind replaying the words of the man who held
absolute control over her. He refused to let her speak, pulling her into his games whenever he felt like it. He never
stayed the night or sweet-talked her. His lack of verbal abuse was the most grace he ever offered.
When Zoey chose this path, she had to swallow her pride. She wanted to follow Maja out of the car earlier, but he
pulled her upstairs.
Below were the patrons of the BlueSky Bar, who would have known instantly what she was doing if they looked up.
There was no concealment. Her clothes were disheveled and her hands were trapped behind her, rendering her
powerless. She despised the smell of smoke, but he forced her to inhale it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“I give you anything, and you have to take it.”
His words sent a chill down her spine. She had no choice but to lower her lashes and endure.
When they parked in front of Rosewood Manor, Zoey’s face was ashen. He didn’t finish his business with her
tonight, probably because it wasn’t the best place for it. After he had his fill of her humiliation, he left her there.
Maja’s voice snapped her out of her stupor. “Let’s go to that cocktail party together tomorrow night.”
“Okay, Miss Pennyfeather.”
Maja hoped to get a good night’s sleep but was rudely awakened by a phone call at two in the morning. It was from
the company.
“Miss Pennyfeather, Shawn was taken by the police!”
Maja’s heart skipped a beat as she sprang out of bed. “What happened?”