Chapter 30 it You Lose, Not Even Selling Yourself Will Cover the Debt!
Chapter 30 If You Lose, Not Even Selling Yourself Will Cover the Debt!
The yacht set sail.
Candice and Jerry returned to the deck.
+25 BONUS
Inside the cabin, Charlie was surrounded by sycophantic elites, dealing with them effortlessly and even returning a few faint smiles. He didn’t seem at all affected by Jessica’s arrival.
Alan was particularly good at creating opportunities for his granddaughter.
Valentine, bold and eager, sought every chance to strike up a conversation with Charlie her eyes practically screaming: I like
you.
Charlie remained unfailingly polite toward her–not cold, but never warm.
Jessica stood beside him. Although her demeanor was proper, it felt like her smile was…
Sigh.
Oof. My heart.
As a fellow woman, Candice could almost feel her bitterness and frustration.
painfully forced.
She watched the trio’s dynamics unfold like a neighborhood aunt at the village intelligence bureau, eyes darting between them with intense interest.
Suddenly, Charlie looked her way.
Candice froze.
Too late to look away, she was caught red–handed with a face full of schadenfreude and curiosity.
Mr. CEO narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he’d seen right through her gossipy little mind.
“Sally, may I take a walk up front?” she asked Jerry nervously, trying to divert attention.
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll keep watch here,” Jerry agreed readily.
“Okay, call me if anything comes up.”
With that, Candice practically escaped, her heels tapping a rapid beat.
She reached the front part of the deck, where two chairs faced out into the open sea.
Waves rolled under the soft moonlight. In the distance, the city’s shimmer blurred into golden fragments scattered across the night like spilled glitter.
Finally, her body–and her mind–relaxed.
After enjoying the breeze for a while, she took her old phone from her purse.
She hadn’t used it since calling Sophia. After coming here for work she’d bought a new phone and number.
Turning on the old device–over a hundred missed calls.
Even though it had been powered off.
Unknown numbers. Her parents. Sophia. Former colleagues. Even old business acquaintances.
She opened her social media.
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Chooter 30 # You lose Not Even Selling Yourself Will Cover the Dept!
Sophia had left her several messages. The earliest one read:
Don’t answer. Don’t believe. It’s all Kyle!
An hour later:
Candice, where are you?
Her parents had messaged:
Where did you go? Come home!
Even Bianca asked:
Where are you?
+25 BONUS
So many messages. It took her ages to read through them all.
It felt like everyone in her life was searching for her…
Kyle, you psycho.
She let out a weary sigh.
She switched over to her texts–again, flooded with messages and voice memos.
They started out calm, asking where she was, but gradually turned frenzied, erratic, and emotional.
The latest voice memo had come just five minutes ago.
Kyle’s voice was hoarse, choked with sobs and barely coherent.
“Babe, I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. I’m a bastard, I deserve to die, I failed you… Please give me another chance… Punish me however you want–even take my life… Go clear your head, but I’ll be waiting for you at home… It was one mistake- just once—you can’t… can’t just give me a death sentence…”
She shut the phone off, quickly.
Like if she waited even a second longer, that crying, broken man on the other end would drag her right back into the pit.
In Vanclyn.
Kyle sat on the lawn in front of their villa. He looked wrecked–disheveled hair, stubble–covered chin, surrounded by empty bottles. The house behind him was completely dark.
He didn’t dare go inside.
Couldn’t bring himself to step into the home that no longer had her in it.
He’d searched all day, tried every method… but it was like she’d vanished into thin air. Not even a trace.
The fear of losing her choked him like a creeping vine.
Red–eyed, he looked up at the moon.
Back at sea.
Candice also raised her head.
It was the night of the full moon—bright as a mirror, its light piercing.
Until it cracked.
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Chapter 30 If You Lose, Not Even Selling Yourself Will Cover the ent
Shards of that mirror splintered in her gaze, just like the past she and Kyle could never piece back together.
+25 BONUS
She wasn’t sure how long she sat there.
Until Jerry called, telling her to go up to the second deck.
She stood and headed upstairs.
The second floor was for leisure–swimming pool, karaoke, movie room, poker tables, even indoor golf.
Totally relaxed vibes here.
Jerry explained they were playing Texas Hold’em
Candice grinned knowingly. Of course the big shots would pick the most extravagant card game possible.
They found seats and grabbed some dessert.
About an hour later-
Charlie Clemens called, asking them to come in.
They hurried into the poker room.
It reeked of cigars.
The rich and powerful sat around an oval poker table—some basking in their wins, others wallowing in bitter losses. Chips piled high, beautiful women dealing cards seductively, waiters rotating with red wine, champagne, and cigars. The whole place oozed
decadence.
Charlie wasn’t smoking. A single champagne glass rested at his side. He looked clean, crisp–almost out of place here.
Judging by his chips, he’d won a fair amount.
Jessica sat beside him, seemingly drunk–propping her head on one hand, her posture sluggish and dazed.
“Escort Ms. Anna out—she’s had enough,” Charlie instructed calmly.
Candice and Jerry stepped forward.
“I’m fine.” Jessica waved them off.
They tried again. Still, she refused.
“Ms. Barnes…”
Jerry didn’t dare lay hands on her. Candice figured it was fine for her, as a woman, to help, and wrapped an arm around Jessica’s waist to lift her up-
“Where do you think you’re touching?!”
It was like she hit a nerve.
Jessica shoved Candice away hard–thankfully Jerry caught her just in time.
Candice was visibly startled.
ཇོ་ཙག་ཡི་༤
Everyone turned to look.
Charlie’s face darkened slightly.
He stood, helped Jessica up himself, and tossed out, “Take over for me.”
3/5
મન મારું
<te that’t parn amr wtoeases dle le patatrey hunteer opened es
*15 BONUS
Is. Candio was already sliding into the bo
ahrest on her hole cards, dien in the community cente
Paving Bat ould be easy — just told every time. But she was representing Charlie Folding non stop would make him look
at guaranteeing a win? That was another story
She quickly crafted a strategy in her mind
On the surface, she was calm and collected, exuding the air of a seasoned pro
They played for over half an hour.
the started cautiously–checking, folding, calling modestly. If her hand was good, she raised slightly. Nothing flashy. Playing under the radar
But as time passed, she got bolder.
A few wins in, and she started chasing the thrill.
Seeing a potential royal flush forming, she almost went all–in–Jerry panicked and slapped her leg under the table repeatedly.
Lady, if you lose this hand, not even selling yourself to the CEO will cover it!
You’re just filling in–not going on a joyride!
“Miss Hale, why don’t you check on the CEO—I’ll take over.”
Jerry’s smile was strained, as if chewing w ginger.
“NO-”
“No buts, Go!”
He cut her off decisively.
Candice finally stood, regretfully glancing at her hand as she left.
As she walked out, a few of the rich men stared after her with undisguised hunger.
Such a gorgeous face, that perfect figure—who knew she’d be so gutsy at the poker table? Maybe they could get her number, share a few decadent nights, and forget all about their losses.
Just a pretty secretary. Surely Charlie wouldn’t mind sharing…
Candice exited the poker room.
Jerry’s words still echoed in her mind, making her want to laugh.
The CEO and Ms. Anna are alone right now. You’d be a fool to go in there…
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Chapter 30 If You Lose, Not Even Selling Yourself Will Cover the Debt!
+25 BONUS
She knew it was just an excuse to get her out of the poker game.
Grabbing a bottle of water, she took a swig and headed toward the tairs to the third level, hoping some air would clear her head.
She stepped onto the upper deck.
Just as she reached the circular sofa area, she turned-
–and without any warning, saw them.
Charlie, back to her.
Jessica on tiptoe, arms wrapped around his neck…
Kissing.
- MY. GOD.
Candice choked on her water.
