Chapter 9

"I promise I'll never make the same mistake again. I swear I'll be better this time. Can you please forgive me?" I had no patience for Landon's regrets. I threw the compensation list in his face in response to his attempts at repentance. "Wire the full amount to this account in three days. If you don't, I'll have the police arrest Lydia." Landon's eyes turned bloodshot as he shouted after me, "I've learned my lesson, Annette! Think of how deeply we used to love each other! Please forgive me!" I thought that he held some affection for Lydia. But now, I realized that he was a callous man. He was unable to locate Lydia's brother. Without him, there was no money to be recovered. So, he had his men drag her along into a casino. "Have your brother cough up the money, or I'll start cutting off your fingers." The glint of cold steel under harsh light had Lydia trembling in fear. She dropped to her knees and sobbed. "My brother really has no money left. He lost it all to the casino… I