The unexpected question caught Emily off guard, and her brows furrowed in confusion. Her eyes narrowed into a squint, and the rest of her face squeezed into a frown as she processed Maria's inquiry."Why did you bring me all the way here to ask about Eric?" Emily demanded, her tone laced with frustration and disbelief.Maria, who seemed to be casually walking around her, simply shrugged. "It's just a simple question, Emily," she replied nonchalantly, her voice dripping with insincerity. "Speak up."Emily stared at Maria in disbelief, her mind racing with a thousand unanswered questions. Why was Maria suddenly so interested in her relationship with Eric? What was she trying to achieve by prying into her personal life?"Why do you care?" Emily shot back, her voice tinged with suspicion. "What do you want to know?"Maria's response was chillingly vague. "Everything, Emily," she declared, her tone sending a shiver down Emily's spine. "Every freaking thing."Emily's heart pounded in her ch

Eric's phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. With a hint of suspicion, he answered the call, his voice guarded as he spoke. "Who is this?"The voice on the other end was unmistakable, dripping with an air of authority that Eric knew all too well. "Mr. Radcliffe," Maria Bolton's voice cut through the line, her tone urgent and commanding. "I need to see you. It's urgent."Eric's brow furrowed in confusion. How had Maria gotten his number? He didn't have time for games, especially not from someone like Maria Bolton, who had treated him with such disdain in the past."How did you get this number?" Eric's voice was firm, his skepticism evident as he questioned Maria's motives.Maria didn't miss a beat, her response swift and to the point. "That's not important. What matters is that I need to speak with you immediately."Eric hesitated, his mind flashing back to their last encounter. Maria had humiliated him, belittled him for his appearance, only to change her tune

Maria's accusation cut through the tension like a knife, her words dripping with venom. "He tried to force himself on me," she cried, her voice trembling with feigned fear. "He wouldn't take no for an answer."Eric's heart sank as her accusation pierced the air. His mind raced, piecing together the events that had led to this moment. The pieces fell into place like a puzzle, and suddenly, everything became clear. Maria, with her sly smiles and calculated charm, had been playing him all along.A surge of anger welled up inside him as he realized the depth of her deception. "That's not true!" he protested, his voice tinged with disbelief. "She's lying! She's the one who came onto me!"But his words fell on deaf ears as the other men closed in, their expressions twisted with rage. as the men glared at him with accusing eyes, their fists clenched in readiness. "We saw you with her," one spat, his voice laced with contempt. "Don't try to deny it."Eric's jaw clenched as he struggled to co

Inside the dimly lit warehouse, Emily huddled in a corner, her body racked with exhaustion and despair. Her once vibrant eyes were dull and lifeless, sunken into hollow sockets. Weak and fragile, she cried out into the darkness, her voice barely a whisper as she pleaded for mercy."Please," she whimpered, her voice hoarse from thirst. "Let me go. I'll do anything you want, just please, let me go."But her cries fell on deaf ears, met only with silence as the empty void of the warehouse swallowed her pleas whole. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the grime and dirt that coated her skin. She was trapped, alone and helpless, a prisoner of Maria Bolton's cruel whims.Regret gnawed at her insides as she replayed the events that had led to her current predicament. If only she had agreed to Maria's terms when she had the chance. If only she hadn't been so stubborn, so defiant in the face of danger. But now, it was too late. She was paying the ultimate price for her foolish pride.

Eric delved deeper into his investigation of Maria Bolton, determined to uncover the truth behind the facade of power and influence she had carefully constructed. What he discovered sent chills down his spine, revealing a woman far more deadly and cunning than he could have ever imagined.Maria Bolton was not just a businesswoman; she was a master manipulator, capable of plotting the most heinous crimes without leaving a trace behind. Rumors swirled of her involvement in countless murders, each one meticulously planned and executed to perfection. It seemed that anyone who dared to cross her path met a grisly end, their lives snuffed out without mercy or remorse.But Eric's research didn't stop there. He delved into Maria's personal life, uncovering secrets that sent shivers down his spine. He learned of her deep-seated attachment to her autistic elder brother, whom she loved fiercely and would do anything to protect. It was this fierce loyalty that made her all the more dangerous,