CHAPTER 40

Hannah’s breath hitched, the panic in her chest rising at the thug’s threatening words. She instantly shot up from her seat and scrambled toward them, her voice shaky as she pleaded. “I-I’m sorry, I know the money is overdue, but I haven’t been able to raise enough to pay you back. Please, can you give me a little more time?”

The leader stared at her coldly, his face etched with cruelty. “We’ve already given you more than enough time, lady. Time’s up.” His voice was gruff and devoid of any empathy. “If you don’t have the money, then this diner is ours.”

Hannah's eyes widened in panic as her knees buckled under her. “Don’t take away my diner please,” she pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation. “It’s the only thing my grandmother left me with before she died. I’ll do all I can to raise the money, I promi-”

“No one cares about your stupid sentiments,” the third thug, a stocky man with a ponytail, spat back at Hannah, his eyes showing no single sign of empathy. “You should have