2024-12-29 23:29:57
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The payback of Jeremy Xavier 24
The office felt colder without Jeremy. Hope sat at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen. Her mind was replaying the moment Jeremy was led away in handcuffs, his confident smirk masking what she knew had to be a simmering rage. Vivan, had cancelled all meetings to go attend to the pressing matter leaving her with important things at the office. Her phone buzzed on the desk, breaking her thoughts. She reached for it with a hesitant anticipation finger to see her dada's name falsh on it. “Dad?” she said, her voice tight. “Hope,” her father greeted, his voice calm but serious. “I just got off the phone with Miss Vivian.” Hope straightened in her chair. “You spoke to Vivian? What’s going on?” “We’ve made a decision,” he said firmly. “Jeremy is going to be released today. Vivian has pulled some strings, and I’ve assisted where I can.” Relief flooded through her. “He’s going to be released? That’s amazing news, Dad.” “It is,” he agreed, though his tone carried a weight that
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 25
Hope's mind raced as the weight of Vivian's words settled in. Her parents teaming up? It didn’t make sense—not in the way it usually did. Sure, her dad had always been a calculated man, but he rarely collaborated with anyone, let alone Vivian, who was more like a force of nature than a partner. “Believe?” Jeremy snapped, stopping in his tracks. “Vivian, I just walked out of a holding cell, and you’re asking me to have faith in some plan I don’t even know about?” “It’s not just a plan,” Vivian countered smoothly, her eyes narrowing. “It’s a solution. One that ensures Ethan doesn’t get to use his influence to destroy you.” Jeremy scoffed, crossing his arms. “Great. And what exactly does this ‘solution’ entail? A lecture? A slap on the wrist?” Vivian’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t answer. Instead, her gaze turned to Hope, who was watching the exchange in stunned silence. “Hope,” Vivian said quietly, “you’ll understand more tonight when your father explains ever
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 26
Hope hurried to catch up with Jeremy as he stormed down the hallway, he was feeling extremely palpable.“Jeremy, wait,” she called softer than she intended.He stopped abruptly, turning to face her. His jaw was tight with his eyes flashed with anger. “What do you want me to say, Hope? That I’m fine with this? That I’m okay with your father and my mother playing chess with our lives?”Hope stepped closer, lowering her voice as she glanced back to ensure no one was within earshot. “I’m not okay with it either. This wasn’t my idea.”Jeremy let out a bitter laugh, raking a hand through his hair. “Then do something about it. You’re the one they’re trying to marry me off to. Tell them no.”“Will you calm dwon Jeremy?” she shot back, her tone sharper now. “TlDo you think you are the only victim here? The way i see it theye are trying to strengthen both families, especially yours, mainly for your sake because you are the heir. Heir to the Sinclair's group of companies without any experience
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 27
Jeremy exhaled loudly as he walked around, his hands were deeply rooted in his pockets. His mind raced and if felt , tangled with frustration and doubt. He didn’t know where he was going, nor did he particularly care. He just needed to move—to escape the suffocating weight pressing down on him.When he finally drove home, the halls of the Sinclair estate loomed larger than his life, their grandeur cold and unwelcoming. Every detail—the gold-framed paintings, the towering pillars, and the elaborate chandeliers—mocked him, as if silently reminding him of the legacy he was bound to uphold. A legacy he hadn’t asked for.The echoes of his footsteps felt utterly deafening as he moved through the vast space, his chest tightened with every passing second. Eventually, his restless wandering led him outside to the garden o the soft glow of the morning.But it wasn’t enough.Jeremy raked his hands through his hair and sighed heavily. He needed to talk to someone. He needed to talk to his mother,
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 28
Jeremy had gone to his room to rest, the last night after he spoke to his mother. He had decided to sleep it through; he wasn't a baby that his mother could decide for, and when it came to Ethan and the likes, he knew what was best for him and how to handle them. The Next morning, The morning sunlight shone into Jeremy’s room, warming the cold, oppressive space he had been pacing in all night. He sat on the edge of his bed; he was going to accept the marriage. He had barely known Hope, but she seemed to him that she was someone who could be trusted, and since this was more like a business marriage, he was ready to go for it. He took his phone and stared at it. Hope’s name glowed on the screen, taunting him with the conversation he knew he needed to have. His chest felt tight, and his mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. It was acceptance, it was a decision to stop running and start facing the life being carved out for him. His thumb hovered over the call button. Just press
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 29
Jeremy took a deep breath, his hand lingered on the doorknob as he contemplated his next move. The house seemed quieter than usual despite the preparations for the wedding downstairs. The faint hum of conversations and the occasional sound of laughter floated up, which was a stark contrast to the turmoil in his chest. He couldn’t do this. Not without talking to Hope. Sliding on a pair of soft loafers, Jeremy made his way down the grand staircase, dodging staff and family members along the way. Everyone seemed too preoccupied to notice him—or maybe they were just giving him space, sensing the storm brewing beneath his calm exterior. Hope was still standing in the corner of the ballroom when he found her. She looked radiant in a custom-made gown, the delicate lace sleeves and beaded bodice catching the light in a way that seemed almost otherworldly. But it wasn’t her beauty that stopped him in his tracks—it was the look in her eyes. She was nervous “Hope,” he called softly. S
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 30
Jeremy furrowed his brow, his curiosity piqued but wary of what Hope could mean. “A surprise for Hailey?” he asked cautiously. “What are you talking about?” Hope's mischievous smile widened as she leaned against the edge of the desk with her fingers tapping idly on the wood. “Let’s just say... I’m good at handling loose ends. Hailey’s one of them.” Jeremy stiffened with a mix of apprehension and disbelief flickering across his face. “Hope, whatever you’re planning….” She raised a hand to stop him, her expression softening. “Relax, Jer. It’s nothing dramatic. I’m not sending her a box of snakes or anything.” She chuckled lightly, but her gaze held a sharp edge. “I just wanted her to understand that you’ve moved on. That you’re building something better—something real—with someone else. Even though this might be a business for now.” Jeremy stared at her, momentarily clearly at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected Hope to be so... bold. “Hope, I appreciate the sentiment, but Hail
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 31
Hailey sat in the corner of the cafe shop, she held the invitation letter as she keot looking at the spot where Hope had left, the weight and event felt overwhelming to her.She stared at the envelope, Her mind raced, she had just being invited by the famous and rich Hope?Tyler, sensing her discomfort, glanced over at her, his voice soft. “You alright? You’ve been quiet for a while.”Hailey exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself. “I don’t know... it just feels like too much, you know? Like a world I left behind is suddenly right in front of me again.”Tyler reached over, his hand warm and reassuring on hers. “I get it. But hey, think about it—this could be an opportunity. I mean, there’s going to be a ton of influential people there. It could help with the business. We could meet some people who might make a difference.”Hailey looked at him, his optimism both comforting and distant. She knew the world they were stepping into, the world where wealth and power made all the rules. Bu
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"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
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"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
57
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
56
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
55
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
54
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
53
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
52
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
51
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
