Imdiately Jas’s eyes widened in fear as he tried to shake his head, but Oliver’s grip didn’t loosen.
"Is that not what you’re planning now?" Oliver asked, his words burning like fire.
At that mont, upon hearing what Oliver just said, even though Jas’ neck was locked tightly in Oliver’s strong grip his windpipe nearly closing and veins bulging painfully across his temple his eyes widened in horror, not because of the physical pain, but because of the na that had just slipped from Oliver’s lips. He had tried to hide that secret so well, but now it was as if his entire sche had been peeled wide open in front of soone who clearly knew far too much.
"Abigail..." the na danced at the edge of his mind, his thoughts spiraling as panic crept into his gut. How the hell does this guy know? Did Abigail sell out? No... no, she wouldn’t. But the way Oliver’s hand didn’t tremble even a bit, the confidence in his voice, the certainty in his words it all proved one thing: this wasn’t guesswork. This man knew everything.
Jas began to tremble more violently, not just from the pressure on his neck but from the sha and dread that rushed over him like a cold wave. Cora knew? That question hit the hardest. That would explain why she rejected his apologies without even blinking, why she didn’t even look like she cared whether he lived or died. She knew everything every sick plan, every low move he made, and the secret eting with Abigail that was supposed to remain between them. He thought he could play both sides plead for Cora’s forgiveness while secretly conspiring to ruin her once and for all.
He felt like an idiot now. A desperate, exposed, foolish man. What have I done?
With his voice cracking, barely able to form words as his waist and knees trembled, Jas gasped out, "W-who... who are you? Are you Cora’s brother or sothing? Who are you?" His voice was weak, laced with pain and fear. "She never ntioned... anyone like you. She never told about you. Why are you." His words cut short with a choking cough as Oliver’s fingers dug tighter into the side of his neck.
Oliver didn’t answer at first. He stared coldly at the man before him this groveling coward who once thought he could manipulate a woman like Cora and walk away untouched. His silence stretched until Jas could barely breathe.
Then finally, in a low, deadly voice, Oliver said, "Who I am is none of your concern." His tone sent a chill through Jas’ already trembling spine. "Just know that I’m here to put you on the right path... the painful one. I’m the consequence of every lie you told, every tear she shed, and every ti you thought you were clever."
Oliver leaned closer, his voice now a slow whisper. "You’re not sorry, Jas. If you were sorry, you wouldn’t have gone behind her back to make deals again. If you were sorry, you wouldn’t be working with those ladies to ruin her all over again. But guess what?" Oliver’s tone sharpened. "You got caught."
He released one hand just long enough to slap Jas hard across the face not to hurt him, but to wake him up.
"Now, answer ," Oliver growled. "Those won Abigail and the rest what did they tell you to do to Cora?"
At that mont, Jas knew deep inside that there was no way out. He couldn’t run anymore. Escape was no longer an option. Everything had caught up with him. The fear in his chest was so loud, he could hear his own heartbeat banging like a drum inside his head.
With Oliver’s hand still gripping his neck, the pain was becoming too much. His eyes were red, his breathing short, and his throat was burning. Still, he managed to say in a weak and shaky voice, "If I tell you everything... if I open up to you, will you let go? Will you let go freely?"
Oliver didn’t answer right away.
Jas coughed a little, his eyes filled with fear. He could feel how serious the mont was. "This is life and death now," he added, his voice almost breaking. "I need protection. I need help. Those ladies those won they are not ordinary. They are connected. They are powerful. They can hurt badly. If they find out I spoke... they might not leave alive."
He looked at Oliver with desperate eyes. "So I want sothing. I want privilege. I want protection. Even if it’s just a little. Promise sothing, then I will speak. I will say everything, everything I know."
There was silence. For a mont, all that could be heard was Jas gasping for air as Oliver still held his neck tightly. Then, slowly, Oliver loosened his grip. He let go.
Jas imdiately fell to the floor, coughing and gasping hard, as if he had been underwater. His hands trembled as he wiped the sweat from his face. He was struggling to breathe, but at least he could now.
Then Oliver stood tall, towering over him, staring down with eyes full of power and calm anger. His voice ca slow and cold.
"So... you want privilege?" Oliver asked, like he was testing him.
hearing what Oliver just says, Jas quickly looked up, nodding fast, his voice hoarse. "Yes, yes. I want... even if it’s little, I want sothing. Please."
Oliver tilted his head slightly. His lips curled into a small, sharp smile.
"Good," he said. "You want privilege?" He paused. Then nodded once. "Okay. I will give you privilege."
At that mont, upon hearing what Oliver just said saying he was going to give him privilege Jas couldn’t help but relax a little bit. His chest, which was rising and falling so fast, slowly cald down. His beating heart started to slow down too. His shoulders dropped just a little. It was like soone poured cold water on fire inside him.
Maybe this was it... maybe Oliver was finally going to show him rcy.
Watching Oliver’s lips closely, almost as if the next words that ca out were going to decide if he lived or died. And honestly, they might.
In Jas’ head, if Oliver mistakenly asked him, "What do you want?" Jas already knew what he was going to say. No thinking twice. He would boldly ask for the loan he took from Kingstone Investnts to be cancelled. Just wiped off, like it never existed. Given to him for free, no questions asked. Yes, that would be his demand.
But what ca next made his stomach drop.
User Comments
0 comments from readers