Joshua stepped aside, phone pressed to his ear as he quietly gave Thomas his instructions.

    Thomas led Trayson down below deck, into a room so dark and tucked away it was almost like it didn''t exist. Their guide was someone from the Brown family-a ship manager who clearly knew every nook and cranny of the ce. With him leading the way, Thomas brought Trayson to the most hidden room on the entire ship.

    No sound could escape these walls, not with how far it was from the lounges and guest cabins. Without an insider''s help, nobody would ever stumble upon this ce.

    Here, it didn''t matter how loud Trayson screamed. No one outside would hear a thing.

    Joshua had been clear: Trayson was to be "well taken care of."

    Trayson, just hauled out of the ocean, was soaked through and shaking so hard it looked like he might fall apart. The bodyguards tied him up, then set out a tray full of knives and tools that gleamed under the single bulb.

    Before anyone even touched him, Trayson lost it-shouting and begging like a trapped animal. He didn''t know what they were nning, but the sight of those knives told him enough: this wasn''t going to end well for him.

    Thomas clicked his tongue, annoyed, the knife in his hand catching the light. "What''s with all the screaming? Keep it up and I''ll cut out your tongue."

    Trayson stared at the de, terrified, and instantly shut up.

    Thomas''s gaze was sharp and cold. "You like to y games? Good. Tonight, I''ll y with you."

    Lottie was so rattled she wired Allison a hundred thousand on the spot and promised she''d write and post a public apology before the day was over.

    Allison didn''t even blink-she donated the money to charity right away.

    Meanwhile, Joshua, Allison, and the others made their way to a lounge to regroup.

    Sabrina nced around. "Where''s Trayson? Joshua, what did you do with him?" Joshua''s eyes were cool, unreadable. "Somewhere safe."

    Allison just gave him a look and let it go. She trusted he had it under control.

    Sabrina clenched her fists, frustrated. "Make sure he pays for what he''s done! Don''t just let him walk-he''s hurt so many girls in Spring Falls."

    Joshua''s voice was calm, almostzy. "Don''t worry."

    Brian shot Joshua a warning look. "Just... don''t go too far."

    Joshua swirled his half-empty wine ss, his tone icy. "I won''t.”

    Spring Falls.

    The Webb family estate.

    ????

    Evan received two videos and a handful of photos. The first video showed someone iling in the water, shot from too far away to make out a face. The second was clearer-Trayson, drenched and copsed on the deck of a yacht. The photos were more ofthe same: Trayson, soaked and looking utterly defeated.

    Evan made a call immediately. When he found out Trayson had pissed off both the Fisher and Owens families, he didn''t hesitate-he ordered a statement cutting all ties with his Son.

    Trayson''s mother, Marissa, lost it. She screamed, cried, threatened, threw the whole scene. Evan, already at the end of his rope, shoved her away. "Look at you precious son! All the trouble he''s brought us! I told him, do whatever you want out there—just don''t mess with Joshua. He never listens. If we don''t cut him off, the Webb family''s finished!"

    Marissa copsed to the floor, sobbing, her voice raw. "This is a curse, that''s what it is... a curse..."

    With two hours left before Carolyn''s birthday party, everyone was still killing time

    in the lounge.

    Brian looked around. "Want to y a game while we wait?"

    Sabrina grinned, pulling out a deck of cards. "Let''s y King''s Game!"

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!