bChapter /bb30 /b

Hearing thewyer’s advice, Ste nodded in agreement.

Thewyer typed quickly on hisptop. Within moments, he ced ba /blist in front of Ste,

She nced at the list and said firmly, “Alright, I’ll track them down. Once this is settled, additional fee”

“Thank you, Ms. Hayes,” thewyer replied.

Ste stepped outside and let out a sigh of relief. Jordan’s method really worked, she thought, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. The thought of recovering her lost money filled her with hope.

But as she took a few bsteps/b, several cars suddenly pulled up in front of her, forcing her to dodge them.

However, those cars seemed intent on tormenting her. They swerved back and forth in front of her. The dizzying motion blurred her vision and made bher /bhead spin. Finally, she lost control and copsed to the ground, sharp pain shooting through her body.

Just as the cars came to a stop, Troy stepped bout /bwith a smug grin, looking down at Ste, who was still on her knees.

who it is

“Well, well, well, look who it is he mocked. “Dropping to your knees as soon as you see me? What a grand gesture. I’m almost embarrassed by all this

respect

Immediately. Troy’s cronies erupted in raucousughter.

Ste felt ba /blittle better and tried to stand, but Troy kicked her violently back to the ground. He sneered, “bWho /bsaid you could get bup/b? You, a worthless woman, aren’t on fit to stand before me

bSte’s /bhand was scraped, throbbing with pain. She red at Troy with fury.

Troy noticed her angry bre /band smirked, turning to his buddies. “See that? She’s actually madb,/b” he joored.

One of Troy’s men spat directly in Ste’s face.

Ste gagged, feeling a surge of nausea. She wiped her face with the tissues she brought with her. But more spit rained down on her, and she couldn’t keep up with the bassault/b.

Troy crouched down in front of her, grinning smugly. “Well? Now you know what happens when you cross me. Look at your family’s situation, I almost feel sorry for you,” he sneered.

Ste stored bdaggers /bat Troy

Troy bsaid /bcasually with a smirk, “Well, wanna fight me?”

However, to Troy’s shock, Ste lunged and rammed her spit covered hair straight into his mouth the very next second

Troy stumbled backward, his cronies rushing to help. Disgusted, he realized that Ste’s wig hadpletely fallon off.

He didn’t have time to mock Ste. With bhis /bmouth full of spit, Troy roared at his men. “Beat her Beat her to ba /bbpulp/b!”

They kicked and punched Ste from all bsides/b, leaving her in excruciating pain. She thought she was going to die.

Suddenly, Henry’smanding voice cut through. “What the hell are you doing? Let her go

Just then, Henry strode over, leaving Troy and his gang utterly dumbfounded

He helped Ste up from the ground, gently brushing the dust off her. With tender concern, he asked, “Ste, are you alright?”

b1/3 /b

Ste Instinctively pulled away a little. “Thank byou/b,” she said stify

Henry red coldly at Troy and his gang “What the hell do byou /bthink you’re doing? Beating a woman in broad daylight? Do you really think byour /bbpokute /bful family backgrounds make you untouchable?”

Knowing Henry’s family carried serious weight, Troy faltered. “Henry,” he said, trying to sound firm, “she provoked me first. This is between her and the Please stay out of it”

Henry said, “If this were just your businessb, /bI wouldn’t interfere. But she’s about to be my wife. You think I’ll just stand by while youy hands on hert

Everyone froze in shock. Then Troy, realizing what was happening, shot Ste an evil smile that made her skin crawl.

Ste didn’t dwell on it. If I marry Henry, naturally have to face bpublic /bscrutiny. I’d better get used to it beforehand, she thought

The group stood in stunned silence, words trapped in their throats.

“Sorry, Henry!” Troy eximed. “We swear we won’t bother her again. We’re out of here!” With that, he scattered with others like frightened deer.

Once they were gone, Henry’s stern expression softened. He gazed at Ste with gentle concern. “Are you hurt?” he

“I’m fine,” Ste replied, edging away to put some distance between them.

“I heard that byou /bagreed to marry me.” Henry bsaid/b, looking very pleased with her decision.

Ste nced at him but remained silent

Henry continued gently, I know you’re not fullyfortable with this. But it’s not unheard of. bMany /byoung women have married older men and found happiness. And I promise, I’ll make sure you’re happy, too

Ste instinctively pulled away from him, but with her promise to Eleanor weighing on bher/bb, /bshe forced herself to try to get along with Henry. She asked quietly, “Mr. Bass, are you really sure you want someone like me?”

At bthat /bmoment, Ste stood there bareheaded, drawing furtive nces from passersby.

ALL

Her clothes were a mess. Though Fiona had prepared some for her, none of them fit well. They hung loosely on her thin frame, making her feel

. /b

“Don’t bworry/b.” Henry assured her. “This is just temporary. You were so beautiful before, and I know you’ll be just bas /bgorgeous in a few years.”

Ste stole nces bat /bHenry, his tenderness feeling almost unnaturally intense. He ims he liked her before, but she was just a kid back then. She thought there was something off about him.

b“/bCome on, I’ll take you to a ce,” Henry said, reaching for her hand.

Howeverb, /bSte immediately flinched baway/b.

Henry simply smiled at her. “Alright, if you don’t want me to hold your hand, I won’t. Let’s go

Ste didn’t know where he bwas /btaking her. People stared at them as they walked, but Henry didn’t seem to care, and, strangely, neither did she

She hadn’te out with Andrew and the others, but she was sure that if they’d seen her in bthis /bsituation, they’d never want to be seen walking with her

They arrived at a boutique. Henry turned to the sales assistant and instructed her to pick out aplete outfit for Ste

The sales assistant was taken aback when she saw Ste, her eyes widening as if she hadn’t expected to see someone so emaciated Nheless, bshe /bquickly selected several outfits for Ste,

wed,

The clothes weren’t perfect, but they were a significant improvement over what tea had bearing befor

“I take them all,” Henry said, handing his credit card to the sales assistant

As they left the store, Henry kept his eyes on Ste “Hmm,” he said with a warm smile, this looks so much better on you, Seat Dete’t it look

Ste had checked herself in the miner “Let me pl, you back.”

It was a definite improvement fint wanting g to own itenry anything, she pulled

phone and

Henry

y gently held her arm, stopping her, “Ste, you’re about to be my wife. What’s wrong with me boring you a few outfit?”

“But Ste began, wanting to insist.

Henry interrupted softly. “Alright, don’t worry about that. There’s a wig shop just ahead with all kinds of styles. We’ll buy a few so you can your look whenever we go out.”

After that, Henry walked ahead, with Ste following behind, Growing up in Dusty Pines taught her a hard lesson. The nicer someone was to her, the more likely they were to want something in return,

But now, she thought, “I have nothing left. My family isn’t doing well, either. What could he possibly want from me??

The wig shop was packed with options. The assistant helped Ste try on bseveral /bstyles, each one surprisingly nice.

Though Ste wasn’t back to her best, after a few days at home, herplexion was slowly regaining bits /bhealthy glow. As she looked at herself in mirror, she almost saw a glimpse of her former selt.

Henry smiled broadly. “Perfect! We’ll take them. With a generous gesture, he purchased five or six wigs.

As they stepped outside, Henry moved closer to Ste with a gentle smile. “How about we grab a bite to eat?”

Hearing that, Ste simply noddedb. /b

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