Chapter 28: Riley, You’ll Only Ever Be My Dog
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Last year, her mother had sold Rose Garden cheaply under the guise of needing money for medical expenses. Now, here it was again.
“6 million.”
“8 million.”
“8 million for Rose Garden, going once.”
“10 million.”
As the price climbed, Riley’s hands clenched in her lap. Liam, still sulking, noticed the change in her. His lips parted.“What’s wrong?”
Riley barely glanced at him, remaining silent. His tone turned colder.“What’s wrong with you, kid? I’m talking to you.”
Riley looked up. Liam saw the redness around her eyes. He hated seeing her cry; it was uncontrollable.
“What’s wrong? Don’t cry. Your makeup’s so pretty, don’t ruin it.”
Riley sniffed.“I’m not crying. And I’m not a kid.”
Liam’s lips twitched.“Is that why you’re crying?”
“That’s my father’s Rose Garden. My mother sold it.”
Liam looked towards the stage. Then, he picked up a bidding paddle, placing it in Riley’s hand and raising her arm.“15 million.”
Riley stared, dumbfounded.“What are you doing? I don’t have that kind of money!” Peter leaned in, whispering, “Liam has plenty of money. Spend it, don’t worry.’
“15 million, going once.”
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“15 million, going twice.”
Before
the
auctioneer
could finish, a male voice
boomed, “20 million.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Riley stiffened, turning to see Jake. He smirked, confident
Riley was confused. Why was he bidding on this property? She’d told him about Rose Garden, but he hadn’t seemed to care. She’d thought he’d forgotten, but now…
Peter raised his paddle.“25 million.”
Jake’s face changed slightly. Ethan tugged at his sleeve.“Brother, don’t be impulsive.”
But Jake raised his paddle again.
They were locked in a bidding war, the price quickly reaching 50 million, far exceeding the property’s value. Riley was speechless. What was Jake doing?
Liam was about to bid again when Riley grabbed his hand.“Liam.”
Liam looked at her.“What?”
Riley shook her head.“Don’t waste money.”
Peter said, “Liam has money.”
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Chapter 28 Riley, You’ll Only Ever.
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Riley said exasperatedly, “Having money doesn’t mean you can spend it recklessly. That house cost
6 million originally. Why?”
“It’s yours,” Liam said unexpectedly,
Riley realized what he was doing. She shook her head.“No, it’s not mine. Don’t bid.”
Jake finally won the bid for 50 million. Murmurs filled the room.
“He’s crazy.50 million for a 20–year–old villa.”
“Pei Shi’s young master, just took over the company.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, still too young.”
Riley felt speechless, thinking Jake was insane.
Liam, as the host, ultimately bought an 80 million antique painting.
After the auction, the party began. Riley disliked these events and excused herself to the restroom. As she left, before she could text Liam, a hand grabbed her and pulled her into a
stairwell.
Riley jumped, then froze upon seeing the man. Jake.
He reeked of alcohol. Riley felt a wave of fear. She instinctively moved away. He cornered her.“You and Peter… are you together?”
Riley hesitated. He’d gotten the wrong idea, but she didn’t bother clarifying.“Who I’m with is none of your business.”
Jake tugged at his tie.“I said, I’m not used to you not being around. I miss you
Riley sneered.“So?”
Jake stated bluntly, “Come back to me, and I’ll transfer Rose Garden into your name.
“So, what does that mean? You’ll keep me in Rose Garden as your mistress
A flicker of annoyance crossed Jake’s face. He grabbed her wrist.“Wasn’t it good between us? Weren’t you good to me?”
Riley softly shook her head.“No, Jake. It won’t be the same.”
Jake was used to being adored; he was disdainful of being a “dog.” Seeing Riley’s coldness, his anger exploded. He pinned her against the wall and kissed her forcefully. Riley pushed him away, resisting her anger.“Jake, don’t force me to hate you
Jake sneered.“Riley, you think finding Brown will get you a new protector? Does Brown know how you acted around me all those years? How you’d cry for days if I was injured, or stay up all night taking care of me when I was drunk? Or do you plan to do the same for Brown? Be his dog? Don’t dream. You can’t escape me. You’ll always be my dog.”
Riley’s lip trembled. She slapped him hard.“Jake, you bastard!”
Jake licked his bleeding lip, laughing hysterically.“Riley, you never dared to hit me before. You’d be heartbroken if I was even slightly injured. Now you hit me? I’m so hurt.” Riley rubbed her stinging hand. She’d hit him hard. The pain was mutual. Her hand trembled. She used her other hand to steady
steady it, then
it, then looked at Jake’s scarlet eyes.
Coldly, she said, word by
word by word, “Get lost. I never want to see you again.”
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Chapter 28: Riley, You’ll Only Ever…
She’d thought he was just arrogant and short–tempered, but she’d been horribly wrong Jake grabbed her chin, sniffing her neck like a dog, desperately seeking to fill the emptiness he’d
felt.
Riley tried to push him away, but he held her chin firmly.“Jake, you madman, let go of me!”
