Chapter 309
Irene fixed her gaze on Yonas. They both knew the answer, but she still wanted to hear it from him out loud.
Yonas’s lips moved slightly, yet he said nothing. The answer lay Buried deep in his heart, intended for Yasmine, but never voiced.
“Yonas, why won’t you answer?” Irene’s voice edged into a frantic tone. She had never addressed him so coldly before, but this time she couldn’t help herself.
After being overlooked for so long, every special moment Yonas had with Yasmine stabbed her heart like a thorn, causing pain. She had repeatedly wanted to ask Yonas about his true feelings, even though she already knew what he would choose, yet she still clung to a sliver of hope.
Unexpectedly, Yonas remained silent, as if he was hiding something. Irene let out a bitter laugh in her mind–what’s the point of hiding now?
“Irene, have you ever heard the story of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf“?” Yonas asked suddenly.
Irene was momentarily taken aback by Yonas suddenly mentioning that story. “Of course,” she replied, thinking, who wouldn’t know that story?
Yonas’s eyes turned sharp, like piercing thorns. “If I were the village chief, I would have gone into the wolf pack and killed the wolves the first time the boy cried wolf.”
Irene was startled. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“I won’t let danger linger, Irene, understood?” Yonas said, lying in the hospital bed. He looked pale but still had a commanding presence.
“Yonas, so you’re saying Yasmine’s the sheep? Then what about me, am I the wolf or the kid?” Irene asked, unafraid of Yonas’s demeanor.
Before Yonas could answer, Irene lowered her head and chuckled softly, “Yonas, have you forgotten? The sheep has already been eaten once. Do you really think a sheep, after remembering its past wounds, would happily stay in the flock?” Irene asked.
Yonas froze, as this undoubtedly struck his weak spot. Indeed, he was afraid of Yasmine knowing everything that had happened. His fist clenched tightly, then he relaxed significantly “If staying in the cage means no peace, I’ll personally break open the bars and let it out,” he said.
At this point, Irene’s expression changed repeatedly, and a few minutes later, she regained her composure, once again appearing like the girl who idolized Yonas.
“Yonas, don’t scare me, okay? We grew up together, and I was promised to be your wife before you were even born. I don’t want to delay it any longer. Once you’re discharged, let’s discuss getting engaged, alright?” Irene proposed.
Yonas narrowed his eyes slightly and didn’t reply, pretending to fall asleep. Irene knew he wouldn’t respond anymore, so she simply went back.
Around noon the next day, Irene showed up with a thermos, acting as if nothing had happened, and placed the soup on the small table. “Yonas,” she said, “the doctor mentioned you could leave tonight. I made this soup myself, and I’ve never actually cooked before, so make sure to drink it all.”
With an unreadable expression, Yonas took the bowl, sipped the soup with a spoon, and said, “Thank you.”
There was a cold glint in Irene’s eyes as she sensed Yonas’s aloofness. Unbothered, she pulled out her tablet and handled work right there in bed. Her grandfather was upset about the previous rendering issue and insisted she finish the project
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11:22 Mon, Nov 25 BB.
Chapter 309
before Misty Evergreetrisle was done, aiming for it to be ten times better.
75%1
The team located a designer within a week. Fortunately, the previous designer didn’t make a fuss about the earlier mishap and even helped them with a new design.
Yonas finished his soup and said, “If you’re swamped, don’t feel obliged to visit me.”
“I just can’t relax unless I’m looking after you, Yonas,” Irene replied quickly before diving back into her work.
Yonas fell silent, turning his gaze out the window.
***
Two days later, in the rundown area of Shantyville, a group of men pushed open a decrepit door. Inside, a man was engrossed in an old, battered computer, vehemently cursing at his teammates. He pounded the keyboard, several keys missing, as if he intended to smash it in his rage..
Caught up in his excitement, he didn’t hear the men enter until one of them rudely removed the headphones from his head. Only then did he realize there were others in the room.
Panicking, he looked at the leader of the group and stammered, “Corey, we agreed on a week. It’s only been two days. Just one week, and I promise I’ll have the money for you.”
Corey glared at him fiercely and gestured with his hand. A few guys stepped forward to seize the man. With a cigarette still dangling from his lips, Corey took it and pressed it hard onto the man’s arm.
The man didn’t even have time to react before a burning sensation welled up from his core, forming a large blister where he was burned. In pain, he looked at Corey and pleaded, “Corey, please, didn’t we agree on a week?”
Corey finally tossed the cigarette butt to the ground and approached him with a face full of disdain, a contempt rooted deep within.
The guys finally slammed the man down on the ground. Corey gazed at him with disdain, as if he was looking at a dead dog. “I said I’d give you a week, but I changed my mind. Give me the money now, or I’ll make sure you’re missing an arm or a leg today. You’re a healthy guy with all your limbs–why don’t you just go out and get a job instead of living off a woman?”
“Corey, please don’t hit me again. The bruises from last time haven’t healed. If you hit me now, you’ll kill me. I’m begging you, just give me a break this time and let me have three more days. That’s all I need,” the man pleaded, tears and snot running down his face.
Corey shook his head with a cold demeanor and said, “Blake, you’ve used up all your chances. How many days have passed since you first owed us money? Don’t forget, I’m just a hired hand in this business. In this world, it doesn’t matter if you’re a parasite leeching off affordable housing or a corporate executive if someone wants you dead, no one’s going to question it if they have the right connections. Do you think your life is worth that much? A million, not a penny less,” Corey declared.
Blake’s shoulders shook uncontrollably. Suddenly, a thought struck him, and he said, “Corey, I’ve got a son and his mom. If push comes to shove, you could sell them. You might scrape together tens of thousands, so please give me a few more days.” Corey burst out laughing, “Blake, your woman, she’s not young anymore, already has a kid, and she’s not worth a dime. We don’t lower ourselves to that kind of trade. You’re something else–thinking of selling your wife and kid when you’re broke. Just talking to you feels grimy. Want an extension? Forget it. I want the money by tomorrow,” Corey said.
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