CHAPTER 94: TWELVE YEARS OF MEMORIES

Oliver was the only one to return to the meeting room, his stride measured, his presence radiating quiet authority. He carried a confident but professional aura upon re-entering the room.

Jefferson and Raymond both frowned the moment they realized Georgia and Nicholas were absent.

"So what now?" Jefferson sneered. "That bitch and that son of a bitch are too afraid to face us after we accepted the offer?"

Oliver didn’t rise to the bait. He simply exhaled, eyes flicking toward Attorney Warren, who gave a single, deliberate nod. Silently telling him to go ahead.

"They are no longer needed here," Oliver said evenly. "In fact, I no longer need to see you either. From here on, all transactions will be handled directly between Attorney Warren and myself. However..." His tone sharpened. "...my clients insisted you receive this."

He set a sleek black box on the table, the one Ella had pressed into his hand earlier, with Georgia’s permission, and slid it toward Raymond.

Raymond fumbled with the lid, his cuffed hands clumsy in their urgency. Inside lay every trace of the past. Every necklace, bracelet, and ring he had ever given Georgia, right down to the ones from before they were even a couple, and everything that he had given her, including letters and dried flowers. Years of sentiment reduced to a neat, damning pile.

"Twelve years..." His voice cracked, his hands trembling as he stared down at the gleam of discarded affection. "...twelve years of memories... and she just threw it away."

Oliver’s voice was unyielding. "Along with the return of these items, we’ve filed a temporary restraining order against you, Raymond. The petition for a permanent one will follow shortly. Attorney Warren and I will move the documents through as quickly as possible so you can all... return to your normal lives."

"Normal lives?" Raymond’s face twisted. In one violent motion, he lashed out with his foot, sending the box, the jewelry, and the documents scattering across the floor. "How the hell could my life be normal without Georgia?!" His shout cracked into a raw, broken wail.

Oliver didn’t flinch. He stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and stepped back. "You should have thought about that before you cheated on her... and before you laid a hand on her. I’ll see you at the settlement signing. Good day, gentlemen." With a curt nod to Attorney Warren, he walked out without looking back.

"ARGHHH!!!" Raymond’s scream tore through the air, but Jefferson merely rolled his eyes. Rising slowly, he adjusted his coat and turned to Attorney Warren.

"You know where to find me when the papers are ready. I’ll leave that idiot son of mine to you."

And without another word, Jefferson left, the door swinging shut behind him with a final, dismissive thud.

"DAMN IT!" Raymond roared, his voice echoing off the cold walls as he kicked at the metal legs of the table over and over. The harsh clang reverberated until his breath came in ragged bursts, until his fury was momentarily spent.

Attorney Warren didn’t flinch; he simply exhaled, his expression unreadable, and waited for Raymond to calm down.

"Give them what they want... for now," Raymond finally said. "Let them think I’ve stepped back. Let them believe I’ve surrendered. But this—" his gaze sharpened, dark and dangerous, "—is far from over, Warren."

"I understand." Warren’s tone was calm, calculated. "And Nancy?"

Raymond’s jaw clenched before his eyes slid shut, as if picturing her. "Tell her to keep moving as she always has. I’ll meet her the moment I’m out of here."

A slow nod from Warren. "Then I’ll process the papers and make it quick."

The door creaked open, and the shift in air was immediate. Guards stepped in, their presence a reminder of his current cage. Without resistance, Raymond let them escort him out—but the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth promised that his fight was far from finished.

Back in the lobby, Oliver strode in with a triumphant smile, only for it to vanish when a familiar figure passed by.

Jefferson Davis, flanked by his towering bodyguards, slowed as he neared. His sharp gaze locked on Georgia, a flicker of malice darkening his eyes. He leaned just close enough for his words to curl into her skin like a warning.

"Remember this day, Georgia. One day... you’ll regret it."

Without waiting for a reply, he moved on, his bodyguards falling into step behind him.

"Ooh... creepy old man," Vicky muttered, earning chuckles from the group, everyone except Georgia.

Nick noticed. His hand found the small of her back, warm and grounding. "You okay?" he murmured, eyes searching hers.

Georgia offered a faint smile, though the tension in her posture betrayed her. "Yes. Just... overwhelmed with everything that’s happened."

"I know exactly how to fix that," Ella chimed in. "Food."

"Agreed," Vicky said at once. "There’s a great place nearby, and it’s almost lunch anyway. We should go there now, before it becomes crowded."

Oliver placed his arms at his waist, but Vicky spun toward him before he could speak. "Oh no, you’re coming with us."

"I still have paperwork here," he argued.

"My sister’s right," Liam cut in, voice firm but light. "You can deal with that later. Let Raymond rot for a few more hours. Lunch is part of the job. Right, Nick?"

Nick gave a knowing nod. "Correct. You’ll still have the whole afternoon to finish. For now, we eat. You’ve been working nonstop; you deserve a break."

"Fine," Oliver relented. "Wait for me in the car. I’ll let the officer I’m working with know I’m stepping out."

"Olie," Nick called before he could leave, making him pause. "Count how many officers are there—we’ll order lunch for them too."

Oliver’s brows lifted, but he nodded and headed off.

Georgia tilted her head, teasing, "Bribing them with food?"

Nick’s lips curved into a smirk. "Not bribing. The work’s already done. Raymond already agreed, and the officers have closed their part. This is... gratitude."

Vicky clapped her hands together. "Alright, let’s go! I’m driving. I know the place." She was already marching toward the SUV with enthusiasm.

*******

Thank you for the Golden Tickets!

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