b63 /b

    E55 vouchers

    Inside the restroom, Sana sshed cold water on her face several times, willing away the sudden heat that had crept up her skin. It took effort, but eventually, the flush faded.

    As she retouched her makeup, she scolded herself inwardly. ‘Honestly, daydreaming in the middle of the day? Ridiculous. This is all Wesley’s fault. Now I can’t stop thinking about weddings. And we’re not even officially a couple yet. Marriage? I’m getting ahead of myself.‘

    She hesitated. A part of her didn’t want to return at all. But she knew she couldn’t hide forever.

    If she stayed away too long, Wesley would start looking for her, and that would only draw more attention.

    In the end, she let out a quiet sigh, tucked herpact away, straightened her dress, and headed out.

    She had barely stepped beyond the restroom doors when a quarreling couple nearly collided with her.

    She managed to avoid them just in time, but before she could say a word, the man snapped first. “Watch where you’re going. Standing right in the way like that.”

    Sana froze, eyes narrowing. She opened her mouth to respond, but a voice beside them cut in first.

    “Enough. What are you yelling at her for?” The woman turned on the man. “Stop following me. We’re done, Miguel. If I’d known everything you hade from Madeline, I’d never have said yes in the first ce.”

    At that moment, Sana looked up, her gaze narrowing as she studied the ill–mannered man. A flicker of recognition crossed her face.

    She remembered him from the background research she’d done for Jessica on the Madeline family.

    He was Madeline’s brother, the one known for doing little more than asking his family for

    Suddenly, she had no desire to leave.

    Finding a quiet spot just out of the way, Sana pulled out her phone and began recording.

    This was too interesting to pass up, and Jessica would no doubt enjoy the footage.

    Just a few steps away, the argument continued.

    money.

    “Candice,e on,” Miguel pleaded. “I know things have changed. My sister’s missing. My parents were arrested, but the house is still mine. I have savings. Nothing’s really different.

    “You wouldn’t even have to deal with my parents anymore if we got married. Isn’t that a good thing? Why throw everything away now?”

    He sounded genuinely confused. His parents were in jail, but their rtionship had always been strong. At least he’d thought so. Surely this wasn’t enough to end it.

    Candice pulled her hand free with ba /bsharp motion. “Don’t tter yourself. That house? Bought with your

    b9:00 /bMonb, /bbSep /b15 B..

    …

    :

    b63 /b

    55 vouchers

    sister’s dirty money. And now she’s vanished. Instead of chasing me around, maybe you should worry about what happens when the buyer figures it out.”

    Miguel’s face tightened. “Those are just rumors. The money was mine. You’re listening to lies.”

    “Lies?” Candice’s voice was incredulousb. /b“I’ve spoken to one of the people who’s been trying to track you down. He told me everything.”

    Her tone sharpened, her gaze full of disdain.

    “You’re broke. You’ve always been broke. The only reason you could afford anything was because your sister was supporting you, sleeping with some married man and funneling you the money.

    “And when she disappeared, you used her identity to trick a buyer and get that house. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t go missing. Maybe she just couldn’t take the rest of you anymore and ran.”

    By now, a small crowd had gathered, murmuring in shock.

    “Is that true?” someone whispered. The scene had turned theatrical and undeniably captivating.

    “Mind your own business!” Miguel snapped, ring at the onlookers.

    “Oh, the desperate man is losing his temper now,” someone in the back scoffed.

    “Please, if I were him, I’d crawl into a hole and nevere out. Certainly wouldn’t be chasing after an ex in public.”

    “Good for you, girl. Better to find out before the wedding. That family sounds like trouble.”

    Bolstered by the crowd’s support, Candice didn’t hold back. “Exactly. If I’d known what his family was really like, I wouldn’t have stayed a week. He talks a big game, but there’s nothing behind it. No real job, no ambition.

    “Every time I asked what he did, he’d say he was ‘in business‘. But when I asked to see his office? Always an

    excuse.”

    Laughter rippled through the group. “Guess scamming buyers with his sister’s ID counts as business.”

    “Is it true her sister was involved with a married man? If that’s the case, the whole family sounds questionable.”

    “It’s absolutely true,” Candice replied bluntly. “Her parents were even jailed for kidnapping the wife of her sister’s sugar daddy. It’s all on record.”

    She had intended to part ways with Miguel on civil terms. He had lied to her, but before that, he had spent real money on her, like gifts, dinners, everything.

    For the sake of that, she had decided to let the betrayal go.

    But Miguel didn’t know when to quit. Even after she’d made it clear they were done, he kept showing up, day after day. Just now, he’d gone so far as to ruin her blind date. He’d forced her hand.

    b9:01 /bMon, Sep 15 B…

    “Her parents actually kidnapped the wife? That’s insane.”

    “What kind of people are they?”

    “Can’t they lock him up too? Who knows how many other women he’ll try to deceive.”

    “Seriously, how does someone like that show his face in public?b” /b

    “It’s disgusting.”

    Onlookers murmured, some pointing, others filming with their phones.

    Miguel’s face was dark with anger.

    “None of it’s true! She’s lying! Don’t believe her!” he shouted.

    b63 /b

    E55 vouchers

    Candice merely smiled coldly. “You can check with the police if you’re curious. His parents are still in custody.”

    “Shut up!” Miguel lunged forward, hand outstretched to silence her.

    By now, he’d abandoned all thoughts of reconciliation. All he wanted was for her to stop talking.

    But the moment he moved, a bystander stepped in. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing? You want to hit her now?b” /b

    Miguel was shoved back hard, nearly crashing into a wall.

    Candice took a step back and let herself tremble slightly, voice choked with tears. “Thank you. As you can see, he’s not only a liar, he’s violent, and his family’s record speaks for itself. How could I possibly stay with someone like that?”

    “Don’t cry, miss. We believe you.”

    “Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll go get security and have him removed.”

    “Maybe it’s better to call the police.”

    “Agreed. His sister slept her way into another man’s marriage. Who knows what he’s involved in? Let the police sort it out.”

    Someone pulled out their phone and started dialing.

    Miguel, suddenly pale, red at Candice before turning and fleeing.

    “Running away, huh?”

    “Guilty conscience, no doubt.”

    The crowd’s whispers sealed his fate.

    9:01 Mon, Sep 15 G…

    b63 /b

    b55 /bvouchers

    Sana, who had watched the entire scene unfold like a gripping drama, was practically buzzing. She fumbled with her phone, eager to send the video to Jessica, but before she could, a pair of hands suddenlynded on her shoulders.

    b9:01 /bMonb, /bbSep /b15 B..