Bailee’s face changed, and then she exclaimed, “Stop dreaming. I’m here to redeem someone.”
“One hundred ninety thousand dollars, Release or not? If you release them, take the money If not, I’ll take the money and leave.”
Jovanny’s eyes lit up slightly. “What a wild cat.”
At this moment, the Lennard couple had already been escorted out. Although they were bruised and swollen, they were not seriously injured. When they saw Bailee, they were overjoyed.
“Bailee, did you bring money to save us?”
“I told you, my daughter is so beautiful and works so hard. How could she not have money?”
“Mr. Parvis, am I right? Thirty thousand is nothing to our family.”
When Bailee looked desperate, Jovanny hummed indifferently. “Your daughter did bring money to save you, but it’s only $190, 000. It’s still far from $300, 000. It seems like she can’t gather enough money.”
“But I gave her a way out. As long as she agrees to be my woman, not only will I not ask for the remaining $110, 000, but I will also give her $110, 000 as a dowry.”
“But your daughter seems uninterested. As her parents, shouldn’t you try to persuade her?”
Upon hearing these words, Maci slapped her thigh and said, “Oh my, Mr. Parvis, this girl is stubborn. Let me talk to her.”
Maci smiled flatteringly at Jovanny and then approached Bailee with an air of educating a child.
“Bailee, it’s your good fortune that Mr. Parvis has taken a liking to you. Why are you being so stubborn?”
“If you be Mr. Parvis’ woman, not only will you live a comfortable life but your dad and I will also benefit.”
Her eyes fell on the bag filled with cash, shining like a cunning fox.
“We’re are getting old. You should look out for us.”
“Mr. Parvis is powerful and wealthy. He will be a good husband and a good support for the Lennard family.”
“Dear, who wouldn’t want to be with Mr. Parvis? Instead of being with a loser, it’s better to be with Mr. Parvis who has money.”
Pablo also nodded. “That’s right. It’s for your own good. Listen to us. Otherwise, you’ll be the one at a disadvantage…”
“Agree quickly. This is what’s best for everyone.”
Pablo straightened his back and said firmly, “I am the head of the family. You won’t lose if you listen to me.”
“Shut up!”
Bailee’s eyes filled with despair. She laughed bitterly while staring coldly at her parents. She regretted coming to save them today. She should have given up on them.
“For my own good?”
Bailee made up her mind and picked up the bag full of money.
“You two keep gambling again and again! If this is all for my own good, would you force me to borrow money and make me offer myself to a gang leader?”
“Do you know who I hurt in order to save you two?”
“I hurt the man I loved the most and stole his money to save you. I lost my last bit of dignity when I took the money.”
“From today on, I don’t even have the right to love him anymore. All of this is thanks to you.”
Bailee was on the verge of tears. She didn’t want to pay any attention to her parents, but hearing their cries on the phone made her come to their rescue in the end.
As long as her parents promised not to gamble anymore and start anew, she would find a way to repay their debt. But instead, they wanted to sacrifice her. How could she not feel heartbroken?
Taking away Darnell’s money made Bailee’s heart shatter.
“I suddenly feel like I don’t want to save them. Mr. Parvis, these two people have nothing to do with me anymore. You can do whatever you want with them.”
Jovanny spoke calmly, “What do you mean?”
“I will not help them repay their gambling debts.”
Bailee held onto the bag tightly.
“I’m taking the money back. As for them… do whatever you want with them.”
Saying this, she raised her head proudly.
“I won’t care about them anymore.”
The Lennard couple were initially stunned but then cursed in unison.
“Bailee, you unfilial daughter! How can you abandon us like this?”
“We are your parents! You’ll face retribution if you don’t save us!”
“Agree with Mr. Parvis quickly. Otherwise, you’re not my daughter anymore…”
Bailee let out a heavy sigh. The anxiety on her face completely disappeared. She had completely given up on her parents and walked towards the exit.
“Do you think that in my place, you can come and go as you please?”
Jovanny licked his lips and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
“Miss Lennard, do you think I’m so kind to let you go?”
Several burly men blocked Bailee’s path with malicious intent in their eyes.
“What do you want?”
“You either use money to settle their debts, or use your body to pay it off.”
Jovanny looked at Bailee’s tall figure and suddenly felt an impulse-a desire to tear off her clothes. He looked at her rosy lips, and his breathing became rapid.
“You may not recognize them as your parents, but their debts have to be paid off.”
“Mr. Parvis, have you lost your mind?”
Just then, a voice came from the stairs.
“Don’t you think it’s despicable to bully a woman?”
In surprise from Jovanny, Bailee, and others, Darnell appeared nonchalantly. He ignored the burly men surrounding him and sat directly in front of Jovanny.
Facing Jovanny, who was a full head taller than him, Darnell showed no sign of panic. Instead, he calmly picked up a steak and began to eat.
“The steak is quite good, tender and juicy with a rich black pepper flavor, though it’s a bit too rare. It would be perfect if it were a bit more cooked.”
Darnell ate with relish, his demeanor so casual that it felt more like a friendly reunion than a confrontation.
Several burly men, seeing this, grew furious. “Kid, who the hell do you think you are? Do you even know what you’re doing?”
Bailee’s eyes welled up with tears. She wanted to call out his name but swallowed it back, her pretty face tinged with shame.
Jovanny was momentarily stunned, then raised a thumb in admiration. “Young man, I have to admire your courage.”
“At such a young age, to have such boldness-you’ll have a bright future.”
He waved his hand to stop his men from acting impulsively. This was his turf, and he could take his time. He couldn’t afford to lose his composure and become a laughingstock.
Darnell bit into the juicy steak. “Enough talk. I’m taking Bailee with me. Also, you owe me $200, 000 for emotional distress.”
Jovanny showed no anger, nor did the dozen or so burly men. Instead, they broke into smiles, as if they had just heard the funniest joke of the year.
“Young man, do you even know what you’re talking about?”
Jovanny also picked up a steak and took a bite, his eyes filled with disdain. “This is my territory. I have thirty men, and you’re just one person.”
“Well, to be precise, there are also a few liabilities.”
Jovanny crunched down on the steak, juices splattering. “How do you plan to challenge me?”
Darnell sighed softly, put down the steak, and pointed at the approaching burly men with a smile. “Oh, come on. Still trying to solve problems with violence? We’re all civilized people.”
He stood up, grabbed six crystal dice, and asked for a cast-iron dice cup. “I heard Mr. Parvis used to be a gambling master. Let’s play a game today.”
Jovanny narrowed his eyes slightly, his smile full of intrigue. “A game?”