Megan looked toward Marcus Patel. He stood frozen among the frightened guests, his face pale. Derek followed her gaze. Before he could speak, Charles looked at Megan.“How do you want him to pay?” Charles asked.Megan slowly turned toward him. She did not answer immediately. She walked toward Charles, and every eye in the room followed her. She stopped in front of the Chief of Police. “Give me your pistol,” she demanded.Charles studied her face. He understood what she had been through. Without saying a word, he unholstered his sidearm and handed the weapon to her. Murmurs immediately spread across the ballroom. “What is she going to do?” a guest whispered.“Stop her!” another shouted.“Nobody move!” an officer yelled.Marcus began backing away. “Megan, wait,” he pleaded.She kept walking toward him. His confidence was completely gone. “Megan, listen to me. I was angry. I wasn't thinking,” Marcus stammered.She didn't stop. “You destroyed my face,” she said.Marcus swallowed hard.

“Enough, Mom,” Megan said. Her voice shook, but she did not back down.Her mother stared at her, looking completely shocked. Megan wiped the tears from her cheeks with a quick motion.“You cannot tell me how to live my life anymore,” Megan stated firmly. She looked her mother in the eyes. “You cannot tell me what is best for me. You do not even know what I have been through.”Her mother opened her mouth to argue, but Megan spoke over her.“And you all know what you are saying is not true,” Megan insisted. She turned to look at her father. “You know the Morrisons are evil people. You know they set Derek up.”Her father immediately slammed his hand down on the arm of his chair. “Keep your mouth shut!” he shouted.Megan flinched at the volume of his voice.“After all these years, you are still defending this lowlife?” her father asked, pointing a shaking finger at Derek. “What exactly did this man give you? What kind of poison did he put in your head? What kind of stupid potion did he gi

The room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. Ezekiel Black had vanished out the door, leaving behind the signed paper that wiped away the family’s mountain of debt. Nobody said a word for a long time.Finally, Megan’s mother broke the quiet. She glared at the empty doorway before turning to Derek with a sneer.“I don’t know what you did to him, and I don't care how you scared an old man into running like that,” she said, folding her arms. “But I know Ezekiel Black. He isn't finished.”Derek didn't bother to answer.“He only left because he’s frail and old,” she continued, her voice dripping with spite. “You think you can push him around because you managed to shove him? Let me tell you something. You would never dare try that with a younger man. I am a hundred percent sure he’s going to get himself together and come back. And when he does, he’ll deal with you properly.”Megan looked down at the signed paper in her father's hand.“So, you really think it was just because of his age

Derek and Megan walked side by side down the quiet, dark road. For the first time in a very long time, Megan felt a strange sense of peace. She still couldn’t fully believe Derek’s promise. He had looked her in the eyes and told her that he would fix her face in a few hours. A part of her wanted to believe him, but another part was too afraid to hope.She glanced at him and asked, "Derek?""Yes?" he replied, looking down at her."If you really can heal my face," she started, hesitating, "what if I become ugly again later?"Derek let out a small chuckle. "You have been worrying far too much," he told her.Megan managed a faint smile. "I think I have had enough reasons to worry in my life," she admitted.Derek was about to answer when he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. Megan nearly walked right into him. "What happened?" she asked, her voice tight with sudden nerves.Derek’s expression shifted instantly. His eyes moved slowly across the road, searching the shadows. "Nothing," he sa

The moment Derek and Megan stepped out of Ezekiel Black’s apartment, they saw a magnificent black Rolls-Royce Cullinan waiting for them. The vehicle gleamed beneath the evening lights, its polished body reflecting the surroundings. It was the kind of car that made people stop and stare even in the wealthiest district of Riverstone City. The rear door opened automatically, and Derek, who had already contacted Bushman Longtin to arrange the transport, ushered Megan inside.The interior was even more luxurious than the exterior, with soft leather seats and polished wood trim that made the cabin feel more like a private lounge. As soon as the door clicked shut, Megan turned toward Derek. She stared at him for several seconds before leaning over to wrap her arms around him.“Thank you,” she whispered.Derek’s expression softened. “For what?” he asked.“For everything,” she replied, tightening her grip. “For coming back.”Derek gently placed a hand on her back, holding her until she finally