The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 152 Guilt Joy | waved goodbye to Liam as we drove off. He wayed back atwith a longing in those gray eyes of his.

Surprisingly, he was in rather good spirits, despite the scene caused by his rival, Sarah Hughes, and the mob camping right outside the entrance to Highland Oaks.

Cristos, Sebastian, K iki and | were in Sebastian's car, driving down Prairie Hill, on our way to the p pub with Xavier following right behind us. Although Sebastian wanted to go to the OI’ Barn, Xavier reminded him he was still recovering from his wound. He said it would be better if he manned the monitors at Cristos’s office and kept an eye out for the Sheriff.

Cristos put on smusic while | wrapped a sweater over the listening device | pulled out from behind one of the paintings in the grand living room earlier. After placing it inside the center console, | heaved a sigh of relief.

Finally, we could talk about something other than the plans to my wedding. At dinner, it was all Liam could talk about. He wanted a garden wedding right outside the mansion, just like his parents had, and he wanted our motif to be yellow, following the grand custom of the Spring Honey Bee Celebration. It was truly difficult.

to keep the smile on my face when the whole conversation was centered on us tying the knot.

Honestly, talking about the wedding madewant to shoot Liam in the heart.

By ten o’clock, all the people, except for us, had already left. Noah never made it back after the scuffle he had with Sarah. According to the tracker, he went to Highland Oaks, probably to drop Sarah off, then he went straight to the pub. | guess he was out to get drunk.

Lisa, after her short discussion with Jack, cback anxious although she hid it well. From what we could hear of their conversation, Jack had gone to the Bismarck police department earlier in the day and had spoken to the detective in charge. He said they found Cris’s car at Elk’s Cliff with Cris’s clothes in the back of the trunk. The police were currently looking through all of the CCTV footage in the area, but they suspected he was either abducted, in hiding or at the bottom of the cliff. Jack told Lisa to expect the worst, but he believed Cris was in hiding for reasons unknown.

The slight worry in Lisa’s expression changed once Liam and Link cout from the office after resuming their business meeting. She twirled her hair around her ear and smiled flirtatiously at Link. Lisa obviously liked him and didn’t seem to care if people noticed.

Link gave her a lopsided grin before taking his phone out from his pocket. | saw her pout 1/5 CHAPTER 152 Guilt when he began to scroll through his phone instead of talking to her. She obviously wanted sof his attention.

n, on the other hand, yawned, feigning exhaustion. It was a signal for us to leave.

Liam, “Aw, you're tired,” | said, caressing his cheek with the back of my hand. “I guess it’s tfor us to go hthen.

The funeral tomorrow is at eight in the morning, right?” “Unfortunately, it is,” Liam replied. “Virtue, honey, Henry is outside, ready to drive you and K iki home. I'd do it myself, but it’s been a really long day. There was the riot from this morning, then | had our marriage license processed, before coming back here to set up the mansion for the wake.” He yawned again for effect. “I'm completely exhausted.” “I'll drive them home, Liam,” Jack quickly volunteered glancing at Ki ki. “I don’t mind.” “| still need you here, Jack,” Liam said. “I may be tired, but we still have something to discuss remember? Don’t worry. Henry is more than equipped to take care of them. | assure you.” “No, it's okay, Liam. You might need Henry to drive you if you have an emergency to go to. I'll drive them home,” Cristos offered. “Anyway, K iki said she wants to take a look at the pub to helpfix the place up in tfor the Spring Honey Bee celebration. Apparently, she’s an interior designer and does scarpentry on the side. Since Nicole is in the hospital and Noah is busy doing other stuff, I'm thinking of hiring K iki while she’s here.” “Oh wow! And here | thought our town had no one left to design people's homes,” Lian pertaining to Pete and Nicole who were the town’s known interior designers. “Maybe yo should consider moving here, K iki. You'll be a great addition to the town.” K iki blushed.

“I'm considering it, actually,” Ki ki replied. “My bestfriend does live here and there are prospects.” She gave Jack a warm smile. “You never know.” Jack blushed to the roots of his hair. Liam, noticing Jack's red face, chuckled, patting Jack on the back.

“It’s nice to know you're thinking about it. So, it’s settled then, Liam said. “Chip, you drive them hafter the pub. Virtue, I'll pick you up in the morning for the funeral. After the funeral, we'll go to Bismarck to talk to a wedding planner. We only have one week to plan everything.” | nodded my head in agreement before giving him a hug.

As | ran my hands down his back, an image ofstabbing him repeatedly using my hair comb flashed before my eyes. Lucky for him, | left my favorite bladed hair accessory at home.

Ugh... | was actually going to marry this as shole, 2/5 CHAPTER 152 Guilt | looked up at the beautiful mansion in front ofand sighed. It was the only y reason pushingto commit to this farce.

“I've p got to go,” Link suddenly said. “There seems to be a mob gathered in front of Highland Oaks. | need to be there in case the situation escalates.” Liam groaned out loud while Jack ran his fingers through his hair.

“Ill alert the deputies on duty,” he mumbled, before taking Ki ki's hand. “K iki, | promise, I'll see you tomorrow, okay. And textwhen you get home. Good night.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, making K iki blush. Then, with a frustrated sigh, he turned towards the mansion, whipping his phone out from his pocket.

“Chip, you're right. | do need Henry,” Liam remarked, shaking his head. “Link, before you go, remember what we discussed?” “Yes. Don’t worry, Mayor. I'll call you once they agree to negotiate terms,” Link answered, placing his phone in his pocket. “Good night, everyone.” | expected him to walk to his car, but he paused to speak to Lisa. “By the way, Lisa, | still owe you. | haven't forgotten.” | wasn’t the only one who noticed her cheeks had turned red. Sebastian, seeing it too, raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Sure, Link,” Lisa said, giggling like a little school girl. “Just givea call or drop by my office.” Link nodded his head and quickly waved goodbye, before walking to his car.

She followed him with her eyes, sighing wistfully, a dreamy expression on her beautiful face.

She had a crush on him.

Tto break her out of her trance before Liam notices. Technically, she was a married woman.

“How about you, Lisa? You want to join us at the pub?” | asked, nudging her with elbow.

my “Huh? Oh, pub... Actually, I'm turning a new leaf she answered hastily. “I'll be heading hinstead. | just need to use the bathroom first before | drive home. Chip, don’t forget, I'll see you tomorrow afternoon after the funeral.” Lisa...

As | looked through the car window, it was Lisa's face | saw.

3/5 Thu, Apr CHAPTER 152 Guilt | couldn’t shake the guilt | was feeling. Here | was, adressing her so casually, when in fact, her husband died by my hand.

She needs closure...

“Maybe we should give Lisa sclosure,” | said out loud as Cristos continued downward towards the main road. | was seated in the back with Ki ki while Sebastian was seated up in front.

“What do you mean?” Sebastian asked confused.

on. It's “Plant sevidence to make the police believe Cris is dead, so she can move o obvious she likes Link,” | pointed out.

“Have you forgotten Sam made it appear Cris is having you delivered in a cage?” Cristos said, remindingof our plans. “If Pete finds out Cris is dead, our plans are f ucked.” Ugh! | completely forgot.

“Are you feeling sorry for Lisa, Virtue?” Kik i asked, surprised. | nodded my head. “Because you killed her husband. But she and Nicole lured you into that gym, Virtue. You can’t feel sorry f for her. She did this to you. Whatever has happened between her and Cris, | believe she deserves it.” K iki was right.

“You're right,” | said, “and | completely forgot about Pete. | don’t know... | just thought she and Link could become, you know, more.than friends.” “They can be,” Sebastian replied. “Who says she needs to know Cris is dead for her to move on to someone else? I'll tell Xavier to instruct Link to make the moves on her. Chip, have you gone through the data from her laptop?” “Not yet,” Cristos admitted. “But | doubt if she didn’t know why Cris was earning so much money. Did you guys notice her brand new designer bag and shoes?” “I did,” Sebastian said. “Chanel bags aren't cheap, although she does cfrom a wealthy family.” “Well, when she was talking to Jack, she said she’ll be leaving for Chicago next week,” | said. “Maybe we can have Link bump into her there.” 4/5 CHAPTER 152 Guilt “Now that’s a plan,” Cristos said. “I'll look for her itinerary later.” “Guys, what about the gas station? Virtue was supposed to be delivered there,” K iki whined.

“That's easy, Sebastian said. “We'll have Sam confirm before the drop. After the wedding, we'll ambush you on your way to the airport for your honeymoon.” “How do you know we're going to leave New Salem for our honeymoon?” | asked bewildered.

“Because Chip, Bo and | are going to book you a honeymoon package as our wedding gift,” Sebastian answered.

“I told you, easy.

When we reached the main road, a car turned, heading towards the mansion. As it drove by, we saw the Sheriff in the driver's seat. He looked angry.

“Max has Deputy Randy in custody. Sadly, Riley is dead. The Sheriff got to him first,” Xavier said through our earpieces.

Oh boy.

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