Chapter 689


    "He''ll have to choose me. Because we''re bound by ties that can''t be broken in this lifetime." Paige''s


    voice carried a peculiar certainty, as if she possessed some sort of leverage over Jeffrey.


    It was as though she held a trump card in this twisted game of hearts.


    Could it be simply because she was the cousin of Jeffrey''s buddy? Did she think that Jeffrey owed


    his friend enough to spare some consideration for his cousin''s feelings?


    "Well then, why don''t you go ahead and discuss this little situation with Jeffrey? Let''s see if he''s


    willing to swap his bride-to-be for you," Karen said, not bothering to sugarcoat her words as she


    shut the door in Paige''s face.


    Karen was not one to be threatened or intimidated. Not by anyone.


    Even when Heather stood there with a knife at her throat, Karen didn''t bow her head. So why would


    she ever concede to a romantic rival?


    Paige was obviously trying to stir up trouble between Karen and Jeffrey, hoping to benefit from their


    fallout.


    But Karen wouldn''t give her the satisfaction.


    Outside the door, Paige''s face turned ashen with rage, yet she was powerless against Karen''s


    resolve.


    Gritting her teeth, Paige pulled out her phone and dialed Jeffrey''s number.


    No answer.


    Predictable.


    She thought for a moment, then snapped a photo of his vi and sent it to him.


    This prompted a swift response. Jeffrey called back immediately, his voiceced with urgency.


    "Paige, don''t push your luck."


    "Me, push my luck?" Paige retorted, stung by the insult. "Think carefully about how you speak to


    me, Jeffrey. I am standing right outside your ce. Do you want me to tell that woman inside about


    your daughter?"


    A moment of charged silence.


    "You looking for trouble?" Jeffrey''s voice was tight with anger.


    "Better than the hell I''m living right now."


    The sound of Jeffrey grinding his teeth was almost audible through the phone.


    "Get away from my house. Now."


    "Thene and see me." Paigeid down her terms.


    "I''m at work. How am I supposed toe see you?"


    "You would if it were her asking. If she can, so can I." Paige paused, her voice chilling. "Half an


    hour, Jeffrey. If you don''t show up, I''ll tell her everything."


    Jeffrey had underestimated Paige''s audacity. But with Paige literally outside his house, and Karen


    inside, he was caught in a bind.


    "Fine,e to Lopez Corporation, I''ll meet you downstairs. Happy?"


    "You''re trying to lure me away from here?"


    "Paige, don''t push it. Even if you tell Karen, the worst I get is an argument, maybe a breakup, but I''ll


    never marry you."


    Paige clenched her fists, knowing she couldn''t afford to spill the beans to Karen. On one hand, she


    feared Jeffrey could retaliate against her family''s business, and on the other, revealing her secret


    would strip her of any leverage over Jeffrey.


    At least for now, she could negotiate and have a chance to see him face to face.


    "Alright, I''lle to Lopez Corporation," Paige conceded, adding a warning, "And don''t you dare


    ignore my calls again."


    "Cut the crap."


    The line went dead.


    Not a shred of patience was afforded to her.


    Paige took a deep breath and nced back at Jeffrey''s vi one more time.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    One day, she vowed, she would live there, as Jeffrey''s wife.


    What was this temporary strugglepared to that? Once Jeffrey saw their child, and the Turners


    acknowledged the little one, there would be no reason left to shut her out.


    On the other end, Jeffrey hung up on Paige and immediately called Karen.


    His fingers trembled as he held the phone.