Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim by Dream Fish

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Zack hung his head in shame, unable to say a word.

The man in black sneered. "Desire is a bottomless pit, lady. Your brother has no real skills but dreams of getting

rich overnight. He took a high-interest loan from me. The interest is Just piling up. If you don't want to help him,

it's fine. I'll just take one of his hands to teach. him a lesson."

“Angle, | swear I'll never gamble or borrow money again! This is the last tI'll turn over a new leaf! If not for

me, then for your mom's house! If I'm gone, they'll definitely take it!" Zack prostrated himself before Angela and

begged desperately.

Angela bit her lip and reluctantly took out her wedding ring. This was her masterpiece, and when it had initially

been released, it had caused a sensation in the design world. So many diamond wedding rings on the market

had since been inspired by hers.

Yet, to this day, no one knew she was the designer.

"Is this worth anything?" The man in black held up the wedding ring, examining it under the light.

The 19 rare pink diamonds sparkled brilliantly, illuminating the entire basement.

“You can have it appraised-it's worth at least five million dollars.” Angela's voice was icy, but her heart was

bleeding from her loss.

Her eyes stayed fixed on the ring she had given up. She silently reminded herself to remember this humiliation

and pain.

Someday, she would take back everything that was hers.

"Where did this ring cfrom?" Dexter sat in his office chair, casually toying with the wedding ring in his hand.

He seemed relaxed, but the air around him was chilling. The temperature in the large office seemed to have

dropped in an instant.

Zayn shrugged. “A buddy of mine said he found something good, so he brought it over to show me. You know,

my grandma always liked Sue Zahn's designs, but she vanished from the scene a few years ago. I'm not even

sure if this is real, so | thought I'd ask for your opinion."

“Is that so?” Dexter's expression was stern as he paused, his gaze fixed on the ring. After a slight pause, he said,

“It's a pity that this ring isn't one of Sue Zahn's creations."

Zayn was about to sip his coffee, but upon hearing that, he set down his cup

in

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disappointment.

He remarked, “Really? Then who do you think designed it? | thought it was pretty unique. Even if it's not Sue

Zahn's piece, | think I'll still keep it. They say it's worth over three million dollars."

He reached out, intending to take the ring back. However, Dexter didn't hand it over.

"It's worthless. Your buddy got scammed. "His tone was lazy but had an edge.

Zayn scratched his head and said, "I don't mind. | think it looks nice, and I'd like to keep it.

To his surprise, Dexter suddenly stood up and pocketed the ring. "What's there to keep? It's worthless. I'll throw it

away for you."

With that, he strode out the door.

In the car, Chet glanced at Dexter through the rearview mirror hesitantly. He then looked over at Erica, who was

in the passenger seat,

Erica was Dexter's longest-serving and most trusted secretary. But there was another reason for his trust her

sister, Elena, had a special place in Dexter's heart.

Erica turned to Dexter and asked, "Mr. Bamford, where are we headed

Before she was done asking, she caught a glimpse of the ring in Dexter's hand and froze. Isn't that Mrs.

Bamford's ring? How did it end up with you?"

She recalled the confrontation she'd had with Angela the day before and felt nervous.

"What exactly did you say to her yesterday?" Dexter questioned coldly.

Erica's heart raced as she lowered her head and replied, “I just told her not to handle the Bamford family's

properties recklessly."

Dexter loosened his tie irritably. "Go to Brighton Road."

Chet immediately started the car and drove off

Angela was staying at a small motel on Brighton Road. It was the only place she had managed to secure a stay

for now.

When she got back to her room, she headed straight to the bathroom to wash away her frustration. As the warm

water cascaded over her, it provided her with a sense of comfort.

But strangely, she felt Dexter's presence.

Angela rolled her eyes at herself the moment the thought formed in her head. She was being ridiculous-why was

she even thinking of him?

She mourned the three years she had blindly wasted. Now, she was adamant about

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Chapter

severing ties with him completely.

Angela turned off the water and wrapped herself in a towel. She stepped out cursing," Dexter Bamford, you

scumbag! If there's any justice in the world, may you go broke and

starve..."

The words had barely left her lips before her face turned pale in the next second.

She just realized that there were people in her living room. The unwelcguests were none other than Dexter

and Erica. One was seated while the other was standing.

Dexter's tall, muscular frlooked out of place on her tiny, shabby couch. The sight of him made the whole

room feel cramped. His legs were crossed as he watched Angela calmly. His eyes were dark and piercing as he

took in her embarrassment and distress.

"If I go broke, you'll be worse off." He smirked, his lips curling up in mocking amusement. “Damn it! Had he been

here the whole time?” Angela wondered, feeling a chill run through

her.

Instinctively, she tightened her towel around her and gritted her teeth. "If you're not here to deliver the divorce

papers, then leave. You're not welchere."

"Mrs. Bamford, Mr. Bamford chere for your sake. How could you say that?" Erica rebuked her coldly as

though reprimanding an unruly student.

Angela shot her an icy glare. “Perhaps you've forgotten-this isn't Bamford Estate. Nothing here belongs to

Dexter. | am the one who owns everything here!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but every word held impact and exuded a strange sense of authority.

Erica was momentarily stunned and frowned hard in response. Had Angela lost her mind How dare she speak

this way? Surely Dexter would teach her a lesson for her audacious behavior.

"Leave us,” Dexter ordered with a wave of his hand.

Erica's eyes widened in shock as she pondered, "What? He's not angry... And he's even askingto leave!" She

couldn't understand the shift, but she gave Angela a resentful look before brushing past her.

Only Angela and Dexter remained in the room.

"You sold the wedding ring.” Dexter gripped both armrests as support as he stood up.

He closed in on Angela with his icy gaze locked onto her as though he wanted to tear her apart.

Angela's breath hitched, and she instinctively backed away, only to find herself against the

wall. In a daze, she realized that he was right in front of her, holding her prized creation in

his hand.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Hadn't she sold the ring to the loan sharks? Why was it with Dexter?

"Yes. So what?" She scoffed, looking away from his accusatory gaze.

He grabbed her chin sharply, causing her a flash of pain that almost brought tears to her

eyes.

“Angela, are you out of your mind?" His chest was tight with an inexplicable sense of stifling frustration he

couldn't quite comprehend.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

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