I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 199

Laura Turner was still in high spirits when she left the villa. She called her boyfriend, but he was busy, which soured her mood. Adding to her frustration was Natalie's public jab about her being a mistress. The man who had defended her earlier saw her discontent and offered, "Ms. Turner, let me buy you a drink."

Upset and looking for a distraction, she agreed. "You said it. Anything I want tonight, you're paying?"

The man's family was not as prominent as the Turners, but he was desperate to win her over. "For you, anything. I'll even cover the tab for the entire bar tonight."

Hours later, they stumbled out of the bar, thoroughly drunk. As they headed for their car, a group of men suddenly appeared, threw hoods over their heads, bundled them into a vehicle, and vanished into the night.

When the car reached The Turner Estate, Laura was unceremoniously thrown out onto the pavement, her hands still bound.

She rolled on the ground just as a servant came outside and recognized her, immediately calling for her parents.

Mrs. Turner was horrified to see her daughter tied up and rushed to untie her.

"My hand!" Laura screamed in pain. "My hand is broken!"

Her mother, alarmed, asked what had happened. Laura could only say that she had been abducted outside the bar by unknown assailants.

Mrs. Turner was about to call the police when Mr. Turner thundered, "Don't call anyone!"

He had just received a message from Alexander Ramirez's assistant. It stated that his daughter had been responsible for injuring the person delivering the tiara, which led to the tiara being dropped and destroyed during a fitting for Ms. White. In essence, she had indirectly ruined Mr. Ramirez's gift to his fiancée.

Mr. Turner instantly understood. News that Alexander had spent eighty million on 'Baby's Breath' for his fiancée had spread like wildfire. And now, his daughter was responsible for its destruction.

"How dare you provoke Alexander Ramirez! Are you trying to get yourself killed and drag our entire family down with you?" he roared. He then ordered the butler, "Lock her up! She is not to leave this house without my permission!"

The man who had been with Laura was not so lucky. Not only was his hand broken, but he was also stripped down to his underwear and dumped on a public street. He was ordered to walk home while two men followed at a distance to ensure he complied.

The street was moderately busy. The man, terrified and humiliated, was too scared of another beating to disobey. He endured the strange looks from passersby, who, smelling the alcohol on him, assumed he was just another drunk and quickly moved on.

"About what?"

"Are you planning to have this conversation in the hallway?" he countered.

"It's late, and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to invite you in, Mr. Ramirez. Whatever it is, let's just say it here."

Alexander's eyes darkened, and a sarcastic smile touched his lips. "So I'm an outsider already?"

"What else would you be, Mr. Ramirez?" Natalie looked up at him, her gaze firm. "Please just say what you need to say. I'd like to get some rest."

It was late. Instead of being with his fiancée, he was here, claiming they had unfinished business but making no move to discuss it, instead quibbling over semantics. Suppressing her frustration, Natalie met his stare.

Alexander watched her for a moment before finally speaking. "The eighty million. When are you going to pay?"