Chapter 20: Failing to threaten
2287words
Ramona smiled faintly, her expression remaining calm. "I'm not threatening you," he replied softly but firmly. "I just offered to negotiate," he added, trying to clarify Belinda's misunderstanding.
From outside, the sound of an approaching car was faintly heard. Ramona is sure it is Hunter's car. He stepped closer to Belinda, reducing the distance between them.
"I'm going to be away from your life," Ramona said slowly, but every word was full of meaning. "As long as you can get my son and release him from your son's grasp. If you can't afford it..." Ramona paused her speech, her gaze piercing through the cold wall built by Belinda.
His hand was already holding the doorknob, preparing to welcome his son's arrival. He turned his head once more to Belinda and said firmly but still politely, "At least please keep your attitude. I'm not your servant anymore. I wasn't the one who started the mistakes in the past, so don't provoke me to reveal everything to the media, while I still try to keep your son's secret meeting."
The door opened at the same time as the moment Hunter lowered Esther from her bosom. Esther's face was bright with joy when she saw Ramona. "Mommy!" she exclaimed cheerfully, running little towards Ramona and hugging her tightly.
Belinda scowled, her face turning tense at a glance, but she immediately neutralized her expression before stepping out of the mansion.
"Mama? When will it come?" asked Hunter, a little surprised by his mother's arrival at the mansion.
Belinda glanced at Ramona before approaching Hunter, "Mama needs to talk to you." Hunter nodded and glanced at Ramona who invited Esther into the mansion.
"Liam, take care of his needs," Hunter said to Liam before walking into the park.
Belinda was so irritated in her heart when she saw how much Hunter cared about Ramona and her son.
Hunter and Belinda were now sitting in the mansion garden, the atmosphere between them was full of implied tension. Hunter looked at his mother curiously. In his mind, he still wondered how his mother could come to his mansion just as he was taking Esther.
"Why didn't you tell Mama?" asked Belinda, starting the conversation in a cold tone.
Hunter let out a long sigh, carefully composing his words. "I'm sorry, Ma. Hunter also wanted to tell Mama. Unfortunately, Hunter is busy taking care of the delivery of our goods," he explained honestly.
However, that explanation didn't seem to be enough to calm Belinda. His face turned angry, his gaze piercing Hunter sharply. "You forgot?" he exclaimed. "He's already embarrassed our family! Do you remember how she ran away from marriage? Then disappeared out of nowhere? And now, he's reappearing with a child who doesn't know which man he belongs to!"
Hunter fell silent, trying to refrain from interrupting.
Belinda continued, getting more and more impassioned, "Don't you still know that women are cunning? Now listen to Mama, Hunter! Let them go. If necessary, remove them from your life!"
His tone was even more pressing. "The woman is trying to get attention from you by taking advantage of the son she brought. The two of them will only take advantage of you, Hunter. Don't let them mess with your life again!"
Hunter remained silent, looking at his mother with an unreadable expression. Although her heart was filled with doubts, she knew that her mother's argument could not be ignored. However, in the corner of his mind, Hunter also couldn't ignore Esther's innocent gaze and Ramona's presence that always made him uneasy.
Hunter looked at his mother with a look of thought. However, in his heart, his mind was raging. What if Mama knew that the son Ramona brought was my biological son? His own grandson? The question kept repeating in his mind, making his chest feel tight.
Belinda, who was sitting beside her, looked at Hunter intently. His expression was full of worry mixed with anger. He grasped Hunter's hand, exerting pressure that felt more than just touch.
"Listen to Mama," he said in an urgent tone. "You'd better marry Jeseline and let go of that woman. We must avoid it before a big problem occurs. That woman can be a time bomb for you."
Hunter remained silent, but his heart was increasingly fluttering. He knew that the wrong decision could destroy everything—not only for himself, but also for his son, Esther. His mother's views were clear and unequivocal, but Hunter also knew that the truth about Ramona and Esther was too big a secret to ignore.
Hunter walked over with a serious face. He directly held the hand of his mother, Belinda, and looked into her eyes sharply. In a firm tone, Hunter said, "Ma, listen to Hunter. Hunter brought her here not to be forgiven. He has to pay for what he has done in the past."
Belinda was surprised, but Hunter continued without giving a chance to ask, "Hunter deliberately threatened her by using her son for our advantage. Hunter also deliberately gave him a place in the mansion to make him work, Ma. It's not kindness—it's a strategy."
"Work? What do you mean, Hunter?" asked Belinda, beginning to wonder what her son meant.
Hunter smiled faintly, nodded, and then said, "Hunter ordered him to work at Bainchi's company."
"Hunter, are you serious?" Belinda was immediately surprised to hear the name mentioned. There was a twinkle of anger and curiosity in his eyes.
Hunter nodded once more, this time more confidently. "Yes, Ma. Hunter deliberately asked him to work there as a spy. We can use him to make an advantage, as well as repay Bainchi for what happened in the past."
Belinda was silent for a moment, then finally nodded slowly with a small smile. There was a determined glint in his eyes as he said, "Okay, Hunter. Mama agreed. We're going to do this together."
"So just leave him here, let Hunter take care of everything to carry out papa's revenge. Stay quiet and rest at home, Hunter will finish everything," Hunter said trying to calm his mother.
Belinda let out a deep sigh and nodded, Hunter immediately grabbed her mother into her arms.
Ramona, who had been standing not far from them, immediately re-entered the mansion.
Ramona knows that she is not stupid, she is indeed being used by Hunter. But for Esther's sake, Ramona will do anything to protect her.
While Hunter is still outside, Ramona tries to contact Rafle, fearing that Rafle will worry the two of them and look for her.
As soon as the phone was connected, Rafle's voice was immediately heard by Esther.
"Ramona, where are you? Where is Esther? Are you guys okay?" asked Rafle anxiously, making Ramona repeatedly look at the door to make sure that Hunter hadn't come and didn't hear his conversation with Rafle.
"Rafle, we're fine here. You don't have to worry about us," said Ramona trying to calm Rafle who sounded so worried about her.
"Uncle Rafle, take it easy, I'll take care of Mommy," Ester said whispering on the phone.
Ramona looked at her son with a twinkle full of glass, gently rubbing the top of Esther's head.
There was a sigh of breath on the other side of the phone, "Thank you if you are okay. Do you know how crazy I am looking for you? Almost all of the Los Angeles media I ordered to spread the news of the loss of both of you. I'm really afraid something will happen to you." Ramona smiled faintly while stroking the top of Esther's head with a slight sadness.
Ramona stood up abruptly, moved away from Esther who was sitting on the sofa, and walked over to the window. His eyes stared blankly out, but his mind was full of unrest. In a soft but stressful voice, he said, "Rafle, I need your help. Can you help me this time?"
The request made Rafle who was standing in the corner of the room let out a deep sigh. He leaned his body against the wall, then said in a calm but confident tone, "When have I ever refused your request? Just tell me, what should I do."
Ramona bit her lower lip gently, holding back a haunting feeling of anxiety. He knew this request was not simple, and it made his chest feel tight. However, courage slowly appeared in his eyes as he stared, ready to speak what was on his mind.
Ramona took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down before speaking. He stared out the window with a worried look, then said to Rafle over the phone, "Please find out... What is Hunter's relationship with Sevano, the owner of Bainchi's company? I wonder what grudge they have."
He paused, as if to make sure that every word he spoke was heard clearly. "And one more thing, I want you to investigate Sevano Bainchi carefully. I need to know more about him, about who he really is, and what can make Hunter so obsessed with him."
Ramona's tone of voice was firm even though she was wrapped in anxiety. He had full hope for Rafle, knowing that he was the only person he could rely on to uncover the truth behind all this intrigue.
Rafle let out a deep sigh, then asked in a heavy tone, "Ramona, do you really have to do all of this to help Hunter? Be aware... He's already made things difficult for you. You've been suffering from it for a long time." His voice hardened, reflecting his anger and concern. "I'll help you get out of it. We went away from her, and we raised Esther together. We can start a new life."
Ramona instantly shook her head vigorously, her eyes filled with fear that was hard to hide. "You don't know, Rafle..." His voice was hoarse as he spoke. "You don't know what Hunter is like. He is not a human... He's a demon. You won't be able to defeat him."
Rafle fell silent, but Ramona continued hopefully, trying to reassure her. "So, I beg you... help me with what I ask. This is the only way that I can take Esther away from here, away from Hunter. I beg you, Rafle..." Tears began to pool in the corners of his eyes, but the determination in his voice was undeniable.
Before Rafle had time to answer, the door of the room opened loudly, making Ramona gasp in shock. He hurriedly turned off his phone and tried to control his expression. With trembling hands, Ramona hid her phone behind her back, but her efforts were in vain. Hunter stepped in with a face full of anger, and without saying much, he immediately snatched the phone from Ramona's hand.
"No, Hunter! Give my phone back!" Ramona tried to reclaim it, but his energy was not comparable to Hunter's.
Hunter did not bother with Ramona's request. In a low and deadly voice, he called, "Liam!" Soon, Liam appeared at the door. Without explaining, Liam immediately lifted Esther and carried her out of the room.
"Hunter, what did you do to my son? Let him go!" Ramona tried to give chase, but Hunter caught her hand roughly. He pulled Ramona back and threw her onto the sofa, gripping her jaw tightly.
"Your attitude is really cheesy, Ramona." His voice was cold yet full of anger. "How can you ask for another man's help when you already have a child from me? You want to play tricks on me, huh?" Hunter's gaze was full of hatred, his eyes sharply squinted, his face flushed with overflowing anger.
Ramona stared back sharply, refusing to show her fear. But his heart skipped when he realized—Hunter knew. He knew about his calling with Rafle. Hunter won't stay silent, and Ramona must find a way to protect herself and Esther before it's too late.
Ramona squeaked and Hunter narrowed his gaze even more, "You recognize him as your son? Aren't you just using the two of us for your benefit? In order to launch your revenge?" Ramona violently pushed Hunter's field chest to release the grip on her cheek jaw.
Hunter came closer again and grabbed Ramona's neck, "Who are you to dare to yell at me? There is no choice for you to rebel and refuse. Just carry out my orders if you want your son to be saved." Ramona tried to remove Hunter's hand from her neck but it was very tight.
"You think only you can threaten me? I can do the same with you, what if I reveal who I am to the media? You can be destroyed more than me Hunter," Ramona snapped as Hunter led Ramona to the sofa.
Hunter brought his face closer to Ramona by a narrow distance, emphasizing each of his words, "You're trying to threaten me? Try to do it if you want to destroy me. But I am sure that tonight is the last night you see your son. After all, even if you reveal to the media who you are." Hunter paused his speech, smiling smirkfully at Ramona.
"There will not be a single person who will believe your words. In this world everything is centered on the powerful and the bear, you forget who I am? Hunter Gideon Scott, if you only rely on your determination and courage," Hunter released his grip on Ramona's neck and brought his face closer to Ramona's face.
"It's like you're committing suicide!" he continued in an emphattic whisper.
Hunter then galloped out, leaving Ramona in his contemplation.
