"It's the truth..."

Winter teared up miserably even as she picked up her phone. "Ask Helen yourself if you don't believe me."

"Lies!" Gina kept snapping angrily, but she was already panicking.

She knew her daughter better than anyone—Helen had been leaving for work earlier these days, even before sunrise.

Gina presumed that it was about work, but to think that she was coming here for Frank.

Though her indignation flared, she was afraid to press the issue, instead making a mental note to interrogate her daughter next time she saw her.

"Hey, have you called that bastard yet?" she asked instead.

"No. Frank's not answering. I think he's busy," Winter replied, shaking her head even as she glared defiantly at Gina and Jade.

"Hah! More like he's running away from his crimes!" Cindy laughed coolly.

Jade was in turn ranting immediately, "That bastard! I'll make him suffer! It's all you Northstream Lanes'

fault—if Helen married that scum, my daughter wouldn't have to suffer such ignominy!"

Then, wheeling on Gina, she issued an ultimatum. "You'd better bring him in, or you're not making it

back to the main family!"

Gina quickly reasoned, "Please, just calm down."

"Fuck off! Northstream is filled with savages! All of them!" Jade bellowed as she strode off, leaving Gina

standing there awkwardly.

Still, her awkwardness soon turned to rage as she bellowed at Carol, "Tell Frank Lawrence to come to

Lane Manor and apologize if he wants his little bitch back, or she's dead!"

Then, turning toward Hughie, she pointed at Winter and snapped, "Take her!"

"Yeah." Hughie nodded and strode up without another word with a sinister smile.

He shoved Carol out of the way, sending her stumbling violently into a pillar.

As Carol hit her head and bled, collapsing to a heap, Hughie seized Winter, picking her up like she was

a pet, and shoved her into the trunk. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

"Mom! Mom!!!"

Winter struggled when she saw her mother hurt and bit Hughie viciously.

He felt it, but Winter's struggles were insignificant to a big man like him—he simply slapped her in the

face, knocking her out.

"Hmph. A little young but pretty. I guess I could have a taste," Hughie chuckled to himself as he shut

the car trunk and drove off with the rest of the Lanes.

Earlier at the Riverplex dojo, Helen was wearing a dobok that bared her sweaty cleavage, tempting Chaz to peek at her constantly.

Oblivious, Helen asked, "How's this, Chaz? Am I doing it right?"

Her seriousness only sent Chaz's juices flowing, and he thought he had complete control over this ice queen!

And with the risque dobok, Chaz felt like he would explode from lust.

No, he would have her right now!

"Chaz?"

Seeing Helen staring at him in confusion, Chaz quickly composed himself and restrained the bulge threatening to swell below his belt.

He smiled at Helen. "You're doing great, but..."