While Jeremy was busy initiating his plans to shift the children safely to another safe ground, Ray was in charge of slowly diminishing the drug distribution, especially in the various bars that Charles owned.

He had been working discreetly with the police narcotics department for the past month with the help of Jin’s expertise in collecting information and reading into the situation while Uncle James' minions were the undercovers.

That night Kyle was hosting his drug parties as usual with Charles in one of Manes’ bars. Ray was in charge of the security and there, he met with a damsel, Hazel, like other girls, was in debt that she was sold into prostitution.

Ray had noticed Hazel from the very beginning of that operation as she stood out as a weakling among the other promiscuous girls. A sad and scared face but very determined eyes. He also noticed her frail self with a very pale face.

He could not help but feel disturbed by her as her eyes reminded him very much of Ivy whom he had missed so dearly. He tried to shrug his thoughts away as he knew better than to be distracted when he was on an operation.

He was about to leave the bar to step aside from the ransack when the police came only to catch sight of Hazel rushing to throw up in the washroom. A tug in his heart kept him standing outside the washroom area to wait for her though he knew the ransack was about to happen.

When Hazel finally stepped out to find Ray being alert to his surroundings as the ransack had started, she decided to just walk away to work without knowing the situation. Ray stopped her in a nick of time from going down the stairs as the police began to barge in. He quickly dragged her into the ladies’ last washroom cubicle and hid with her there as he made a quiet sign on his lips while her weary eyes studied his gaze.

He could feel she was shivering as he took off his sweater and let her have it to cover her sleeveless dress. “Put this on…” He instructed softly as she did so.

“We will escape from there.” He whispered as she shook her head.

“Why?” He asked as she let out a shuddering sigh and touched her stomach.

He then realised she was pregnant as he went out of the cubicle and locked the main door before climbing up to the window and observing the situation outside. Since they were on level one, he could make the jump but then she needed to stay on the air latches for the time being. That was when he saw the ceiling hole and lifted her up to climb in there.

“Find your way to the ground floor. I will wait for you there.” He instructed but she shook her head. She did not want to let go of his hand. He knew they were running out of time as the police were banging on the door. It was a matter of time before they shoot open the door knob. He had no choice but to climb up with her and crawl down to find their way out.

Midway, Ray heard her soft panting and knew he had to slow down. After all, they were in the air hole and the police would not search there.

“We will rest awhile.” He whispered as he made her sit in front of him while she caught her breath as he observed the police ransacking one of the rooms from the hole.

When the police finally left, he took a look at Hazel who was very pale. “Are you alright?” He asked holding on to her arms which were burning up.

She shook her head. “I… It’s painful.” She held her stomach as Ray was terrified. He knew it was a sign of miscarriage as he hurriedly tried to urge her to crawl a bit more with him to the end of the ground floor pipe hole.

He thanked his muscular self for being able to carry Hazel who was on the verge of fainting in his arms as he quickly drove and escaped the area. Since the bar was close to his grandma’s house, he had no choice but to head there as he kept her inside the glass house where he knew Ivy had always had a makeshift bed.

Hazel woke and was frightened of her unfamiliar surroundings. “Don’t worry. It’s my grandma’s place. We are in the glass house. Let me get help…” Ray assured her as she held tightly to his hand while her shaky breaths were audible.

“What’s your name?” He asked to calm her as she blinked and studied Ray from head to toe.

“Hazel…” She said wearily.

“I’m Ray. Don’t worry. I won’t report you. Are you from here? I can help you to get back to where you come from…” Ray offered but Hazel broke down and cried.

“No… Please don’t… I cannot go back anymore. My family members will all be in danger! Charles bought me into prostitution in exchange for my father’s debt… I would rather die than go back! Please don’t send me back!” Hazel exclaimed as Ray pulled her into his arms.

“Alright, I won’t. I won’t… Calm down. We don’t want people to know we are here.” He urged as she nodded.

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“You work with Master Jeremy?” She asked as he saw Jeremy’s contact on his mobile while he hesitated to give him a call. Ray nodded.

“You’re a good guy…” She cried again as Ray frowned.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as she wiped her face away.

“You must warn Master Jeremy of the kids in Dragon Island. They must be shifted elsewhere soon. There is a plan by Master Kyle and Bad Charles. They want to bomb the whole place… Master Kyle says the business there is making losses… So… that’s why I am shifted to work here.” Ray closed his eyes in shock while digesting her facts.

“How did you know all this?” Ray questioned.

“I used to take care of Master Jeremy’s sons, Jonathan and Joseph. They are safely hidden under the basement. I don’t know who is taking of them now. Joseph is still a baby…” Hazel said tearfully as Ray was trying to think.

“Where are their mothers?” He asked as Hazel began to cry again. Ray was beginning to be frightened by women who loved to cry.

“Tell me first. You need to be strong. They are dead like the other women?” He asked as she nodded and sobbed. This time he let her cry all she wanted as he sat with her rummaging over stuff by his side. He accidentally flipped the pillow around and saw the key to the house. He quickly let Hazel lay down on the makeshift bed.

“Stay here. I will find my brother to help.” He assured her as he went into the house and used the house phone to call Jin.

“Ryu, what are you doing back in Manes?” Jin asked while being surprised.

“It’s me,” Ray said as Jin became serious.

“Brother, what are you… Why?” Jin had so many questions and he did not know where to start.

“I need your help,” Ray said as he explained the entire situation and had Jin promise he would look after Hazel as he still had unfinished business.

Jin had to consult Phyllis before that on miscarriage procedures before noting them all down in detail hoping Mrs. Soh could be of help. He then quickly drove over with Cassandra to pay Mrs. Soh a visit in Manes at her store.

“Ah, my favorite couple! What are you two doing on a weekday in town? Have you been well, Ai Jin? Aww, you’re looking so skinny. Cassie, you need to feed him more.” Mrs. Soh was whining while serving them their chili noodles.

Cassandra chuckled and nodded but Jin reached out to Mrs. Soh's hand and handed her a note discreetly. Mrs. Soh wanted to question him but he winked at her as she read the note to buy the needs for wound injury and handling miscarriage of Hazel. Mrs. Soh knew they were in a difficult situation. Hence, she quickly went to shop for all the necessities and rushed back home as the couple made their way to Jin’s grandma's house.

“Brother!” Jin was overjoyed to see Ray was all sound and safe. He was getting more muscular and Cassandra was relieved that Ray was doing well. She went into the glass house to find Hazel fidgeting in her sleep while the brothers spoke.

“Aww, poor girl. I’m Cassandra. Ray’s brother's girlfriend. Don’t worry, Auntie Soh will be here soon…” Cassie comforted as Hazel nodded with her shocked eyes slowly relaxed.

Cassandra continued to help Ray wipe Hazel with the pail of warm water and a wet cloth to lower her fever.

“I was one of you too. My family was so poor… The prostitution… The death of the babies’ mothers. I know all that. I was lucky to have met my stepfather, James Ophal to save me from that fate.” Cassandra shared as it surprised Hazel with who she was involved.

Cassandra helped her wipe her tears dry. “Don’t cry. You’re in good hands now.”

“Master Jeremy’s fiancees were my friends. Jonathan’s mother was my best friend. She sacrificed herself to entrust me to keep the kids safe while she distracted the killers from chasing me down with the kids… Now, I must ensure Master Ray saves all the kids on Dragon Island. He must tell Master Jeremy to be quick!” Hazel did not hesitate much with Cassandra as she was instantly comfortable with Cassandra, knowing they came from the same background.

As Cassandra conveyed the message to the brothers, Mrs. Soh returned with all the necessities. The brothers quickly worked out things with James while the ladies helped Hazel with her medical care as they could not bring her to the hospital.

Ray could finally sigh in relief after a good two hours where the ladies were following Phyllis’ procedures. “Thank you Auntie Soh very much…” Ray said gratefully.

“It’s alright… It’s alright. Go see her. I will head home to cook some nourishing soup. I still strongly suggest for her to be arranged to seek formal medical care.” Mrs. Soh suggested as Ray nodded solemnly before heading in to check on Hazel who was much cleaner and resting tiredly.

“You two should give them space. Come to my house and rest instead.” Mrs. Soh offered as Cassandra giggled and led Jin who was confused and dense over to her house.

“Hey…” Ray called out to her gently before reaching out to hold her hand.

“Hey…” She smiled finally for the first time that night. It mesmerised Ray for a while.

“Thank you for everything…” She said while blinking away some tears as he wiped them.

“We still need to bring you to seek formal medical care… It’s for the betterment of your uterus future…” He urged as she smiled sadly.

“Who would ever want me again… I’m so torn... Dirty…” She said sadly as strangely, her words hurt Ray. Instead, Ray tried to comfort her.

“Hey, no… Hazel listen. If you had a choice you wouldn’t want to go through this. Now that you have a chance to live again after escaping, you must make good use of this chance. Don’t let the past dampen your hopes for a bright future. You must make my rescue worth it. Do you understand, Hazel?” He said with conviction which was touching to Hazel.

“Since you saved me, can I stay to serve you forever? I can do anything for you even becoming your slave…” She asked desperately as Ray silted her with his finger.

“Don’t. Don’t be this cheap. You are still human and you must gather back your dignity, Hazel.” He said sternly. He could see fear returning to her eyes as she thought he did not want her.

“Only then will I slowly consider us…” His last line was enough to comfort her as she smiled and sobbed at the same time. He was glad for once he followed his heart and was not merely for the sake of comforting her. He was still trying to understand his feelings and hence, perhaps helping her to regain her self-confidence was also an excuse for him to take the time to realise his own feelings.

She covered her eyes with her left hand in disbelief as he gently rubbed her right hand in his with his thumb and lifted her into his arms to hug her.

She eased into his chest and returned his hug tightly; grateful for a life savior and a second chance in life.