A Life Debt Repaid

Chapter 9

I heard you spent the whole day at Levine Ventures. You must’ve had a pleasant meeting with John Levine, right?” Noel asked fawningly.Kyle’s expression darkened as Noel continued. “I’m going to have dinner with Mandy. Would you like to join us, or are you eating with Mr. Levine?”“I’m fine. You girls enjoy yourself.”He certainly was not going to tell Noel he was not even allowed to meet John, and that he was not in the mood to hang out with them.Still, Noel was sharp enough to notice. “What’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?”“No, I’m just a little tired. I’m thinking about going home soon to sleep.”“Alright, have a good night.” Noel appeared to care enough. “By the way, what does Mr. Levine look like? Is he like one of those middle-aged men with dad bods?”“No, but his looks are average,” Kyle critiqued.“I guess.” Noel giggled. “Alright, I won’t keep you, Kyle. I’m arriving at the restaurant soon.”Kyle, however, was left glowering after hanging up.Cordy had already left him infuriated in the morning, and now John humiliated him.He was shaking even as he tried to restrain his temper!…Over at North Garden, Cordy was planning to order takeout for the night when her phone started to ring.It was the number from this morning—it was not hard to remember it when the number 8 was all over the screen.Taking a deep breath, Cordy refreshed his memory, having planned how to reject the man’s invitation.“Mommy!”However, when Richard’s chipper voice exclaimed from the other end, Cordy’s words were left stuck in his throat.At the same time, Richard continued excitedly, “I missed you so much, Mommy. Daddy and I are coming to pick you up for dinner. We’ll be there in ten!”Cordy was speechless.John was certainly cunning!…Eventually, Cordy limped out to the entrance of the apartment block on her crutches, where John was leaning against his all-too-conspicuous Maybach, somehow more eye-catching than the car.She could already see a crowd around him. Men, women, young, and old—they were all staring at him, but he ignored them. In fact, his gaze finally showed focus when he saw her, and he strode toward her and took away her crutches.While Cordy frowned, he scooped her up in his arms the next instant and headed toward the car.It drew even more stares, but Cordy took a deep breath and decided to give her silent assent.When they got in the car, Richard