Turning Of The Tide

Chapter 21

The light streamed through the window, casting its brilliant glow upon Sherri’s eyes, too intense to bear. She winced and squinted. Her head felt as though it were encased in a dense cloud of cotton, causing her great discomfort.

Extending her arms in a languid stretch, she arched her back lazily, emitting a hearty yawn, and opened her eyes, only to be struck with the scene in front of her.

“Oh, shit…” she thought. “Where am I now?”

The surroundings and the furnishings of the room were unfamiliar. It was clearly not her own room.

Her mind reeled in confusion.

“Could it be possible that last night I have been taken away by a strange man, and then…”

Thinking of this, Sherri immediately threw back the covers to inspect the lower half of her body. After ensuring there was nothing wrong and finding her clothes unchanged from the day before, she breathed a sight of relief!

Involuntarily, she instinctively patted her chest.

She attempted to make a sound, but her cheeks were so sore that articulating even a single word proved difficult.

Surveying her surroundings, her gaze collided with an array of vibrant balloons, triggering a fuzzy recollection that played out hazily in her mind. She shook her head and slowly recalled a night of drunken madness. And she even kept blowing balloons all night!

“Oh my, this was not true!” Sherri couldn’t believe it. She yearned to disappear from this world!

While soothing her aching, swollen cheeks, she contemplated her next

move.

Sherri was well aware of her proclivity for drunken madness. To dissuade her from getting drunk outside and being obstreperous at home, Edward had purposely captured her intoxicated state on video as a stern warning

(Zapter 2:

Every time she contemplated indulging, she would watch the playback of

that video first.

Upon viewing it, any desire to drink dissipated, replaced only by an overpowering sense of shame that made her want to crawl into a hole.

and never come out.

Anyway, the most important thing was to get out of here first.

Swiftly rising from the bed, she tidied her attire and prepared to make her stealthy escape. Just as she tiptoed toward the front door, a voice of deep and low magnetism from the living room halted her in her tracks. “Is this how you conduct yourself, Miss Landor? Sneaking away without uttering a word of gratitude?”

feigned serenity. Straightening her stiff back, she gracefully turned. around, came back to the living room, and said to Hackett with a smile plastered on her face, “What a fortuitous encounter, Mr. Blackwell.”

concealed beneath his gaze. “Encounter? This

how could I get so drunk that I followed this playboy

a mischievous. grin, feigning indifference to her embarrassment. “Well, thank you for taking care of me last night, Mr. Blackwell. I must return to work now. See you next time!” She longed

her drunken escapades from the previous night had

only wanted to make at

let her go that easily. After all, she had caused

in the afternoon, Miss Landor. You’re not scheduled at this time. And last night, Miss Landor, you were quite drunk…”

10:22

Chapter 21

knew exactly what she looked like

fault… I crossed the line. I was just indulging in a bit of alcohol. Can we just put it behind us? Just tell me what to

let’s first talk about the cost of the 500 balloons I bought for you. Since I’ve bought those balloons especially for you, I have to increase the price a bit. As for the expenses incurred from taking care of you last night, we’ll

500 balloons?” Sherri’s voice rose abruptly, and a sharp pain flushed her cheeks, reminding her once

night, Miss Landor. Sherri was rendered speechless. No wonder her

been to ask for 500 balloons last night? Could it be that this scoundrel was making a

about what Hackett said, but it was true that she would go crazy after drinking.

your before you blew up 500 balloons. Otherwise, you may have facial paralysis today. But it still surprised me that you actually blew up

forced Frank to buy the balloons, but unexpectedly, once Sherri saw the balloons, she would focus on blowing them

blown up 250 balloons, but he also

Chapter 21

actually stayed up all night with her, tying up balloons until

eyes and took a bite of her lip

so generous, Miss Landor. Could I text you on WhatsApp? It’ll be easier for us to communicate and handle follow-up questions.”

didn’t want to have any further contact

and

her the price. Instead, he said with a smile, “Actually, there’s another way to

have something to say, say it. Don’t beat around the bush.” Sherri’s cheeks were so sour that she didn’t

happened last night will only be a

she refused without hesitation. “No, don’t even think

I look like someone who is short on money to you?”

him, the son of the real estate tycoon in Athana,

water. Even a million dollars were nothing

“I recorded everything that happened last night, Miss Landor. That was really

eyes wide, having an impulse to pounce on him and tear him apart like a wolf, but Hackett had got something on her, and she could only manage to hold back her anger.

Chapter 21