"What did you say? That''s impossible!"


    Amber''s eyes widened in panic. She struggled fiercely against Carl''s grip, pummeling his chest with her fists, but it was futile. "That''s nonsense! You''re lying!" "Amber... Amber..."


    Unfazed by her resistance, Carl stared at her with unfocused eyes, breathing heavily. "Why would I lie? My feelings for you are genuine. I''ve never lied to you." "Look at me! I have Alyssa Taylor''s face! Why would Mr. Schmidt allow me to marry you?" Amber was on the verge of hysteria. "I don''t want to marry you! I don''t!" Carl''s re intensified as he roared, "Who then? Axel Whitaker?" His eyes were bloodshot.


    Amber''s body stiffened in his arms, a sharp pang shooting through her heart.


    Carl grabbed her chin forcefully, squeezing so hard it felt like it would break. "Mr. Schmidt has had his fun with you. You''re also a woman who looks exactly like Axel''s sister. Do you think he truly desires you? Can he?


    "He''s Mr. Taylor''s son, a man of high standing and influence. I''m sure he''s seen his fair share of beautiful women. Women who would pay to be in his bed, to be his wife. He wouldn''t even need to spend a dime!"


    Carl''s words were a knife twisting in Amber''s gut. "He was momentarily interested. Perhaps he pitied your beauty and despair. As someone of high status, he merely sympathized with a lowly person like you! "I''m the one who truly loves you! If I hadn''t vouched for you to Mr. Schmidt and secretly protected you, he would''ve gotten rid of you a long time ago. Don''t you know that?"


    An image of Axel''s watchful, captivating eyes shed in Amber''s mind.


    A lump formed in her throat, choking back any words. Tears streamed down her sunken cheeks, a picture of utter despair.


    "Chief Novak was arrested out of the blue. You were the one who provided the evidence, weren''t you?"


    With a menacing re, Carl''s voice dropped as he continued to interrogate her. "Wesley was the one who gathered the evidence against Chief Novak, correct?" Amber shuddered, her face draining of color.


    "Due to his monitoring of Chief Novak and me, I was able to catch him in the act. That''s how he ended up like that.


    "After he died, had people scour hisputer, phone, hard drives, and his room. But they found nothing. He was cleverer than I thought. He must have hidden the evidence somewhere I wouldn''t look. b underestimated him."


    Carl fumed, his anger fueled by his own carelessness that led to their current situation. He almost wished he could bring Wesley back just to kill him again. "Tell me, how did he get the evidence to you? Tell me! Speak!"


    Suddenly, Amber burst intoughter, a chilling sound against the backdrop of her tear-streaked face. "What''s the point of me answering these questions?This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    "Chief Novak deserves pity too. Jameson manipted him and used him like a pawn. His bright future was sacrificed. Does he regret it now?


    "But evil deeds are evil deeds nheless. Neither he nor Jameson will escape what they deserve. If he wants to kill or punish me, then so be it!" The dam broke. Years of pent-up anger and hatred spilled forth. "Even in death, I''ll watch from above as you all fall


    Upon hearing her raw honesty, Carl was ovee with a conflicting mix of emotions. He loved and hated her simultaneously-however, his desire to possess her overpowered


    everything else.


    He leaned in to kiss her, but she fought him with all her remaining strength, refusing to be touched.


    "Don''t worry, Amber. This will be our secret. I won''t let you die. I''ll marry you, love you, and take care of you..."