?<strong>Chapter 1086:</strong>


    Gemma sniffled, her pout turning into a nod.


    Pierre chuckled and leaned into her, hisst reserves of energy depleting.


    Feeling his weight, Gemma’s cheeks turned pink. “Pierre, you’re heavy,” she said.


    Suddenly, Pierre slumped beside her on the sofa. He drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep.


    A few dayster, Talia’s father was assaulted at the casino, suffering a stomach hemorrhage thatnded him in the hospital.


    His gambling habit hade to light. He had borrowed millions over several months. Now, Talia was aware of the full extent. Disbelieving, she hurried to the hospital to confront him directly.


    But as Talia approached, she unexpectedly encountered Corey, who was already there waiting at the entrance.


    Talia was petrified of Corey. She knew his reputation as a feared organ trafficking kingpin in Terrnd, a ce notorious for its criminal underworld. She also knew that Pierre’s sister had met her end at his hands. Desperate to escape, Talia felt a bodyguard yank her hair, pulling her into the hallway.


    Corey loomed over her. “Miss kely, have we met before?”


    Trembling, Talia replied, “I don’t know you. Please let me go. My father is seriously ill with a stomach hemorrhage, and his life hangs in the bnce. I beg you, release me.”


    Corey sneered. “He’ll survive. He might even return to the poker table soon.”


    Stunned, Talia looked up. “How do you know about—?”


    “Who do you think revealed his gambling problem?” Corey cut in. “And how else would our paths have crossed so quickly?”


    Corey was a man of few words and went straight to the point. “I’ll settle your father’s debts, but first, you must tell me about your time in Terrnd and why you fear me so. There are things about Pierre you’re hiding, aren’t there?”


    Talia’splexion turned ashen. Panicking, she scrambled up the stairs, screaming for help.


    Irritated, Coreymanded his men to silence her. He pulled out his phone. “If you won’t talk, maybe Pierre will.”


    He dialed Pierre’s number, his voice menacing. “He loved you deeply once and would hate to see you suffer.”


    Talia’s eyes widened in terror. She shook her head vehemently and copsed before Corey, pleading for him to end the call. Corey crouched down, waiting for her to break her silence.


    Suddenly, Talia felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and saw blood. She copsed, ovee with despair for the child she might be losing. She had endured Nichol’s brutality to protect her father, who was battling kidney failure. But she never anticipated that her father would turn into her nightmare—a leech. Pierre had given her all his savings, hoping it would free her from her dire circumstances, only to lead her deeper into torment.


    Exhausted and in agony, Talia let out a mockingugh. Clutching her stomach, she struggled to her feet. She whispered, her voice weak, “Mr. Hampton, may I have some time to see my father? After that, I promise to tell you everything.”


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