Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Jerlina walked back to Jeremy's room after her meeting and he was still asleep. The doctors told her that he was one of the very few that didn't get seriously affected by an abdominal gunshot wound. Although his intestine was perforated, it didn't penetrate that deeply and he was given the perfect first aid at the right time.

His recovery would be smooth and quick – that's what they said and that made her happy.

But still, there are risks of infection and other things he has to be careful about and Jerlina decided to take care of him properly.

Mikhail has gotten her a new phone with her phone number recovered and Jerlina called Scarlett after speaking with Charlie. Charlie was the one busy working as he took care of everything in Jeremy's place.

Scarlett sounded tired. And she was speaking like she was hiding something.

"I am going the Bond route, Jerlina..."

She said and Jerlina didn't understand what she meant. She inquired about Bobby's health and Cia's well-being.

When she apologized for not being able to get to Cia, Scarlett was understanding of her. But Jerlina knew, Scarlett might be blaming her even a bit. And it is understandable.

Cia is possibly her only child and the baby suffered inhumane abuses that day. No mother would be able to bear it and the wound is still fresh and she will try to blame everything.

Jerlina understood because she did the same.

But she wished it won't cause too much of a rift between them.

Jerlina asked about what happened with Scar that day and hearing what she said made Jerlina's palm go cold out of fear.

"I am glad you are fine, Scar. Those b@stards deserve it! I hope they rot in hell for that!" Jerlina couldn't stop cursing and Scar ended up laughing.

"You don't even know many swear words, do you? You're so boring, Jerlina..."

Jerlina shook her head. She is not wrong though!

After speaking with her for some time, Jerlina called Charlie.

"Has everything done by Scarlett covered up? I know it is self-defense and all, but I don't want her answering to cops and all that, you know?" she said and Charlie didn't understand her.

Don't tell me! Scarlett didn't tell anyone?

She left her shoes in their skulls! Won't it lead back to her?

Jerlina explained what happened with Scarlett and Charlie thanked her for informing him. He also asked her to have an eye on the company and watch every single movement since he doesn't know how to handle that.

Jerlina agreed.

She knew if anyone wants to destroy Jeremy, now will be the time to do that. The next thing she did was calling the board of Fitzgerald Lumber Corp. and without any question, they handed over their authority to her.

"You're the interim chairperson," they said and Jerlina was stupefied.

Did Joel arrange for this already? Why? How?

That guy... His love has no bounds!

-----

Gordon stood before his boss now singing an old happy song.

"So, what else did she say?" he asked.

"Nothing, Sire..." Gordon bowed his head.

Jerlina Hopkins didn't say words that would make the Gransire happy and he thought it would be wise not to talk about it to him.

"I know she did, Gordon. Don't hide it and tell me."

Jonathan Erling looked at Gordon and his eyes were serious. He looked like the wise king that he used to be before his age got to him.

Gordon took in a deep breath and repeated everything Jerlina said without missing a word.

"So Alexander already told her everything... " Jonathan's face got sad for a moment.

"But this is good!" his spirit got raised. "Now that she knows everything I don't have to fear she will find out about the real me in the future. She looks kind. I can ask for her forgiveness..."

Forgiveness? The grandsire is going to ask for forgiveness from someone who is not even third his age?

"What else did she say?" the grandsire asked.

Gordon told him about her refusal to be acknowledged as an Erling and how Alexander mocked him for not having principles.

"Alexander, huh?" the grandsire laughed. "I could have squashed him like a bug, but I couldn't, knowing that one day he will lead me to my Anni's and mine last grandchild! He did, didn't he? And he is right! I don't have principles! She... Edward must have raised her as a Hamilton! Those buggers! I hated them but they are someone I would trust my everything with... Isn't my child Jerlina wonderful?"

Gordon watched his boss speking like he has gotten younger twenty years, mentally. It's been a long time since he was this clear.

"Yes, Sire," Gordon was truly happy.

"And Gordon... Speaking of Hamiltons... I asked you before to settle that file with the Hamiltons. Did you finish that?" he asked and Gordon blinked.

"File with the Hamiltons? Sire, I only heard about the Hamiltons first from Lady Rose. You never mentioned the Hamiltons to me," Gordon's heart skipped a beat.

"I didn't?" Jonathan got a bit confused. "That day, long ago... in my office...if it was not you, then who was there... I told them everything..."

Gordon got everything now.

So the Grandsire talked to someone about the Hamiltons thinking that he was talking to me?

"I think who that might be, Sire," Gordon's eyes got serious. "I'll figure out who that is for sure, pretty soon. I think that set off the death threat on Lady Jerlina."

"Billions, Gordon... I have billions that belong to her... Everything of the Hamiltons with separate accounts and I saved everything I got from investing the Hamilton money... The Hamilton money always yields more profit than my own money...

It's all safe... I have to give it back, Gordon... My Anni came to me on her birthday and told me to give everything I took from the Hamiltons back to them and so I decided to do that... But...Find out who that is and bring them to me," Jonathan's eyes had a murderous glint.

Her Ladyship's birthday? Wasn't that six ~ seven months ago? Isn't that the timing so perfectly aligning with the timing of the troubles starting for Lady Jerlina?

"Yes, Sire," Gordon bowed his head.

How can someone deny the grandsire's request? Matilda, I am coming for you with proof!

"And Gordon... Didn't she talk about weapons pointed and a baby threatened..?"

"Yes, Sire. It was someone called Viper. Lady Jerlina seemed to be very hurt and angry at him."

"Who is he?"

"A drug dealer. We've dealt with him before. He'd do anything for money..." Gordon gulped.

"We've done businesss with him before?"

"Yes, and we've promised him protection from Interpol."

"Oh?" The grandsire smirked. "Good thing we don't have principles, right, Gordon?"

"Yes, Sire," he bowed his head. "I'll bring him to you."

"Yes, before she visits me. Alive."

"Yes, Sire," Gordon smiled.