Henrik tugged at my hand with a pout,

"Really, that's what this is about? You know, Ernest here is as loyal as they come. You had no idea, did you?

", In such a tense moment, Henrik actually started chatting about this.,

"Ernest, you leave this woman, then parade another one around, thinking you can confuse me and spare her from my wrath? You really think I'm that dumb?

" His words made my heart skip a beat. I glanced at Ernest, who remained silent., Henrik, ever the chatterbox, continued,

"Girl, you probably don't know how faithful this man has been. He once had a dog, and after it passed away, he never got another. He wouldn't even look at another dog on the street. So, once he gives his love, he doesn't share it with anyone else.

", He curved his lips slightly,

"Isn't that right, Ernest?

", My throat felt constricted, like something was choking me. I understood Henrik's point; Ernest's brief split from me and his engagement to Yolande were all an act to protect me from Henrik's harm., My heart felt like it was being hammered. I looked at Ernest, waiting for his response., But he said nothing, just coldly stared at Henrik,

"Are you done?

",

"Done. Now it's your turn,

" Henrik grinned,

"Don't you think you owe an explanation to the lady here? Otherwise, she might get the wrong idea.

", Ernest still didn't speak, and I couldn't hold back anymore. I grabbed his hand,

"Ernest, is it... is it true, what Henrik said?

", Bang!, Before Ernest could answer, a deafening noise erupted, then chaos ensued., Insults flew, fists clashed, and gunshots rang..., Not just these sounds, but also the thumping of a heart beating next to my ear... Ernest's heart!, It was the heart rhythm I had missed so much., Bang, bang!, Followed by two more gunshots, a stern voice commanded,

"Everyone, stop!

", All noises halted, and I saw the newcomer., It was Jefferson., He held a gun to Henrik's head,

"Make a move, and I'll blow his brains out.

", I didn't know how Jefferson had, gotten so close to Henrik, but the et, saying capture the king first

", couldn't be truer. All of Henrik's men calmed down. , Yet Henrik remained unfazed,

"Ernest, resorting to such dirty tricks now?

",

"You've never played clean, so you don't deserve clean,

" Jefferson retorted, then nodded at Ernest., It was a signal for Ernest to take me and leave., But Ernest didn't move. Instead, he, tovel., said to Henrik,

"I've handed over the evidence of your crimes and match-fixing to the police. Explain that to them.

" , Henrik sneered,

"You have your man pointing a gun at me, and you think you can call the cops? Ernest, you think I'm a child?

", Ernest just scoffed at him and didn't bother responding, taking me away instead., But as we turned to leave, Henrik said,

"Ernest, you think handing me over to the police ends everything? You're mistaken.

", Ernest paused briefly but continued to lead me away with firm steps., My nerves tensed up, thinking about the mastermind Henrik mentioned.,

"Ernest,

" I began, wanting to tell him, but Conrad came over, urging us to hurry., At the, police., San straight into the officers started to enter. Col.ne, ernest exchanged a few, words with them in English, and the, However, the police stopped Ernest. He let go of me and signaled for Conrad to take me away., But I held onto him,

"Ernest, is what Henrik said true?

", Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.