Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 1085

Juniper, who had gone back to casually snacking on the sofa, slightly furrowed her brows.

What kind of delusional garbage was he spewing? If they had actually suffered any real losses tonight, did he honestly think he and his daughter would still have the breath in their lungs to stand here arguing?

"Actually, yes." Shanley popped a piece of tangerine into Juniper's mouth, his tone completely nonchalant. "I want this to be as ugly and humiliating as humanly possible."

Barnaby was left utterly speechless.

"Furthermore," Shanley added, the lazy smirk fading into something dark and dangerous. "You claim you're friends with my parents? You're not worthy."

Barnaby stood in silence for a tense moment, forcefully swallowing his pride. "Fine. Sheryl made a terrible mistake, and I apologize on her behalf. Mr. Schwartz, please, be the bigger man here. Let her go."

He knew exactly how Shanley operated. If you crossed him, your life was over. To save his daughter from absolute ruin, Barnaby had no choice but to swallow his dignity and beg.

"Who exactly are you apologizing to?" Shanley lifted his gaze, taking a pristine napkin and gently wiping Juniper's fingers. His low, gravelly voice sent a collective shiver down the spines of everyone in the room.

Barnaby and Sheryl exchanged a panicked look before slowly turning their attention to Juniper. Sheryl bit her lip, resentment burning brightly in her eyes.

"Apologize to Ms. Payne," Barnaby hissed through clenched teeth, forcefully shoving his daughter forward. "Do it now, or do you want to rot in prison?"

The word *prison* shattered Sheryl's stubbornness. She stared at Juniper, warring with her own pride for several agonizing seconds before finally whispering, "I'm sorry, Ms. Payne."

"Yes, we are terribly sorry, Ms. Payne," Barnaby chimed in, forcing a sickeningly sweet smile. "She had a momentary lapse in judgment. Please, find it in your heart to forgive her this once."

Juniper simply stared at them, her expression unreadable and completely silent.

Assuming the silence meant victory, Barnaby grabbed Sheryl's arm and turned to leave.

"Hold on." They hadn't even taken two steps before Juniper's voice stopped them dead. "What did she just say? I don't think I heard her."

"I said I'm sorry!" Sheryl whipped around, her face twisting in pure rage. "I already apologized! What more do you want from me?"

"You are not taking my daughter anywhere," Barnaby growled, pulling Sheryl behind him like a shield. "I'm calling my lawyers."

"Mr. Yardley, you are well within your rights to seek legal counsel," the lead officer stated with practiced calm. "However, you might want to call two of them."

*Two?* The crowd exchanged confused murmurs until the officer continued.

"Mr. Yardley, we received a tip-off backed by substantial evidence regarding your involvement in massive tax evasion, bribing public officials, and falsifying corporate bidding materials..."

The list of charges was so long the officer actually had to pause for breath.

"Therefore," the officer concluded, his face an emotionless mask, "we aren't just arresting Sheryl Yardley tonight. You're coming with us too."

Barnaby froze, looking as though he'd been struck by lightning. Behind him, Sheryl looked like she was about to faint.