Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 36

Sitting on the couch with his arms wrapped around a woman, a man in his forties glanced over. His body was weakened from all the drinking and debauchery, and his eyes were unfocused. He smirked and asked, “Who’s Emily Sullivan?”

Emily took a step forward and bravely met the man’s gaze “I am!”

“Noel, someone nearby said, lighting a cigarette for Noel Parks.

The flashing lights in the private room were turned off, and the lighting returned to normal. The scene inside became more apparent.

Inside the room, approximately twenty men and women were present. The men, their faces flushed from imbibing, cast provocative glances towards Estelle and Emily, harboring unsavory intentions.

Several of the women, leaning on the men, had the look in their eyes as if they were watching two lambs that had fallen into a wolf’s den.

Noel spat out a puff of smoke and leaned back on the couch with his gut sticking out. “Did you guys bring the money?”

Emily looked at Estelle.

Estelle spoke up. “I want to see Elliott Sullivan before I hand over the money.”

Noel waved his hand, and two of his men went to the bathroom in the private room. They soon brought out a man whose hands and feet were bound and mouth was muffled. The man struggled violently upon seeing

Emily.

“Elliott!” Emily shouted.

Noel rolled up his sleeves, revealing a thick gold chain, and sneered, “Hand me the money, and you can take him away!”

Estelle reached into her pocket, but instead of a bank card, she pulled out a USB drive, tossing it onto the table. Noel squinted, “What’s this?”

Estelle said calmly, “It’s the surveillance footage of your place. Your shady dealings and cheating are all crystal clear on camera. Therefore, Shawn Sullivan’s money wasn’t lost, but swindled by you, so I won’t give you a

dime!”

“Are you f***ing trying to die?” One of the men kicked Elliott, causing him to wail in pain.

“Elliott!” Emily yelled, wanting to run over and protect Elliott, but Estelle stopped her.

Noel stared at Estelle. “How did you get our surveillance footage?”

“It’s not the point.” Estelle’s voice was cold. “Bring out the IOU and let Elliott go, or I’ll call the police!”

Noel stared at Estelle, weighing his options with a sinister expression.

Time passed quickly-five minutes had already gone by. Unable to bear it any longer, the men behind Noel began urging him to make a decision.

Noel gestured for someone to bring him a bottle of liquor. They brought a bottle of white liquor, placing it on the coffee table. Noel poured two glasses of liquor.

“There’s no way I’m just letting them go. What kind of message does that send? How can my bros and I continue operating like this? So here’s the deal,” Noel pushed two glasses of liquor forward. “Each of you girls drinks a glass of this, and then I’ll let him go!”

The glasses weren’t large. Emily immediately volunteered, “I’ll drink it!”

Estelle stopped her, looking at Noel. “I’ll drink it for both of us, but you let them go first.”

Noel observed Estelle closely. Despite her youth and striking beauty, her eyes carried a depth that spoke of -witnessing life’s ugliness and cruelty. She seemed more mature and experienced than an average girl her age.

A grin spread across Noel’s face, causing the weathered skin beneath his eyes to tremble. With a sneer, he tore up the IOU and commanded his men to release Elliott.

Emily ran over and helped her brother up, but neither of them was willing to leave just yet. “Ella, I’ll drink it. Let’s leave together!”