Chapter 40 Jocelyn drew a slow breath , her lips curling into a cruel smile . " Amber ," she purred , " you'll always be my good girl , won't you ? " Amber nodded quickly , her eyes downcast . A wicked thought flashed through Jocelyn's mind . ' Sienna , let's wait and see . ' The mere thought of Sienna set jealous fire raging through Jocelyn's veins . ' Damn you , Sienna . You should've stayed dead . Her pretty face contorted with the ugly emotion . " Amber, " she said icily , " get me a chocolate cake from East Street . Now . " Amber's face lit up . " I'll go right now , " she chirped . That bright smile was too much . Jocelyn forced a pleasant expression while seething inside . Smack ! Jocelyn's palm cracked across Amber's cheek , sending her sprawling . Before Amber could gasp , Jocelyn seized her by the hair and hauled her upright , snarling , " How many times must I tell you ? No smiling . What kind of girl grins like an idiot ? Looking for male attention ? " Trembling violently , Amber crumpled into a tight ball . " Sorry , Jocelyn . No more smiling , I swear . Please stop . " she begged , arms raised to shield her face . Jocelyn released her , dark satisfaction surging through her . With deliberate slowness , she knelt and stroked Amber's reddened cheek , only to dig her nails in when Amber whimpered . " Darling , I hate hurting you , " Jocelyn crooned . " But those filthy men will think you're easy prey if you keep smiling . They'll take advantage . I'm only protecting you . " She crushed Amber in a smothering hug , whispering wetly near her ear , " You know I love you best , don't you ? " Amber sniffled , " You're right , Jocelyn . Everything you do is for my good . I'll obey . No more smiles . " Her voice cracked like stepped - on twigs . " Good girl . " Jocelyn held out a crumpled bill . " Take this and buy my cake . Keep the change for water if you're thirsty . " " Thank you , Jocelyn . I'll be back soon . " Amber hastily wiped her tears and clutched the money . As Amber scampered off gratefully , Jocelyn's gaze slid to the clock . ' Eleven o'clock . Run along , little lamb . ' Amber hurried down the shadowy alley , the crumpled bill clutched in her sweaty hand . ' Chocolate cake . Keep going . One hour left . Gotta get it for Jocelyn . ' Then out of nowhere , several thugs appeared , surrounding her with leering grins . Amber stumbled back in terror . She needed to call the police , but Jocelyn had taken her phone long ago , claiming it would distract her from her studies . " Hey sweetheart , " the first thug crooned , blocking her path , " why rush ? Let us walk you home . We'll keep you real safe . " " What's wrong ? Scared ? " Another voice rasped from behind . " Don't worry , we'll play nice . Just tell us where you live . " Their voices oozed like sludge from a dumpster . When Amber turned to run , a beefy arm blocked her way . " Running away ? That's rude , " the lead man said , spreading his arms . " Kids shouldn't walk alone . Let us take you home . " When the man moved to grab her , Amber screamed at the top of her lungs , " Stay back ! I'll call the police ! My sister will hear about this . " " Listen up ! She's got a sister , " the man sneered to his buddies . " Why don't you call her over ? More girls , more fun ." He took another step toward Amber . " Get away ! " Amber screamed , stumbling backward as her hands flew up in defense . Her heart pounded so hard she could barely breathe . " Help me ! Somebody ! " Her voice cracked with terror as she frantically scanned the empty street . " Keep screaming ," the man chuckled darkly . " Nobody comes here this late . " Desperate , Amber clenched the money in her fist , still thinking about Jocelyn's chocolate cake . " Bullying girls when I'm around ? How dare you ! " A cool voice cut through the air . The thugs spun toward the sound . There stood another girl in a black skirt and a white jacket . Her sweet face was a stark contrast to the ice in her glare . " Hey look , another girl . " But a sickening crack cut off the thug's words as his wrist bent the wrong way . Before his buddies could blink , the girl became a 1/2 MONT " 21 Chapter 40 whirlwind of violence - elbows smashing noses , knees crunching into ribs , feet sweeping legs . The first thug hit the ground with a thud , howling in pain . The others stumbled over each other in their panic to escape , dark stains spreading down their pants . " Pathetic . " Reno sneered at the fleeing thugs , then turned to Amber with sudden gentleness , offering a lollipop . " Here , sweetheart . Sugar helps after a scare . " Amber shook her head like a rattled rabbit , arms locked around herself . Before Reno could even say " hospital " , Amber took off like a shot . Staring at her own reflection in a car window , Reno frowned . ' Do I really look that scary ? ' At the police station , Mason blankly took back his things , dazed by his luck . His three accomplices faced harsher fates . Ron and Lily were sentenced to prison , while Lily's confession painted Chloe as an innocent victim , letting her walk away . As Chloe turned to leave , Lily caught her sleeve . " Take good care of my kids , " she whispered urgently . " They're all I've got . " Chloe gave a solemn nod . Finally free , Chloe nearly cried with relief . The moment she saw Mason , she flung herself at him . " Mason , I've missed you so much ," her words tumbled out in a rush . " This was all Lily and Ron's doing . You know I was fooled too , right ? Let's go say sorry to Vivian together . She'll forgive us . " Mason shoved her away , wiping his sleeves as if she were diseased . " Get lost , liar . If I see you again , don't say I didn't warn you . " His eyes burned with barely contained rage .. Her mind blank and heart skipping a beat , Chloe desperately grabbed Mason's hand . " Mason , I'm not lying to you , " she pleaded . " Don't believe that nonsense . I truly love you . " " Get lost ," he snarled , lips twisting in a bitter laugh . " I was a damn idiot to ever believe you had a kind bone in your body . " His fingers curled into fists as the cold chuckle died in his throat . " Don't say that . " Chloe cried . " I love you so much . " But Mason ignored her , striding toward Junior Quinn Group with rage boiling in his veins . He wanted to ask Sophie why it took her so long to get him out . At the company entrance , the guard blocked Mason's way . Mason's face flushed red with rage . " Open your damn eyes ! Don't you know who I am ? " His fists trembled at his sides as veins throbbed at his temples .