Ste stopped in her tracks, staring at him in disbelief.


    "What did you just say?"


    Haynes gave her a crooked smile. "You suddenly changed your mind, refused to give me Rachel''s medication, then turned around and demanded money from me -and on top of that, you deliberately made things difficult for Rachel over something trivial..."


    He arched an eyebrow. "Ste, are you sure you''re not just doing all this to get my attention?"


    Ste couldn''t help butugh. "Haynes, your ego honestly knows no bounds. Not everyone is desperate enough to pick up what someone else has thrown away. If she doesn''t find it disgusting, I certainly do."


    Her words wiped the smile from both Haynes and Rachel''s faces.


    Ste recalled the hefty bank transfer she''d just received, and without another word, tossed the life-saving medication to Haynes.


    "I keep my promises. That''s the full first round of treatment. If she doesn''t take it and things get worse, don''te ming me."


    With that, Ste shook off Haynes''s grip on her wrist and turned to go.


    But Haynes blocked her way again. "You haven''t apologized to Rachel yet."


    She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement.


    "I''m not apologizing. What are you going to do about it?"


    Haynes''s expression darkened, but before he could retort, Ste spoke again.


    "Oh, and by the way, don''t forget-Ms. Pearce''s remaining medication is still with me. Make me angry, and it might just disappear for good."


    She met Haynes''s gaze, her tone sweet as honey, yet there was an unmistakable edge in her words.


    "You''re the ones who need something from me-not the other way around. So don''t act so high and mighty in front of me."


    Her smile faded, reced by a cial coldness.


    "If you think making her kneel is bad, try crossing me again. I''ll make you kneel. I''d really like to see which matters more to you-your pride, or Rachel''s life."


    Ste shoved past Haynes and strode away.


    This time, Haynes just watched her go, stunned, making no move to stop her.


    Mr. Burton hadn''t expected Rachel to be so vicious-she''d even dared to poison


    someone.


    He couldn''t stay calm anymore; there was no way he''d let this walking time bomb stay a minute longer.


    It was thest day anyway, so Mr. Burton wasted no time in throwing Rachel out. Under Haynes''s watchful eye, Rachel took the medicine-no argument.


    Seeing that she''d finally been kicked out, Rachel didn''t look the least bit upset. In fact, she grinned triumphantly.


    "Well, since Mr. Burton doesn''t need my help anymore, I''ll be on my way. If you ever need anything else, you know where to find me. If I have the time, I might just drop by," she said, sweet as poison.


    Mr. Burton was so furious his mustache practically bristled. "You wicked girl! How did you get so heartless?"


    Rachel pretended innocence. "I''m afraid I don''t know what you''re talking about, Mr. Burton."


    Her words sounded guileless, but the taunting smirk on her lips gave her away.


    What was there to fear? An old man with no power, and a housewife who hadn''t worked in five years-neither of them could touch her. Even if theyined to Haynes, he wouldn''t believe them.


    Ste watched Rachel''s smug expression and, instead of being angry, she actuallyughed.


    "Ms. Pearce, is it really something to be proud of, groveling and pping yourself, throwing your dignity away?"


    She paused, then added, “Oh, I get it. Ms. Pearce gave up her self-respect a long time ago. A little groveling is nothing-if someone asked you to eat dirt, you''d probably do it with a smile."


    Rachel''s face froze, resentment shing in her eyes.


    "You-"


    She turned away, spotting Haynes outside on his phone, and her smile returned, sly and victorious.