“She asked if there are any methods or devices to test the number of s.e.x.u.a.l partners a woman has had,” Dr. Walters responds.
Waylen’s look sharpens, and he seems to straighten in his chair.
“Is Leilani trying to prove her innocence?” he wonders, “Or is this just another little trick she’s concocted knowing that Dr. Walters will report back to me?”
“Are there any?” Waylen asks, leaning back in the chair.
“I believe it can be tested through s.p.e.r.m antigens,” Dr. Walters responds, “But I’m not very familiar with the methods. I gave her the business card for this clinic.”
He hands Waylen another business card. Waylen takes it and seems to study it intently.
“Maybe Mrs. Bamford doesn’t expect—” Dr. Walters begins.
Before he can finish his sentence, Waylen glares at him with such ferocity he falls silent. The two men face each other, staring across Waylen’s desk. The loud, rapid sound of gunfire interrupts them. Someone is shooting a gun right outside the window.
Waylen leaps up from his chair and looks curiously out the window. Wearing bullet-proof vests and earplugs, Leilani stands on the green lawn. She holds a pistol in one hand and aims at a target that is shaped like a man. There are already several holes in the paper target. She seems to be aiming for the heart.
Waylen approaches her quietly. She’s wearing black leather leggings, black gloves, and transparent goggles. Waylen never realized a woman could look so cool. As he approaches, he gives a slow round of applause.
“I didn’t realize you know how to shoot,” he says.
“I don’t,” Leilani replies.
She closes her right eye and pulls the trigger, but the shot goes wide, and she misses the target entirely.
“Do you want to learn?” Waylen asks.
“Is this any of your business?” she snaps.
She does want to learn, but she’s reluctant to accept his help. Out of spite, he’s called off the search squad looking for Gabrielle. Leilani knows that if Waylen refuses to help find Gabrielle, she’ll have to rely on herself. Shooting practice seems like a necessary precaution.
“If I have access to a gun when I find Andrew, I’ll shoot him in the heart without a second of hesitation,” Leilani thinks, “It’s just a pity my shots are so inaccurate.”
“Do you want me to teach you or not?” Waylen asks.
He approaches her, and she spins around and aims the gun at him.
“Mrs. Bamford!” Robert gasps in horror.
“I don’t need your help,” she snarls, “Get away from me!”
Waylen slows down, but he doesn’t stop. He walks slowly and stares intently into her eyes. Leilani removes the safety and c.o.c.ks the gun.
“I’ll shoot if you come any nearer,” she threatens.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Waylen smirks, “You’re sweating with nerves.”
It’s true. Leilani’s forehead has a light sheen of sweat, and her pals have started to go clammy inside the gloves. She wants to step away, but she refuses to back down. Images of him and Leonie on the bed flashed through her mind. She knows Waylen didn’t have a choice, but the thought of them making love makes her sick to her stomach. She can’t bear to have him near her.
Leilani takes a deep breath and steps toward Waylen. There’s less than a meter between them. If she pulls the trigger, she’ll be shooting him at point-blank range.
“I don’t need to be good at aiming now,” Leilani whispers, “If I pull the trigger, the bullet will go right through your heart.”
“Mrs. Bamford, don’t!” Robert shouts.
“You want me dead this badly?” Waylen asks.
He stops walking and studies her icy expression. He can’t read her at all.
“I dream about it every day,” she hisses.
“So, you can get together with Andrew without any hindrance?” Waylen asks bitterly.
“I thought I didn’t need you dead to get together with him,” Leilani responds acidly.
Waylen lowers his head and smiles ironically. He knows that Leilani is trying to be hurtful, but her words still sting. He looks deep into her eyes and steps forward.
“Fire!” he commands.
“You think I won’t?” she asks.
Waylen inclines his head toward her pistol.
“Change her gun,” he orders.
Before she can understand what he’s talking about, he reaches forward and grabs the pistol from her hands. With a swift motion, he opens the chamber. Leilani glares at him.
“You can’t shoot me without bullets,” he says, “I’ve asked them to get you a gun that’s actually loaded.”
The gun is empty. She’s already shot all of her ammunition at the target. She can’t believe Waylen realized.
“Sir, are you sure that’s a good idea?” Robert objects, worried that Leilani will actually shoot Waylen if given a chance.
Waylen ignores Robert’s concerns. He gestures to the bodyguards, and they bring him a beautiful wooden box. Waylen opens the box and reveals a delicate silver pistol with a beautiful engraving on the grip. It’s no larger than a keychain.
“Is this a joke?” Leilani thinks.
Robert observes Leilani’s doubtful look.
“Mrs. Bamford, don’t underestimate this one,” Robert explains, “It’s the smallest pistol in the world—it’s only 5.5cm long. But it is also one of the most powerful. Bullets fired from this gun can reach speeds up to 434 kilometers per hour. It cost three million dollars.”
“Do you know how to use it?” Waylen asks, passing Leilani the gun, “I can show you first if you like.”
Leilani aims at Waylen again.
“I know that if I shoot you, you’ll drop dead,” Leilani snaps back.
Waylen gives Leilani an in-depth, searching look.
“If you could bear to do that, then go ahead,” he says casually.
“Mrs. Bamford, this pistol is not for fun,” Robert warns.
Robert is drenched in a nervous sweat. He’s recently witnessed many power struggles between Leilani and Waylen, and he knows that they often end in injury for his boss. He’s terrified that Leilani may actually shoot, and he has no idea how to stop her.
“I’m not here to have fun,” Leilani retorts.
With a graceful gesture, she points the gun at Robert and then the bodyguards, forcing them to back away. Then she returns her focus to Waylen.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Waylen says with determination, “You don’t want me to die; you can’t bear the thought of it. That’s why you didn’t load any bullets.”
Waylen is confident that she won’t hurt him, and this confidence fills him with overwhelming joy.
“It’s odd that I genuinely care about her and want her to care for me. Even after she’s betrayed and deceived me,” he thinks, “I think I could forgive her for everything she’s ever done if she told me she cared for me.”
“We both know I would dare to do a lot of things,” Leilani replies, “I think you’re scared and trying to bluff your way out of this.”
Waylen smiles, “How about we make a bet?”
Leilani raises her eyebrows.
“I’ll be your target,” Waylen says, “If you shoot me, you have to tell me why you wanted the clinic’s business card.”
He’s hoping Leilani will tell him what he wants to hear; he’s hoping she wants to prove that the child is his and convince him that she’s never been with anyone else. He’s half ready to grab her and drive her to the clinic himself. If he finds out that the child is his, he won’t ever let her go.
Leilani takes a look at the business card in Waylen’s hand. She knew Dr. Walters would report to Waylen, but she didn’t expect him to be so fast. She nods her agreement to the bet.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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