"Aspen is pregnant, she's not working, and neither is Jeffrey. I don’t know what to do; everything’s gone. Please, sir, at least let Jeffrey work again,” Francesca pleaded.

“I can’t bring Jeffrey back to work at Texco because your daughter already caused trouble there. Besides, Texco belongs to Hannah, not me,” Alden said.

Francesca knelt. “I will do anything. But please, forgive me and my daughter. I will crawl and beg Hannah for forgiveness if she demands it. But don’t torment us like this.”

“Torment? We haven’t done anything to you.”

Francesca’s sobbing grew louder. Alden exhaled deeply.

“Please, don’t do this, Mrs. Sears,” Alden said.

“Please, I’ll keep kneeling…”...