Chapter 1426:
Torin frowned. Two weeks. Too long. He couldn’t afford the wait. He declared bluntly, “I’m leaving for Klathe tomorrow.”
The doctor furrowed his brows.
“Mr. Duncan, your wound isn’t healed yet. That bullet almost claimed your life. If it reopens, the consequences could be fatal. You should stay in Avaloria and recover.”
That bullet had nearly ended Torin’s life in Yoswye. Snatched barely from death, he was already restless for action again. But the doctor dared not protest further.
Torin lowered his glass and looked upward. His eyes, razor-edged and menacing, were hard to meet head-on.
“I’m not here for your nonsense. Say one more word, and I’ll cut your tongue out.”
The doctor sighed in resignation.
“Understood, Mr. Duncan. I’ll ready your medicine.”
Only then did Torin appear appeased.
“Now get out.”
Torin withdrew a pocket watch from his coat, unveiling Elena’s photograph inside. His fingers caressed the image, a feverish fire glowing in his gaze. He was close to seeing his little rose once more.
The thought of Elena made his teeth grind, torn between desire and fury. A stabbing ache shot through his chest. That bullet from her had been meant to end him—yet fate allowed him to survive. She had been merciless toward him. Since she hadn’t managed to finish him, she would face the price.
Torin pressed the watch back against his chest and drained the wine in one fierce swallow. If Elena ever fell into his grasp again, he’d never let her escape.
Back in Klathe, Joseph kept those two men captive before meeting Zoie.
Zoie’s eyes brimmed with tears the instant she saw him.
“Joseph, you’ve finally returned. I’ve been petrified. Carola is alive—she even found the Spencer estate. She hasn’t remembered everything yet, but I fear she will.”
Ꮮ𝚊𝓽𝑒𝔰𝓉 сհ𝒂ⲣ𝔱𝖊𝓇𝓼 g𝖆ⅼ𝓷օⱱ𝖊𝗅𝘀[．]𝗰𝗼𝗺
Joseph comforted her.
“Why panic? My recent outing was to resolve it.”
Zoie stared at him in disbelief.
“You knew Carola was still alive this whole time?”
Joseph answered smoothly, “As soon as she surfaced, I ensured all who knew the old truths were under my control. Even if she recalls everything later on, she lacks evidence, and no one will take her word.”
“That mad Wesley—who knows what he might do? We can’t risk it!” Zoie fretted.
Joseph sneered.
“Stay calm. He’ll soon have heavier troubles to handle and no time for us.”
Wesley had a weakness for that Harper girl, didn’t he? If she ended up in another man’s arms, wouldn’t it drive him insane? The notion of Wesley’s anguish carved a cold grin onto Joseph’s lips.
At Joseph’s words, Zoie’s breath caught.
“Are you suggesting drugging Elena?” Zoie hesitated. Could something like that even work?
Joseph answered calmly, “She’s Wesley’s weak spot. As long as we keep her under our thumb, he won’t dare act against us.”
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