Chapter 1520:
Her blood iced over, the chill flooding her chest until her bones ached. A shrill ringing swallowed the world; the horns, the chatter, the shuffle of the street dissolved. Only one sound haunted her—the cleaver striking bone, reverberating inside her skull.
She forced her trembling lungs to slow. Losing control here, before this parasite, would destroy her.
Maddox’s features twisted with cruel delight as he lunged for Charlette’s handbag. His voice dripped with venom.
“What an ungrateful daughter you are! You drown yourself in luxury while I rot. Hand over the cash!”
He had already sniffed around, discovering that this company brought in real profit. To him, that meant Charlette had stacks tucked away. A night of gambling called to him; after years shackled in prison, he was ravenous to indulge again.
But then—his body froze mid-motion.
A dagger gleamed between them, the blade pressed firmly to his chest. Charlette’s voice was steady, merciless.
“Let go.”
His hands rose in surrender.
Biting against the copper tang of blood at the back of her throat, she ground out two words, each sharp as steel.
“Get lost.”
Elena had lingered nearby, waiting for Charlette to finish before stepping forward. But the instant she saw Maddox claw at Charlette’s handbag, instinct propelled her across the distance. Maddox caught sight of Elena’s approach. Realizing he had lost, he spat a curse and slunk away.
Elena came beside Charlette, her tone gentle.
“Do you need help?”
Charlette’s lashes lowered, veiling the storm in her gaze.
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: 𝖌𝖆𝗅𝗇𝗈𝖛𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗈𝗆
“No.”
Charlette pivoted to leave, but Elena’s voice halted her.
Charlette paused, back still turned.
Elena slipped a band-aid into her palm.
“Your hand—it’s bleeding.”
Charlette blinked, finally noticing crimson droplets streaking from her finger, sliced when she’d raised the knife against Maddox. She hadn’t even felt it. Had Elena seen the whole confrontation between her and her father?
Charlette’s eyes lifted, meeting Elena’s calm, unwavering stare. Slowly, the storm within her chest softened.
“Thank you. You’re here for Wesley, aren’t you? He’s not around today.”
Elena had actually come for Charlette, but Charlette’s brittle state left no room for words. She went along with it.
“Perhaps he’s over at the Spencer Group. I’ll head there now.”
Elena turned away. Only then did Charlette’s ribs loosen, her breath easing.
That evening, on her walk home from work, the prickling weight of pursuit shadowed Charlette’s steps.
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Message from Noa: Have a beautiful morning lovely readers. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (=◡=) /
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