Chapter 306
Her eyes gleamed with malice. “You’re like an ant beneath my shoe. I could crush you today and nobody would care enough to save you.”
Looking at her fleshy, arrogant face, I suddenly understood something: Billy’s fight with her son probably wasn’t a simple children’s scuffle at all.
I quickly regained my composure, meeting her gaze coldly.
“Since you know about my relationship with Henry, you should also know we’re still legally married,” I replied calmly. “If Henry decides to target your family, you wouldn’t even be able to stay in New York.”
I’d expected my mention of the Harding name to at least give her pause. Instead, she burst into mocking laughter.
“You think the Harding family is still the untouchable powerhouse it once was?” She leaned forward, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Let me tell you something–Harding Investment is collapsing. Their stock is plummeting, their cash flow has dried up. They’ll be lucky to survive the month.”
I frowned, unsure whether to believe her. Seeing my doubt, she laughed even louder.
“Don’t believe me? When was the last time your father–in–law got a full night’s sleep at home? Or your husband–when did he last make time for you?”
Her eyes narrowed with malicious glee. “Weren’t you planning to report him for drugging and assaulting you? Go ahead! If you win that case, the Harding family is finished for good. We’re all waiting for that day!”
I fell into deep thought. As much as I hated to admit it, there had been signs.
Richard hadn’t been seen for weeks. Even in his hospital bed, Henry had been constantly reviewing documents, his brow perpetually furrowed with concern.
Could she be telling the truth?
I looked at her impassive face and asked flatly: “Why should I believe anything you say?”
“Whether I’m telling the truth or not, you’ll find out in about twenty days,” she replied smugly. “Meanwhile, here’s what you’ll do: kneel and beg for forgiveness, make a public apology through the media, and pay my son $1 million. Otherwise, you and your son can rot in jail!”
She stood up, straightening her designer jacket. “Henry is too busy saving his family’s empire about that while you sit here.”
I immediately refused: “That’s impossible! Don’t push me too far!”
orry about you. Think
Before I could say anything more, she was already walking away. At the doorway, she turned back with a sinister smile.
“If you kneel and apologize to me right now, I might make your stay here more comfortable.” Her smile widened at my defiant expression. “But judging by your stubbornness, that’s unlikely. So, I wish you an unforgettable experience tonight.”
With a final wink, she departed, practically skipping with satisfaction.
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Chapter 306
I didn’t know the true state of the Harding family’s finances, but she had spoken with such conviction that I wondered if there might be truth to her claims.
If the Hardings were indeed facing a crisis, how could I possibly save myself and Billy?
When I returned to our room, the female officer could tell from my face that the negotiation had failed.
“Mrs. Wilson,” she advised kindly, these people have money and influence. I really suggest you accept their terms, swallow your pride.”
She hesitated before adding, “I’ve just received orders to transfer to another position. Someone else will be watching over you.” Though she didn’t spell it out, I understood her implication perfectly.
That woman truly had the power to make things happen–having this sympathetic officer reassigned was just the first step in tonight’s planned torment.
I had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. I could only endure whatever came.
As night fell, the north wind howled outside, making the tree branches creak ominously.
Exhausted after a day and night without sleep, I had finally succumbed to slumber, curled protectively around Billy’s small body on the narrow bed, resembling a child without security.
Heavy footsteps approached from outside, bringing with them an atmosphere of dread as they headed straight for our
room.
I wasn’t sleeping deeply and opened my eyes at the sound.
Four burly men appeared in our small room, wearing baseball caps pulled low over their faces.
They moved like ghosts in the darkness, silent and menacing.
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