Chapter 423
Chapter 423:
Lucian descended the stairs, his eyes locked on his manager.
He didn’t run. He stalked.
Zeke backed away, hands raised, but the damning evidence—the diamond—was still tight in his sweaty palm.
“Boss, she’s lying!” Zeke stammered. “She offered it p>
“Open your hand,” Lucian commanded, stopping inches from him.
Zeke trembled as he slowly uncurling his fingers. The diamond caught the sunlight, a sparkling accusation.
Lucian didn’t ask for an explanation.
He struck.
A backhanded blow that sent Zeke crashing to the deck, blood spraying from his lip.
“Thief,” Lucian spat, adjusting his cuff. “You dare touch what is mine p>
The scene on the deck dissolved into organized brutality. Zeke was dragged to a heavy steel chair bolted near the stern, zip ties biting into his wrists. His face was already swelling, one eye shutting rapidly.
Lucian stood before him, methodically rolling up the sleeves of his white linen shirt. He removed his gold watch and handed it to a guard. It was a ritual Skye had seen in business meetings, usually preceding a hostile takeover. Here, it preceded physical dismantling.
Skye stood near the cabin wall, clutching her left arm. She needed to sell the lie completely. While Lucian’s back was turned, she had dug her fingernails into the soft flesh of her inner arm, creating angry red welts that looked like the aftermath of a struggle.
“My arm…” she whimpered, letting a sob escape.
Lucian turned immediately, his focus shifting from punishment to possession. He crossed the deck to her, inspecting the marks. His eyes darkened, pupils dilating with rage.
“He marked you,” Lucian whispered, tracing the red skin. “He damaged the merchandise p>
“I want to stay,” Skye said, her voice hard despite the tears. “I want to watch p>
Lucian smiled—a chilling expression that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Good. Watch and learn what happens to those who covet what belongs to me p>
He walked back to Zeke. He didn’t pick up a weapon immediately. He simply looked at the man.
“Boss, please,” Zeke begged, spitting blood. “I’ve been loyal for five years p>
𝖠𝘭𝗹 𝘺o𝘂𝘳 𝖿а𝘷𝗼rit𝖾 𝗴𝘦n𝗋𝘦𝘴 𝗼𝗇 𝗯𝖾lո𝘰𝘃е𝘭𝘴.𝗰o𝘮
“Loyalty is binary, Zeke. It is a one or a zero. You are a zero p>
Lucian reached into a nearby toolbox and pulled out a heavy red-handled pipe wrench. He weighed it in his hand.
“No…” Zeke’s eyes widened.
Lucian swung.
The wrench connected with Zeke’s kneecap with a sickening crunch that sounded like celery snapping, amplified tenfold.
Zeke’s scream tore through the air, high and ragged. Seabirds scattered from the rigging.
Skye flinched, her stomach churning violently. She had caused this. She had orchestrated a man’s torture to get a tracker. But she forced herself to keep her eyes open.
If she looked away, Lucian would sense her guilt.
She had to be the victim—the vengeful queen demanding retribution.
“Liar,” Lucian said calmly, swinging again.
The other knee.
Zeke slumped in the chair, unconscious from the pain.
The silence that followed was heavier than the screaming.
Lucian dropped the wrench. It clattered on the deck, slick with blood.
“Clean this up,” Lucian ordered the guards, wiping a speck of blood from his cheek with a handkerchief. “And throw him overboard. The sharks are hungry p>