Chapter 236
Victor’s expression darkened at once. “How did you p>
Skyla let out a cold laugh.
“No wonder you hated me so much when growing up. After my mom died, you wouldn’t even look at me. Back then, I kept wondering what I had done wrong.
“I kept blaming myself, thinking maybe if I were better, you would treat me differently. Then one day, I nearly ran into you on the stairs, and you kicked me down them. You almost strangled me to death. That was when I finally understood. It was never just dislike. You hated me p>
Skyla leaned closer bit by bit. His face had already gone dark with fury, but she only smiled.
“Because I’m what was left behind after you sent her to another man’s bed. I’m not your daughter. I’m your shame p>
“That’s enough!” Victor hurled his teacup to the floor. White porcelain shattered, and tea splashed across the expensive rug.
He lunged forward and wrapped a hand around Skyla’s throat, his face twisted with rage. “You filthy little thing. Why aren’t you dead already p>
Skyla was forced to tip her head back, but her empty eyes showed no fear. Her face stayed eerily calm.
“ How could you ever let me die?” she said lightly. “I’m the one who saved Chris Xander. I’m the trump card you’ve been holding onto this whole time p>
A slow smile curved her lips.
“ Victor Jasper, if you are really a man, then kill me.
“Bitch!” Victor shoved her hard, sending her crashing to the floor.
A jagged piece of broken porcelain sliced open her palm, but she acted as if she didn’t feel it at all.
Victor pulled out two tissues and wiped his hands. Then he crumpled them up and threw them at her.
“If I don’t get this deal, I’ll take your mom’s ashes and feed them to the dogs p>
Skyla watched him walk away. Little by little, a strange smile spread across her face.
By then, evening had started to fall.
Winter had put out some food for General, but she had no idea where he had wandered off to.
He had only been to Blackwood Manor a few times, and the place still felt new to him. He had probably run off somewhere to explore.
Winter stepped into the courtyard and called for him.
Just then, a Maybach pulled into the drive. Its headlights swept across her face, then shut off.
The car door opened. The courtyard lights were already on, and a tall, lean figure stepped out. In the freezing winter night, his breath fogged in the air.
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+25 Bonus
“Winnie p>
The second Zac saw her, he forgot all about the gunshot wound in his chest that hadn’t fully healed. He strode straight toward her and pulled her hard into his arms before she could even react.
“I’m sorry p>
His voice was low and rough, thick with emotion that was strong and tightly restrained all at once.
Thinking about everything that had happened to her over the past few days, Zac felt like his heart was breaking.
He had passed out on the helicopter ride back from the island and didn’t wake up until New Year’s Eve. Before he could even process Mrs. Xander Sr.’s death, news broke that his father was under investigation.
For the past few days, he had been forcing himself to hold the family together while still recovering from his injury. He had been handling family matters, company business, and Eugene’s situation, barely sleeping at all.
At some point, he heard that Mrs. Xander Sr. had passed away, but he had no idea Chris had publicly refused to acknowledge Winter in front of the funeral guests.
The moment he found out, he dropped everything and came straight to her.
His arms tightened around her, and the crushing guilt inside him made his eyes redden.
“I’m sorry. I should have come sooner. I’m sorry you had to go through all of this p>
Winter thought of Mrs. Xander Sr. Then she thought of Mrs. Young. Her eyes immediately began to sting.
“Zac, let go first. You’re holding me so tight I can barely breathe p>
She tried to push herself free, but Zac was holding her too tightly. She had no choice but to press a hand against his chest.
The instant she touched him, he let out a muffled groan.
The image of Zac being shot on the yacht flashed through her mind.
Her hand froze.
Then, in the next second, Zac pulled her even tighter against him. He lowered his chin to her narrow shoulder, his breathing turning rough with pain.
Upstairs in the study of the main house, Chris stood before the floor–to–ceiling window. His dark, distant eyes were cold as ice as he looked down at the man and woman locked in each other’s arms in the courtyard.
日
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Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.