Lydia hurried over and clung to Nicholas' arm. “Young Master Shenford , there’s no need to waste time on her. Let’s just go back.”
Nicholas ignored her and drove his foot into my chest. “Am I being too nice to you? Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll really break your leg.”
The searing pain made my vision blur, and a mouthful of blood spilled from my lips.
When I finally caught my breath, I said, “I truly can’t afford to offend you. But for your own sake, I can’t take you with me.”
Before I could finish, the entire group erupted in laughter.
“The Shenford family rules Kingsport. What do you know, little girl?”
“Young Master Shenford, I’ve been looking for trouble lately—let me show her what ‘can’t be offended’ really means.”
“Remind her to prepare her coffin money, or she won’t even be able to pay the hospital bill.”
Their mockery came in waves. I clutched my chest, trying to speak, but no sound came. The moon was already sinking westward. I couldn’t delay any longer. I had warned them—life and death are dictated by fate, and I wanted no part in their karma.
I gritted my teeth. “Fine. I’ll take you.”
Pain stabbing through me, I was dragged into the back seat of their black car.
Nicholas even buckled my seatbelt, smirking. “Don’t even think of running. Just play along. When your little act falls apart, I’ll tie up that so-called distinguished guest and toss him into the river.”
I looked at him with pity. “It’s up to you. But if anything goes wrong, it’s on you.”
They all scoffed, certain I was bluffing, eager to watch me humiliate myself.
I ignored them and led the way to the agreed destination—a secluded private sanatorium deep in the mountains. The farther we went, the paler Nicholas became. “This… isn’t this where my old man, Edward Shenford Sr., lives?”
“He barely leaves home. No one outside the family should know where he is.”
Suddenly, his expression turned sharp. “Zoe, who are you? Are you trying to trick me?”
I stayed silent. Then his phone rang. He answered.
“Young Master, where are you? The Old Master just passed away. Madam can’t reach you—she’s frantic.”
The car went dead quietly.
Lydia broke the silence with a forced laugh. “Young Master Shenford, she’s just a lunatic. Don’t scare yourself—it’s just a coincidence.”
I sat there, holding my bloody knee, saying nothing.
When we arrived, Maggie Shenford, clad in black, rushed out. Her eyes went first to her pale-faced grandson. “Nicholas, your grandfather just died, and you’re still out playing? How unfilial!”
Then she spotted me in the car, my knee soaked in blood, lips tightly pressed together. “Miss Jennings, what happened? Why didn’t you drive here as planned?”
I glanced at the stunned faces of Nicholas and his companions, let out a bitter laugh, and shook my head. “Madam, perhaps you should ask your good grandson.”
Just then, a heavy wave of resentment surged from the house.
