Esther's eyes widened with terror, and she struggled desperately as Bradley gripped her jaw firmly. He was domineering and insane, commanding her, "Swallow it!"
The taste of buttercream filled Esther's mouth, but instead of sweetness, she tasted nothing but the metallic tang of blood.
Bradley began smearing the blood-looking cream all over her face.
He warned, "Esther, remember this. I'm only merciful once. If there's a next time, you'll watch as her hand is cut off and delivered to you."
Nausea churned in Esther's stomach. She didn't care that Bradley was still there and knelt down to vomit nearby.
Now she understood that the severed hand from earlier wasn't real—it was a creation by a cake artist. Despite its artificial nature, the fear it had instilled made her scalp tingle, and she felt the pain as if she were truly being tortured.
Bradley paid no attention to Esther's agony. He turned to Sally and declared, "You're fired."
"Mr. Warner, I'm sorry..."
Sally dreaded losing such a well-paying job with minimal work and a great environment.
Bradley gestured, and black-clad men came forward. They carried Sally and the bloodied Mike and tossed them onto a small boat.
The sea breeze gently ruffled Bradley's hair as he stood up and ordered curtly, "Now that the servant is gone, you'll be the villa's maid."
Esther looked at Bradley anxiously, unable to believe he would let her off so easily this time.
"Go and freshen up, then prepare dinner."
"Yes," Esther replied hoarsely.
"It's reported that Richard Pendleton used his position to protect his son, Chadwick Pendleton…"
Esther couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction hearing the news about Richard and Chadwick's crimes. Despite that, she didn't dare show it in front of Bradley and continued to prepare the meal diligently.
Thanks to Bradley, she had spent five years in prison, during which she had acquired various skills, some of which might have seemed unnecessary but were still valuable. Perhaps one day, she would need those skills.
Esther was careful not to provoke Bradley. When she finished preparing dinner, she approached him with respect.
"Mr. Warner, dinner is ready."
Bradley tore his gaze from his tablet, where he had been handling business matters.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Husband Wants Me Dead (Esther and Bradley)
don't read at all. horrible story, makes me sick....