Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 399

Chapter 399 An Ignoble Exploitation.

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Finished

Tatiana did not reject the arrangements. She stepped onto the soil of Bellwood with the two children, followed by several of her trusted confidants from Steele Island.

The islanders looked around with curiosity, finding this place vastly different from the other countries they had visited. It was quiet, peaceful, and filled with a beauty that made one relax instinctively.

Along the way, Lucas fulfilled his duties as a local, introducing the sights. Upon arriving at the hotel, they headed straight to a private dining room for a meal he had ordered in advance.

Before the food was served, Lucas stepped out to take a phone call. Tatiana took that moment to turn her attention to Tammy.

“Give me your hand.”

“Huh?” Tammy blinked.

Tatiana didn’t wait; she reached out, grabbed Tammy’s wrist, and yanked up her sleeve.

“Tati!” Tammy gasped.

As expected, her arm was wrapped in heavy bandages, and blood was already seeping through the edges. It was a fresh injury. Tatiana’s expression darkened instantly.

Tammy quickly pulled her hand back, stuttering an explanation. “I… I just hurt myself by accident!”

“By accident? Or were you acting as a shield for someone else?”

“It was really an accident…” Tammy looked away guiltily, unable to meet Tatiana’s piercing gaze.

Tatiana let out a cold snort. She suddenly reached out and squeezed Tammy’s shoulder. The girl let out a sharp hiss of pain, her face twisting.

“Agh!”

“Was that an accident, too?”

“I… yes…”

“Listen to me,” Tatiana said, her voice dropping into a stern, dangerous register. “I don’t care if you call yourself Alita or Tammy. If you ever lie to me again, I will stop speaking to you entirely.”

Tammy’s face paled at the threat. Her shoulders slumped as she whispered, “It’s my fault for being useless. I didn’t dodge in time. Next time… next time I won’t let them get away with it!”

“Them? Who is hunting you?”

“That…”

Tammy struggled to find the words, but the door opened and Lucas returned. Their conversation was cut short.

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Chapter 399 An ignoble Exploitation

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4 Finished

Tatiana didn’t mention the injury again. She ate dinner quietly with the children and then signaled for Lucas to stay behind alone.

Tammy looked worried and tried to find an excuse to stay, but Tatiana gave her a direct order: “Take Ann and Hubert to their room to rest.”

Tammy didn’t dare disobey. Soon, only Tatiana and Lucas remained in the room.

Lucas, unaware of what she had discovered, assumed she was worried about her health. “I’ve arranged the examinations. When the time comes…”

“Dr. Lucas.”

“Yes?”

“Have you forgotten what I told you before?”

Lucas stiffened as he realized what was happening.

“Alita is very important to me. She is kind and sincere, but that does not mean she is yours to exploit.”

“I am not exploiting her,” Lucas reflexively countered.

“No?” Tatiana’s eyes were like ice. “Then explain the wounds on her body. Back on the island, her hunting skills were equal to any man’s. She has the sharpest instincts and senses I’ve ever seen; she rarely lets a wild beast touch her. So why is it that after only a few days with you, she looks like this?”

Tatiana’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an immense, crushing authority. As that sharp gaze swept over him. Lucas had a fleeting, haunting sensation that he was looking at Jasper.

He fell into a heavy silence.

“I don’t care what family business you have to settle here in Bellwood. But if you intend to throw her life away like this, then I have no use for a man like you. Get out.”

The final word carried the weight of profound disappointment. She had truly believed he was a friend she could trust.

She had been wrong.

Lucas stood silent for a long time before he spoke in a low voice. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’ve run into some trouble recently. There are people trying to kill me.”

Smash.

Tatiana picked up a glass from the table and hurled it at his feet.

“So you used one of my people as a human shield?”

Lucas had no defense. It was only now, with Tatiana stripping away his excuses, that he realized the magnitude of his actions. He had indeed relied on Tammy’s wild, animalistic instincts to survive a series of “accidents” that would have otherwise ended his life.

“Dr. Lucas, since you find her such a burden, she will stay with me from now on to protect the children. She

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Chapter 399 An Ignoble Exploitation

won’t be bothering you anymore.”

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