Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 286

In her panic, a desperate idea struck Honora. She looked up at Larissa, her voice pleading. “Larissa, can you cure me? Please… I’m begging you…”

“I gave you a chance to be cured earlier,” Larissa said with mock regret. “It’s a shame you didn’t take it.”

Honora’s eyes filled with despair. How could she have known she was risking permanent disfigurement?

Seeing Honora’s devastated expression, Larissa felt a deep sense of satisfaction. She turned and wheeled Haskell toward the stage.

“Larissa,” Haskell asked, “I’m curious. Was Honora getting bitten just a coincidence, or…?”

“I did it,” Larissa answered without hesitation. “I guided that scorpion to her. It was the perfect opportunity, and I wasn’t about to let it go to waste.”

Just as he thought. A knowing smile touched Haskell’s lips. “A pity you couldn’t get her to confess to what she did to you.”

Larissa chuckled. “It doesn’t matter. The knowledge that she’s disfigured will be a source of regret for the rest of her life. Every day, she’ll wish she had just confessed. For her, that’s the ultimate form of torture.”

After Larissa and Haskell left, Vivica looked at Honora’s unwatchable face, fighting back a wave of nausea.

“Honora, don’t panic yet,” she soothed. “We can’t be sure Larissa is telling the truth. Let’s go to the hospital and try the transfusion!”

Honora nodded weakly through her tears. “Okay.”

Vivica, also anxious to get Finley treated, nodded. “Yes, let’s go now.”

Though the stampede of venomous creatures had caused chaos, Zoltan and Haskell had managed the situation so effectively that the venue was still mostly pristine.

On stage, Haskell addressed the guests. “I apologize for the scare you all endured tonight. Thank you for staying to witness our engagement ceremony.”

He pulled a beautifully crafted ring box from his pocket and opened it before Larissa, his deep eyes brimming with love.

“Larissa, meeting you in the darkest time of my life was the greatest fortune I could have ever asked for. Before you, I didn’t understand love. After you, I believe in love at first sight. Today, in front of all these witnesses, I want to give myself to you. Will you accept me?”