Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 343

“Uncle…” Finley began anxiously, but Neville walked past him without a glance, as if he were invisible.

Paxton stood his ground at the bottom of the stairs, meeting his brother’s gaze without flinching. “Neville, what is the meaning of this? Breaking into my home in the middle of the night?”

Neville didn’t answer immediately. He advanced on Paxton, each heavy footstep radiating an oppressive aura that chilled the air.

Vivica, seeing an expression on Neville she had never witnessed before, felt a knot of fear tighten in her stomach. She instinctively tugged on her husband’s sleeve, her voice trembling. “Paxton…”

But Paxton remained resolute, standing tall as Neville closed the distance.

“I’m here to show you what I’m doing,” Neville said, stopping directly in front of his brother.

Suddenly, a piercing pain shot through Paxton’s abdomen. His eyes widened in disbelief. He looked down and saw a sharp knife buried deep in his stomach.

“You…” Paxton gasped, trying to speak, but the agony shattered his words.

Neville watched him coldly, then pulled the knife out. He caught Paxton as he swayed, leaning in to whisper in his ear, “Now do you know why I broke into your home tonight?”

His voice was as frigid as the grave, empty of all emotion.

Blood dripped from the blade, spattering onto the floor in gruesome blossoms. Only then did Vivica comprehend what had happened. She covered her mouth and shrieked, “My God! What are you doing?”

Vivica watched the blood seeping from her husband’s wound. “Finley, get the doctor! Now! Your father needs help!”

Snapping out of his shock, Finley ran to summon the Judson family’s physician.

...

After leaving the west wing, Neville didn’t return to his own villa. He got into his car and sat there for a long time, the engine off. He tossed the bloody knife aside and covered his face with his hands, a tremor of fear running through him.

When he had received Larissa’s call about Sapphira’s kidnapping, his world had nearly collapsed. He had been too complacent, too trusting. He never thought his own brother would be capable of such a thing.