Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 373

“Haskell,” Honora pleaded, turning her tear-streaked face to him with a look of pure desperation. “Save me… please? You care about me, don’t you? You still want to marry me, right?”

Before Haskell could respond, Avril jumped in, afraid Larissa might get the wrong idea. “Honora, stop deluding yourself! Haskell never liked you, not for a second!”

“That’s not true… Haskell… if you didn’t like me, why did you agree to the engagement? My family wasn’t the best match, and there are more beautiful women in Regal City…”

“The engagement was arranged by our grandfather,” Avril explained. “As the Palmer heir, he had to marry to secure the family’s future and produce an heir. He only agreed because he didn’t want to upset our grandfather, whose health was failing.”

Haskell, for once, dropped his usual gentle demeanor. His deep eyes held a faint mockery. “I never had any intention of marrying you. My heart belongs to Larissa alone. After everything you’ve done to hurt her, even if your family could forgive you, I never will.”

Paxton quickly added, “Mr. Palmer, rest assured, I will never let this stray who harmed Larissa off the hook. I will do whatever it takes to make Larissa happy!”

Haskell knew exactly why Paxton was being so ruthless toward Honora and simply offered a faint, noncommittal smile.

Having exhausted all her options, Honora finally understood that the only person who could save her now was Larissa. But she couldn’t bring herself to beg her for mercy.

Just then, Paxton loomed over her, his face contorted with rage. “You little stray! The moment Mr. Palmer was injured, you begged us to bring our real daughter back to take your place in the marriage. You have the audacity to ask him for help now? You’re truly shameless!”

Honora knelt on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. “Dad, please, I’m begging you… have you forgotten the twenty years we had together as father and daughter?”

“If you remembered our bond, you would never have hurt my real daughter!” Ignoring her pleas, Paxton bent down to grab her.

Honora shrieked in agony as a long, deep gash opened from the corner of her eye to her mouth.

Sapphira turned away, unable to watch. As much as she despised Paxton’s family, the gruesome scene was too much to bear. Neville wrapped an arm around her, gently tucking her head into his chest.

“That one was for my son, Leopold,” Paxton declared. “And now, for my daughter, Larissa.”

He sliced another gash across Honora’s other cheek before finally lowering the knife. He looked at Larissa. “See, Larissa? Dad has avenged you. If it’s still not enough, just tell me where else you want me to cut her. You name the spot, and I’ll do it!”

Larissa glanced at the two bloody wounds on Honora’s face, confirming that it was now permanently ruined. She let out a derisive laugh. “Don’t do me any favors. You’re not doing this for me. You’re doing this because you’re furious that Honora cost you your share of the Judson fortune. Don’t pin your brutality on me.”