Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 40

Finley’s patience finally snapped. He lunged forward and grabbed her by the collar. “One more word out of you, and I swear I’ll kill you!”

Looking at his furious face, Larissa just smirked. “Finley, I’m afraid you might die long before you get the chance to kill me.”

Her audacity was infuriating. Finley took a deep breath. “It seems you’re the type who won’t back down until you’re broken. Men!”

At his command, four bodyguards stormed into the courtyard, surrounding Larissa.

“Grab her. Take her away.”

Two of the guards moved towards her. Larissa stood perfectly still, offering no resistance as they led her out of the villa and shoved her into a waiting car.

The car sped away.

…

Meanwhile, in the west villa, Honora watched the scene unfold from her window, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across her face.

She had known that Leopold, in his anger, would go straight to Finley and tell him everything. She just hadn’t realized how much her older brother cared for her. He had come to deal with Larissa personally, and so quickly.

Unlike Leopold, whose punishments were limited to verbal tirades and minor physical altercations, Finley was ruthless.

She remembered when they were in middle school, a boy had catcalled her and touched her arm. When Finley found out, he had the boy kidnapped and his hands broken. A sum of money had made the problem disappear.

Larissa had slapped her across the face. Honora wondered if she would get away with that so easily.

“Yes, this is a good place. No one will know what happens,” Larissa agreed with a chilling smile.

Finley’s eyes were like chips of ice. “I’m not like Leopold. I don’t have his patience. I prefer to act rather than talk.”

“Oh,” Larissa said.

“But since you are, technically, my sister, I’ll be merciful,” Finley said, his tone dripping with condescension. “I’ll give you one chance. Kneel and apologize to Honora, then slap yourself a hundred times. Do that, and I’ll let you go today.”

Kneel and apologize? Slap herself a hundred times? So this was his idea of a chance. How enlightening.

Larissa looked up at him, a mocking smile playing on her lips. “You do remember that I’m your real sister, don’t you? Are you sure you want to be this cruel to your own flesh and blood for the sake of an adopted girl?”