Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 548

Hudson had heard rumors that Finnian had been spending an awful lot of time with the Vaughn Heiress lately. Was Finnian acting as her scout?

His thoughts were violently interrupted as Arnold was dragged back from the brink of death for the umpteenth time, gasping for air thanks to Liam's medical intervention.

But surviving didn't mean suffering less.

Liam refused to use anesthesia. Every time the curved needle pierced Arnold's torn flesh, it felt like being sliced apart by a dull serrated blade. With every stitch, Arnold shrieked like a slaughtered pig.

At first, he had hurled vile curses at Hudson's ancestors, but now he was reduced to pathetic, garbled whimpers, unable to even form a coherent plea for mercy.

Sweat and blood painted his face, dripping off his chin to form a sickening puddle on the stone floor.

A moment later, Penelope's hysterical shrieking echoed from the adjacent cell. Liam frowned and stepped out to check on her. He returned a few minutes later.

He pulled off his surgical mask with a deep scowl. "Boss, Penelope has completely lost her mind..."

For the past few days, Arthur and Archer had taken turns inventing new, excruciating ways to break Arnold.

They hadn't laid a finger on Penelope.

But being trapped in the next room, forced to listen to Arnold's endless, agonizing screams every waking second, had shattered her sanity.

She hadn't eaten in days.

Breaking completely was inevitable.

"Send her to St. Jude's Psychiatric Center."

Hudson had no desire to waste his time on her. She had been incredibly cruel to Nora, but she was still her biological mother.

Locking her in an asylum was a fitting end, and it kept his hands clean of her blood.

Arnold, however, was a completely different breed of monster.

Physical castration was merely the appetizer.

For the rest of his life, Hudson was going to ensure he existed in a perpetual state of hell!

Hudson checked his watch. Deciding he had seen enough for the day, he stood up. "I'm leaving him to you. Don't let him get comfortable, and don't let him die."

"Understood."

"Wait! Don't go!" Arnold rasped desperately. "I... I have a secret about Eleanor Vance! Please, I'll tell you if you just let me go!"

Hudson let out a dark, mocking laugh, pausing halfway to the door. "Do you really think you're in a position to negotiate?"

"I... I know I had twisted thoughts about her... but I never touched her! I swear!"

As they walked toward the cars, Liam hurriedly caught up to him. "Boss, if he's telling the truth—and honestly, what kind of monster does that to his own flesh and blood?—then it all makes sense. She's definitely not his kid..."

Hudson cut him off, casually loosening his tie. "Let's wait for the results. Get the test done first."

"Understood."

Liam nodded. Seeing Hudson walking toward the Maybach, he hesitated, a deeply conflicted look on his face. "Boss, you..."

"Shut up."

Hudson knew whatever was about to come out of Liam's mouth would be thoroughly unpleasant.

"..."

Liam choked on his words, practically suffocating on his own anxiety. But he forced himself to speak. "Boss, Dr. Silas Vane only left a few pills. They're suppressing the poison for now, but it's just a band-aid. We're running out of time. We need to secure The Ivory Pill immediately."

Hudson stopped with his hand on the car door, turning his head to fix Liam with a dead, hollow stare.

"I know. My people are tracking it down."

Liam swallowed hard. "And... what if we don't find it?"

Hudson's eyes turned instantly predatory. "Liam Harrison, do you have a death wish?"