Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 319

The time right after lunch was when people were the most lethargic. Nadine and Stella both had a habit of napping in the afternoon, so they headed to their rooms shortly after eating.

Wade used this exact window to sneak in.

He knocked out a drowsy bodyguard, stripped him of his uniform, and waltzed right through the front doors of the Blackwood Manor.

After escaping the derelict plant last night, his original plan was to break into the Imperial Gardens and kidnap Stella to blackmail Julius. But to his surprise, Julius had dropped her off at the Manor.

This actually worked out better. With the old lady added to the mix, he had even more leverage.

As long as he controlled Stella and Nadine, he could force Julius to give him a massive sum of money and smuggle him out of the country. Once abroad, he could seize Gideon's resources and live like a king.

He knew the bodyguards' shift changes at the Manor perfectly and knew this was their most relaxed hour. If he was going to strike, it had to be now.

Making his move in the middle of the day was actually easier than at night.

Once Julius returned in the evening, his chances of success would plummet.

The sooner he left the country, the better. As time dragged on, more people would recognize him as a wanted fugitive, making every step impossible.

That was why he decided to strike today.

His plan was to start with Nadine. Once he had her, Stella would easily fall into line.

Even if she knew hypnosis, so what? As long as he didn't look into her eyes and ignored whatever she said, she couldn't do a thing to him.

After helping Nadine settle into bed, Lisa retired to the adjacent servant's quarters for her own rest.

Wade froze the feed on the Manor's security cameras and quietly slipped into Nadine's room.

To make it easier for Lisa to come in and check on her, Nadine's door was only pulled shut, not locked. Wade entered without a hitch.

He hadn't heard anything about a wedding. He assumed Julius was just playing around with a younger girl and keeping her stashed at the Imperial Gardens.

After all, Stella looked like she had barely graduated high school.

"Do whatever you want, but I'm not making that call. Hmph!" Nadine was tough as nails.

Wade grabbed an apple from the bedside table and took a bite. "Fine, don't call. I have plenty of other ways to get her down here. But don't blame me if I get rough with her later. You're the one who refused to cooperate."

The commotion in the room finally drew Lisa from next door.

Lisa shrieked in horror, "Who are you?! What are you doing to Ma'am?! Help! There's an intruder!"

Her ear-piercing scream instantly alerted Larry, the maids, and the bodyguards.

Wade didn't try to stop her. As long as he had the old lady in his grip, no one would dare make a move.