The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 997

"Just endure a little longer... soon you'll have a perfectly happy life."

Mr. Warren whispered the final words so quietly they dissolved into the air.

He stood motionless, tracking Tamara's retreating figure until the clinic door clicked shut behind her. The second she was out of sight, the warm, paternal glow instantly vanished from his face.

Behind the gold-rimmed lenses, his eyes darkened into an abyss of cold calculation, staring at the closed door as if he could bore a hole straight through the wood.

His right hand lifted, the pad of his thumb absently tracing the bare skin of his left ring finger.

If one looked closely, there was a faint, pale indentation where a wedding band used to be.

After a long moment, he finally turned and strolled out of the waiting area at a leisurely pace.

As he passed a trash can, he paused. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out an identical ivory business card, ripped it in half, and let the pieces flutter into the garbage.

His silhouette blended seamlessly into the hospital crowd, vanishing into the shadows of the corridor.

...

The Langley estate.

It was the afternoon of the third day since Talbot Langley had placed his father, Dante Langley, under house arrest.

When Talbot pushed open the door, the old patriarch was reclining in a chair by the window, his eyes closed.

Dante looked remarkably composed. He had shed the explosive fury from the first day he was locked in.

The lock clicked softly. Talbot strolled in.

He was dressed in a razor-sharp charcoal suit, carrying a fresh cup of coffee. A perfectly crafted mask of filial devotion was plastered across his face.

"Dad, how have you been sleeping?"

He approached the chair and set the coffee down on the side table, moving with practiced gentleness. "You've been through a lot of stress lately, so I had the kitchen prepare a special dark roast for you. It's the perfect temperature. Drink up."

"It'll help soothe your nerves."

To an outsider, Talbot looked like the picture-perfect, devoted son. If anyone else saw this, they would praise his dedication.

"I'm doing this for your own good. You have no idea what it's like out there. Ever since Callahan's accident, the corporate world is in chaos. The board of directors are circling like sharks. I'm keeping you safe."

"You're retired, and staying here is the best way to protect your health. Why are you constantly twisting my intentions and making me out to be the villain?"

"Bullshit!"

Dante's eyes snapped open, blazing with furious clarity.

"Protect me?"

"Talbot, do I look senile to you? You think I'd buy that garbage? I know exactly what you're after."

"Stop hiding behind these pathetic excuses. Don't you make yourself sick with your own hypocrisy?"

"Because you make me want to vomit!"

"I am done listening to your lies. If you still have an ounce of respect for your father, you will unlock that door right now!"