The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Shane’s satisfied laughter echoes through the speaker. “That’s more like it. Tell me who we’re dealing with, and I’ll get my guys on it.”

“Tara,” Jade spits out the name with pure venom. “I want her ruined. I want her reputation burned to the ground so she can never recover.”

Shane lets out a low, mocking whistle. “Easy enough. I just got my hands on a new batch of party favors that’ll make her beg for mercy. Maybe I’ll let you try some when we’re done.”

Jade fights back the bile rising in her throat. “I don’t need any of that, Shane. I’ll come to you willingly.”

She hangs up the phone and sprints to her en-suite bathroom, dry-heaving into the marble sink at the thought of Shane’s depraved methods. Staring at her pale reflection in the mirror a brief flicker of hesitation crosses her eyes, only to be instantly swallowed by blazing

hatred.

“You forced my hand, Tara,” she whispers to her reflection.

Meanwhile, Tara spends the next couple of days running her own errands. She continues her intensive regimen to repair Danny’s health. His system is finally clear of the lingering toxins, and his mobility is fully restored, but enduring years of cold poison means his body still requires extensive aftercare.

Realizing she is completely out of several critical botanical ingredients, Tara decides to restock. Thirty minutes later, she pulls up to a highly specialized, traditional apothecary on the outskirts of the city, renowned for sourcing the rarest holistic supplies.

“I’d like everything on this list,” Tara says, sliding a piece of paper across the counter.

The shop owner studies the list, his brow furrowing. “Miss, these ingredients are incredibly expensive, and a few of them are exceedingly rare…”

“Money is not an issue,” Tara interrupts smoothly, sliding a sleek bank card onto the glass counter. “Just make sure they are completely authentic.”

The owner’s eyes light up, his posture instantly shifting to deep deference. “Right away, Miss. Please give me just a moment.”

Stepping out of the apothecary with a large bag of specialized herbs, Tara gets into her car and starts the drive home. Since she is in the quiet suburbs, the roads are practically empty. She drives at a relaxed pace, enjoying the silence.

Suddenly, as she rounds a sharp curve, a young girl darts directly into the middle of the road, looking absolutely terrified.

Tara slams on the brakes, the tires squealing as the car jolts to a halt. The girl shrieks,

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Chapter 83

stumbling backward and collapsing onto the asphalt, her face pale with shock.

Tara instantly jumps out of the car. “Are you alright?” she asks, crouching beside the trembling teenager.

“I… I’m okay. Someone was chasing me, and I got so scared…” the girl stammers, shivering violently.

Tara frowns, a flicker of suspicion crossing her mind. She scans the desolate stretch of road There is absolutely no one around.

“There’s no one here. You can get up,” Tara says calmly.

When the girl scrambles to her feet, Tara notices a nasty scrape bleeding down her calf. “Can you walk?”

Tara can’t shake the nagging feeling that something is off, but she can’t quite pinpoint what it is.

“My leg hurts a little. Miss, could you please give me a ride home? My grandmother is really sick, and I need to get back to her,” the girl begs, her eyes wide and pleading.

Tara agrees without hesitation. “Alright. Get in, I’ll take you.”

After all, she nearly ran the poor girl over. It is only right to make sure she gets home safely. Tara helps the girl into the passenger seat and tosses her bag of supplies into the back.

“Which way to your house?” Tara asks, buckling her seatbelt.

The girl points nervously toward the windshield. “Just a little further ahead. It’s down a dirt road.”

Tara nods and puts the car in drive. She glances at the girl in the rearview mirror. The teenager has her head bowed, still looking thoroughly spooked.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe now,” Tara offers, softening her tone. “Why were those people chasing you?”

The girl’s shoulders hunch, her voice barely a whisper. “My dad owes them a lot of money… They want to take me to pay off his debt.”