Chapter 1046Â
The man raised a brow, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. “What an unfortunate… coincidence.”Â
But Johanna refused to accept it. “This is a trick! You’re trying to turn us against each other!”Â
Seeing her stubborn denial, he gestured to a subordinate. “She needs proof. Set up the live feed. Let her see for herself.”Â
“Yes, sir.”Â
The man left, and his assistant quickly set up a monitor. After a moment, the screen flickered to life. It showed the masked man sitting across from Jamie’s most trusted aide.Â
Johanna’s heart turned to ice. It was true. Jamie hadn’t come. He had chosen to save Victoria over her.Â
Through the speaker, the masked man’s distorted voice was chilling. “As I understand it, Johanna was taken first. And yet, your boss chooses to rescue another woman before his own flesh and blood?”Â
Johanna’s hands clenched into fists so tight her nails bit into her palms.Â
Jamie’s assistant spoke, his voice strained. “State your demands. What do you want?”Â
“Simple,” the man replied casually. “I want to see Jamie. Here’s the deal. Call him. Tell him if he doesn’t come now, I’ll make sure his sister is… thoroughly entertained.”Â
The assistant paled. This was far above his pay grade.Â
He immediately dialed Jamie. The call connected on speaker, and Jamie’s cold, clear voice filled the room–every word audibleÂ
to Johanna.Â
“Heh. I thought he’d make a real threat. Tell him he can do whatever he wants.”Â
Johanna’s face went deathly white. The rest of the conversation became a distant hum. Her mind short–circuited, echoing only those four, shattering words: Do whatever he wants.Â
By the time Johanna was released, a full day and night had passed. Her hair was matted, her clothes torn, and dark bruises marred her neck and arms–a testament to the “company” she had been forced to endure.Â
Jamie had never come.Â
In the end, it wasn’t mercy that freed her, but the masked man’s boredom with the game.Â
Watching her stumble away through a telescope, the man lowered the device, his expression unreadable.Â
“Sir, are we just letting her go?” his assistant asked.Â
Julliard removed the mask, his voice mild. “The goal was never to kill her. I only needed to shatter her loyalty to Jamie.” A glacial smile touched his lips. “As for punishment… there will be time. Today was merely the first lesson.”Â
When Julliard abducted Johanna, he hadn’t intended murder. He hadn’t even laid a hand on her himself he had simply fulfilled his promise and provided the men.Â
This way, her hatred would be laser–focused on the one person who could have saved her but didn’t. She could have been spared it all, if only Jamie had chosen differently.Â
Julliard’s eyes narrowed. “Has Victoria been rescued? Good. Send someone to guide Johanna to the hospital. I want her to see it for herself to see Victoria being doted on while she is left broken and defiled. Jamie used Wendy to threaten Sharon. Now, let him learn what it feels like to be destroyed by his own sister.”Â
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Chapter 1048Â
+25 BONUSÂ
Johanna drifted through the hospital corridors like a wraith. Moments before, she had overheard chatter about Victoria’s dramatic rescue.Â
The voices around her were full of admiration and envy for her brother.Â
“After a rescue like that, Victoria must be so touched. She and Jamie are definitely endgame!”Â
“I heard Jamie got injured saving her. How heroic!”Â
“Honestly, he’s the perfect man… so devoted and brave. A true gentleman!” (1Â