Chapter 295
Stella Valentine's fingers clenched around the Swiss Army knife.
The hospital room was packed with thugs brought by William Rubenstein. Her back pressed against the cold wall as her gaze darted to the only exit—blocked by two burly men.
"Mr. Rubenstein," she said softly, "are you sure you want bloodshed here?"
His greasy hand landed on her shoulder. "Miss Valentine, your uncle's debts need to be repaid."
A flash of steel.
The blade pressed against William's pulsing jugular. She felt the tremor of his Adam's apple as he swallowed.
"Send them out," she hissed. "Or I'll show you how sharp this is."
The room erupted into murmurs.
William raised a hand to stop his men, forcing a laugh. "Miss Valentine, let's talk—"
"Three seconds." She increased the pressure. "One."
A bead of blood welled up. William paled. "Out! Everyone out!"
The sound of retreating footsteps filled the room.
Victor Lefèvre cowered in the corner, lips trembling. "Stella, what are you—"
"Shut up." She didn't look at him. "Mr. Rubenstein, let's negotiate."
He dabbed at his bleeding neck. "Name your terms."
"First, my uncle's debt is erased."
"That's—"
The blade bit deeper.
"Fine! Done!" William gasped. "What else?"
"Second, you'll never speak of my husband again."
William let out a strange laugh. "That helmet-wearing coward? Too scared to show his face—what kind of man is that?"
Her hand twitched.
"Did I strike a nerve?" He seized her wrist. "Riding a junk motorcycle, no real job—letting a woman fight his battles—"
"He's not!" Her voice cracked.
"Then where is he?" William twisted her arm violently. "Let me show you what a real man looks like!"
Stella slammed against the wall.
Her skull hit the hard surface, vision blurring. Through the haze, she saw William's sneering face loom closer.
"Third..." She suddenly smiled. "I want that baseball bat."
William froze. "What?"
"The one he used on you." Her voice was eerily calm. "Did you keep it?"
"You're insane!" He spat. "Trashed it years ago—that piece of—"
Steel flashed.
Stella drove the knife toward his chest with all her strength.
BANG!
The door burst open.
William twisted her wrist, sending the knife clattering to the floor. A backhanded slap sent her crashing into an IV stand.
"You asked for this!" He ripped off his tie. "I'll take you right here!"
Her fingers closed around broken glass.
As William lunged, she pressed the shard to her own throat. "One more step, and I'll bleed out."
He skidded to a stop, face purpling.
"Kill me, and you hang for murder." Blood trickled down her pale neck. "Want to gamble, Mr. Rubenstein?"
The air turned to ice.
William suddenly laughed. "Feisty! I like that!" He adjusted his suit, stepping back. "We'll continue this another time, Miss Valentine."
When the footsteps faded, Stella collapsed.
The glass slipped from her fingers, blood blooming on the floor like a dark rose.
Hugging her knees, she watched dusk settle outside the window.
Mr. Alistair...
Where are you?