?Chapter 1428:


    Harlee sat there, her acting skills heightened with each passing moment. She pressed her hand over her mouth, an expression of disbelief washing over her as she whispered, “This is unbelievable! Nic nned this all along… Why has my dad never told me about this?”


    Lucius, still holding the cloth doll, pressed y on the audio again. He listened intently. From what he gathered, Nic had deceived him in league with Nathaniel, all under the influence of the Bloodthirstiness Pill. He began to wonder if perhaps she had harbored feelings for him back then.


    Suddenly, Lucius sprang to his feet, his excitement palpable as he hugged the tombstone.


    “I knew it! I knew you cared about me. Nic, thank you. Thank you for leaving me this message…”


    At that precise moment, Harlee’s phone rang. She nced down, seeing it was Desmond calling, likely about the antidote. Yet, she wasn’t sure if she could fully trust the information Lucius had given her. She pressed the answer button.


    “How is it?”


    Desmond’s voice crackled through, thick with frustration.


    “Goodwin says the antidote seems fine. But we analyzed it based on your blood test report, and it turns out that the antidote will not resolve the poison in your body. It will only relieve the symptoms for three months.”


    “You tricked me?” Harlee scowled at Lucius.


    Upon hearing Harlee’s voice, Lucius spun around in surprise, his face still wearing a joyous grin from the recording. He was slow toprehend her usation. He had just confidently handed over the antidote, convinced that Harlee would suspect nothing, but her reaction was dyed.


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    Harlee did not give Lucius a chance to respond. Swiftly, she drew her gun and shot him in the thigh. The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed, and Lucius crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud.


    Lucius’ six men quickly pulled out their weapons and pointed them at Harlee, but Rhys, Jianna, and Thiago reacted faster, neutralizing two of Lucius’ men each as soon as they made a move.


    As agony jolted through his body, Lucius finally grasped the gravity of Harlee’s words, asking in confusion, “How could you… How could you have…?”


    Harlee cut him off, firing again, this time aiming for his heart. The bullet,ced with a special sedative, quickly took effect, and Lucius sank into deep unconsciousness.


    Harlee observed him copse, her hands trembling slightly. She wasn’t sure if this was the oue she had envisioned, feeling ultimately let down. She had believed that Lucius still had some conscience, but she hadn’t expected him to be so awful as to tamper with the antidote. Rhys quickly came to her side and embraced her tightly, looking down at her as she stared emotionlessly at Lucius on the ground, her face showing neither joy, hatred, nor sadness.


    After a pause, Harlee let out a chuckle, a mix of derision and triumph over her executed n.


    Rhys clung to Harlee more firmly. In that embrace, she felt as frigid as ice, devoid of any warmth.


    Harlee stood motionless in his hold, her gaze fixed nkly on Lucius’ figure.


    “I had even thought about letting him walk free.”


    Harlee had clung to a faint hope, despite knowing Lucius’ true nature. Had he not tampered with the antidote, she might have spared him, leaving his fate to the justice system. But…


    “You have the kindest heart,” Rhys murmured as he brushed away a stray lock of hair from her face and gently rested his chin on her forehead.


    “Well done, you’ve liberated yourself from a harmful presence.”


    Harlee didn’t reply. She simply embraced him tightly, seeking warmth from his embrace. It was alright. She had nned for this final act, hadn’t she? She had exploited thest vestiges of his kindness and affection. They owed each other nothing now.


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