Based on his years as a doctor, Gideon knew for certain-his face was ruined beyond recognition.
No amount of stic surgery could save him now; the skin on his face had been shed so brutally, it was barely holding together in shreds.
Even the most hardened kidnappers, men who''d seen it all, couldn''t help swallowing hard at the sight.
They already knew just how ruthless this man could be-they''d witnessed it firsthandst time.
Yet here they were, caught by him again, all because of the same woman.
A scream tore through the tense silence.
Elise had never seen anything so horrific. Her legs threatened to give out, her stomach twisted in agony, and panic forced her to break.
"I''ll talk I''ll tell you everything! It was him, all him! I don''t know anything else, I swear!"
Sobbing, Elise dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead to the floor, begging for mercy.
"Please, sir, for the sake of my baby-just let me go!"
Victor''sugh was cold and sharp, a predator''s smile devoid of pity.
"Ms. Harrison, that baby isn''t mine. I''m not feeling particrly merciful."
Hearing Elise betray him broke Gideon''s heart, but she was the woman he loved, and she was carrying his child.
He''d give anything for her.
Even as pain wracked his body, Gideon forced himself upright, summoning thest of his strength.
"It was me-I did it, all of it! Leave her and... my child out of this. If you want revenge, take it out on me."
As soon as he finished speaking, the heavy front doors burst open again. Everyone turned.
Magnus stood framed in the doorway, a storm of rage radiating from him. The light behind him masked his expression, but the anger burning in his presence was unmistakable-a force of nature, relentless and furious.
Victor saw him and shrugged, strolling forward with casual indifference.
He pped Magnus on the shoulder. "She''s all yours to deal with."
At the door, Victor paused and nced back, his voice dripping with mockery. "You''ve been yed for a fool, Magnus. Maybe next time, I''ll send you a proper hat to match."
Magnus red at the two of them, his dark eyes venomous.
He''d never felt so utterly humiliated.
For a moment, Magnus almostughed. The sound was raw, his eyes red-rimmed with fury as he closed the door, shutting out thest sliver of light. He walked toward Elise.
Elise stared up at him.
Magnus''s dark eyes fixed coldly on her-filled with malice, not a trace of warmth.
Inside, she shatteredpletely.
She wanted to beg, to exin.
To say that everything Gideon had imed was a lie, that Magnus shouldn''t believe any of it.
But terror crashed over her, a tidal wave that stole her breath and seized her throat. Her lips trembled, her teeth chattered, and her eyes brimmed with tears.
Without warning, Magnus raised his right hand and struck her across the face- hard. The blow cracked through the room, so fierce it left her seeing stars.
Pain exploded in her cheek, nearly knocking her unconscious.
Then a violent cramp twisted through her abdomen, worse than she''d ever felt before. Warm blood began to seep down her legs...
Still, Elise tried to cling to hope-onest desperate plea. "Magnus... please, save my baby."
*
Outside, the driver saw Victor approaching and hurried to open the car''s back
door, bowing slightly in respect.
The car slid smoothly onto the main road.
Kemp sat in the front seat, curiosity finally getting the better of him.
"Mr. Fitzgerald, why didn''t you just finish those two off yourself? Why bring Magnus into this?"
Victor lounged in the center seat, legs crossed, his handsome face unconcerned as he nced upzily.
"Elise only ever cared about Magnus. So, let the man she loves be the one to send her off. Remember, Kemp-if you really want to destroy someone, you go for the heart."
Besides, it would ensure Magnus stayed far away from Isadora.
Victor had never pretended to be an honorable man.
He wanted Isadora.
He wanted her world to revolve around him and him alone.
Just thinking of her made his lips curl into a satisfied smile. Pleasure danced in his
eyes as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart.