âMr. La Landon, calm down,â Angelina reminded him, taking a step back. Nonetheless, he stormed out of the room and made his way to the first floor.
Sitting on the living room couch, Zoe was overcome with anxiety and covered in sweat. She found herself trapped in the villa under the watchful eyes of four bodyguards.
âM-Ms. Zoe, Mr. Landon is fufious. What should we do?â Donna, who was kneeling on the floor, desperately clung to Zoeâs legs.
âHow should I know?â
They heard heavy footsteps echoing through the house. As Landon entered the living room with Angelina, an eerie silence enveloped the room.
âLandon..â Zoe called out to him weakly. Knowing that tantrums wouldnât work on him, she put on a pitiful look instead.
âYou hit and kicked Lauren. I saw everything clearly from the surveillance footage,â he stated, suppressing his boiling rage. He couldnât imagine what he would have done if Zoe hadnât been his sister.
âLandon, I did it because I couldnât contain my anger. We grew up together. When have you ever seen me hit anyone? Iâm even scared of bugs! Iâve never assaulted anyone before,â Zoe argued.
Landon remained expressionless.
An idea struck Zoe. She pushed Donna away while accusing. âItâs⦠Itâs her! She incited me to do that!
She fueled the fire the moment I got off the plane and told me to hit Lauren.
âI already disliked Lauren, and Donnaâs provocation was the last straw for me. Sheâs to blame for what I did!â
âNo, I didnâtâ¦â Donna pleaded as she knelt on the floor. She dared not even retort âAnd why would you hate Lauren? Did she wrong you in any way?â Landon wondered, casting a glum look at Zoe.
âS-Sheâ¦â Zoe was at a loss for words, but she quickly came up with an excuse.
âSheâs an idiot. How dare she try to seduce you? Iâll never approve of a future sister-in-law like her!â
âWhy so? Do I need your approval for my partner?â Landon narrowed his eyes, chuckling. He appeared more intimidating now than when he was angry.
âHâ Zoe nearly burst into tears from the anger and felt disappointed in Landon.
âAnd youâve got one thing wrong.â Landon added, his blood boiling at the thought of Laurenâs joyous presence and her soft lips.
âShe didnât seduce me. It was the other way around. I wanted to be with her.â
Zoe nearly blacked out upon hearing that. Lauren, who had always been beneath her, seemed to have risen above her.
âAngelina.â
âYes, Mr. Landon?â Angelina stepped forward.
âPunish this woman by sending her to Doomsbury,â Landon instructed with indifference, effectively condemning Donna to death.
Doomsbury was notorious for being a hellhole. Men who found themselves there could have their organs forcibly removed or be enslaved. The women were worse-they could end up in prostitution and plagued by sexual diseases.
âMr. Landon! It wasnât me. I was taking Ms. Zoeâs orders!â Donna cried out, but it was in vain. Angelina signaled at two bodyguards, who dragged Donna away.
Meanwhile, Zoe stood motionless on the ground. It was her first time witnessing her ruthless brother get.
rid of her staff right before her eyes.
âNobody knows about this villa except for me, Angelina, and a few trusted individuals-not even Mom or you,â Landon remarked.
He lowered his gaze and took out a cigarette, shoving it between his lips. âSo, who spilled the beans?â
Zoe trembled violently under her expensive fur coat. The coat was nearly drenched in her sweat.
*
âThose around me who know me well will understand that I despise betrayal the most,â Landon added as he lit the cigarette with the lighter in his gloved hands.
He took a drag and asked, âZoe, who told you that Lauren and I lived here?â
Speechless and pale, Zoe felt as though she were being strangled.