The air was heavy with the metallic scent of blood, and Raymondâs whimpers reverberated through the room.
Damienâs icy glare sent shivers down Wanda and Patriciaâs spines, despite their claims, of affection for the groaning figure on the floor.
Finally, Wanda, her voice trembling, pulled at Cheriseâs sleeve. âCherry, please reason with Dame before he has Raymond killed!â
Cheriseâs lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She met Wandaâs gaze and slowly withdrew her hand. âAre you certain you want him to remain alive?â
Confusion flushed Wandaâs face.â
In Wandaâs eyes, Cherise was still the sweet, forgiving girl she had been five years ago. She wouldnât dare question someoneâs plea, let alone doubt her love.
However, Wanda had no inkling of how much Cherise had changed, how five years had molded her into a woman who saw the world in shades of advantage and consequence.
Cherise studied Wandaâs bewildered expression, a hint of amusement dancing on her lips. âConsider this. If he dies today, you can find someone new. Heâs been fooling around with every woman in town, even attempting to reconcile with Mrs. Miles at this party while youâre playing the role of a contented wife. Do you truly wish to keep someone like him who cannot stay committed?â
Cheriseâs words, though harsh, were like a splash of cold water.
Raymondâs infidelity had driven her to the brink for years, but leaving him? That was akin to leaping off a cliff blindfolded. Without his prestigious name, who would she be? In public, she was Mrs. Lenoir, all smiles and elegance, but internally, she was ensnared by his wealth and influence.
Sure, she had convinced herself that he could chase after fleeting desires as long as she retained all the diamond rings and the substantial bank account. However, tonight, in front of everyone, he had shattered her dignity like a dropped glass.
Wanda took a shaky breath, meeting Cheriseâs gaze as her resistance finally waned.
A twisted smile crept onto her face as she turned to Damien, who continued to pummel Raymond like a punching bag. âDame,â she spat, âmake it hurt good! I want my revenge, too!â
Deep down, she yearned for Damien to finish Raymond off. His death meant his fortune, and with that, a new life, a new lover, all acquired with the tainted money of her past.
In the blink of an eye, Cherise had turned the tables, leaving Raymondâs sole defender speechless.
Fury surged through Damienâs veins as he relentlessly battered Raymond, each blow fueled by years of pent-up rage.
His fists hammered away, driven by the memory of his parentsâ tragic accident on their way to see Raymond.
Even in his dying moments, his father, Hansen, had been concerned about Raymondâs well-being. And Raymond? The good-for-nothing who spat on their sacrifices, who traded Hansenâs name for cheap thrills and illicit deals, who exploited it to rape Mrs. Tanner, then conspired with her to harm Hansen and his wife!
The rage in Damienâs gut was roaring to be released.
This wasnât just about tonight, about Raymondâs latest betrayal with Patricia.
This was about everything: a lifetimeâ of Raymondâs selfishness masquerading as love. He wasnât a family member but a cockroach scurrying across the Lenoir legacy.
And Damien was swatting him away, blow by blow.