Chapter 1018: Chapter 1017
Rosemary’s mind swirled with confusion and anger.
"If it weren’t for you wrecking everything for the Harris, my parents would still be living high on the hog, the toast of Tranquil City. They’d have more dough than they’d know what to do with, and they could’ve tossed some her way, set her up nice and cozy. This mess is all on you!"
A cold edge laced Rosemary’s voice. "From what I hear, you cut ties with Yvonne the moment you waltzed back into the Harris family. And your so-called loving parents washed their hands of her too.
Yet she’s still taking care of you, shows she’s willing to let bygones be bygones, that she’s got a place in her heart for her daughter."
"Cut the crap, I don’t want to hear it." Yolanda raged, her voice laced with hysteria. "Aren’t you supposed to be some miracle worker?"
She motioned for one of her goons to bring something forward. "Drink this and I’ll let them go. We can settle our score later!"
One of the lackeys approached with a shot glass of sinister-looking liquid. Rosemary caught a whiff - it was laced with a lethal poison. She turned her head, refusing to drink.
She had once concocted a remedy capable of neutralizing the deadliest toxins, but she hadn’t taken the precaution before leaving the house.
After all, her main goal tonight was to confront Stinger at the auction. Moreover, she was supposed to attend a banquet with Romeo later in the evening, so she hadn’t prepared.
The banquet was set to start at seven, and it wasn’t quite time yet. If Romeo couldn’t get a hold of her,he would surely start looking into her whereabouts. But even if he did, it would take him at least an hour
to get there.
And Yolanda’s patience was clearly wearing thin.
At the moment, a couple dozen thugs were holding knives to the faces, necks, and bodies of Joyce and Mya. Edith was strung up high, the rope extending along a track into the building, presumably with the
main switch upstairs.
"Don’t even think about trying anything sneaky!" Yolanda seemed to read Rosemary’s thoughts. "The one hanging there is barely breathing. The switch is on the third floor, and even if you could fly, it would take time. But make one wrong move, and I’ll off your two little friends first!"
Without warning, Yolanda viciously stabbed Mya’s thigh, causing her to tremble in agony. Mya tried to stifle her cries, but muffled sounds of excruciating pain escaped her lips, as if she were suffocating.
"Stop it." Rosemary knew Yolanda was beyond reason; compliance seemed the only option.
"Don’t think I’m playing games with you. I want that poison down your throat in three seconds flat, or I’ll go deeper, and she can kiss her leg goodbye!" There was no room for negotiation in Yolanda’s voice.
The goons’ blades were perilously close to Joyce’s delicate neck, which was already beading with blood.
"I’ll drink."
Rosemary’s decision brought tears to Joyce and Mya’s eyes as they pleaded with her not to do it. But the lackey forced the concoction down Rosemary’s throat.
"Can you let them go now?"
Yolanda’s laughter was maniacal. "I didn’t think you’d be so loyal!"
"Today, I’m going to avenge my parents with my own hands."
Just as Yolanda lunged at her, Rosemary, without warning, spat out a mouthful of blood.
What kind of poison could act so quickly, strong enough to induce blood from the mouth of the unstoppable Rosemary.
Yolanda couldn’t believe her eyes. The once haughty and aloof Rosemary was actually spitting blood, a mix of shock and glee flickered in her gaze.
"The guy didn’t lie to me, the poison in this drug is potent indeed." Yolanda watched Rosemary with a twisted joy, asking expectantly, "Are you feeling like your insides are being ripped apart, like you can’t hold on any longer? Don’t worry, I won’t let you off the hook that easily. This agony is going to torture you for three hours. After that, you’ll die a gruesome death, bleeding from every orifice. In the
meantime, I’ll savor the sight of your impending demise, writhing in pain."
Rosemary felt the poison coursing through her organs.
"Do you know why it’s three hours?" Yolanda taunted, "As much as I’d love to watch you suffer longer,what if Romeo and his gang come to your rescue? So, three hours should suffice!"
It was the perfect plan to torment Rosemary and yet prevent any heroics from Romeo.
Despite Rosemary’s expertise in pharmacology, always taking antidotes before starting a mission, those days were gone.
Her body wasn’t truly invincible against all poisons.
At that moment, she felt an excruciating pain tearing through her, yet aside from a pale complexion, her expression remained as indifferent as ever.
"Now that I’m like this, can my friends go?" Rosemary managed, coughing up another mouthful of blood.
Yolanda was ecstatic, "I’ve no real interest in your two buddies, but the one above has to stay. Who knows if you’ll try something sneaky."
"Fine." To Rosemary, saving even one was a victory, "I just want a moment to say goodbye to my friends."
Her voice was clearly weakening.
"You think you can still trick me?" Yolanda was instantly on guard.
"Do you really fear me that much, to still be wary when I’m like this?" Rosemary’s lips curled into a pale smile.
"Who says I’m afraid of you?" Yolanda was far from scared, signaling her henchman with a glance.
The henchman quickly untied Joyce and Mya, removed the gags from their mouths, and pushed them toward Rosemary.
A knife was still lodged in Mya’s thigh, and the shove made her stumble forward.
Joyce caught her before she fell.
They looked a mess, tears streaming as they turned to Rosemary.
"Rose, are you hurting bad?" Joyce, tears in her eyes, wiped the blood from Rosemary’s mouth, "It’s our fault you’re in this mess."
"Rosemary," Yolanda taunted, tapping her face and neck with the flat of her blade, "where should I start?
Not the neck, that would end you too quickly, and where’s the fun in that? Maybe your face, disfigure you a bit. When Romeo finds you like this, he probably wouldn’t even want to claim your body."
"If you’re going to strike, just do it. Haven’t you heard? Villains die from talking too much."
With her friends gone, Rosemary had no more concerns. Edith was still hanging above, safe from harm for the moment.
What Rosemary was waiting for was for Yolanda to make her move.