Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 951

In a dimly lit room, Endora Melford was unceremoniously thrown in by one of Parker Doonan's men.

The woman landed on the filthy, damp floor, surrounded by an eerie atmosphere. Endora looked up, taking in the chaotic environment and the nearly dark lighting, with bizarre metal racks beside her, a shiver running down her spine. From the moment she was bound and brought here, Parker hadn't uttered a single word to her.

Endora had some inkling that this was Parker's way of avoiding a public confrontation at the police station.

She was adept at playing the victim and feigning ignorance, never admitting to anything until absolutely necessary.

Groaning, Endora picked herself up from the ground, only to find Parker's towering figure standing in front of her, blocking the only source of light from the ceiling.

The harsh light illuminated his chiseled features, casting a sinister shadow that made the already formidable man seem even more menacing.

Endora shuddered inwardly, her eyes feigning innocence, "Parker, I don't understand what you're talking about? Kidnapping Cherry...?"

One of his men brought over a chair.

Parker sat down, his expression unreadable, his words light as he spoke, "You choose this moment to kidnap a child, what were you planning to do with her?

Kill her, to prevent me from proving she's mine?"

"Did you really think, you foolish woman, that there's something called intuition?"

Endora's eyes flickered; he had guessed her intentions.

Without waiting for a reply, Parker stood up, his lean figure like a drawn sword, advancing towards Endora, "If you dare harm my child, I'll make sure you won't leave this room in one piece. Bring me a knife!" His command was chilling, his handsome face eerily calm.

A knife was promptly handed to him, not a kitchen knife, nor a dagger, but a butcher's knife like those used in meat stalls, its blade as menacing as a gaping maw, convincing Endora it could easily sever bone. She stumbled backward in horror, accidentally falling to the ground.

Parker lightly traced the knife's edge, his eyes downcast, "I want two things from you. First, where did your people take the child? Second, hand over the antidote."

Endora stared at his unfazed expression, beneath which lay his terrifying methods.

But he couldn't possibly be as calm as he appeared.

After all, Cherry's life was in her hands!

Despite her fear of the man, Endora reminded herself she was the one in control.

"You think making a scene like this will make me less inclined to cut you?" Parker's eyes narrowed at her, the knife moving slightly in his grasp.

Seeing her reaction, Parker couldn't help but laugh at her audacity.

"Parker, don't be so heartless! If you hadn't publicly humiliated me at our wedding, causing my family's downfall, and then insulted me further by marrying Tiana Melford, I wouldn't harbor such resentment towards you. Since you're unwilling to give me anything, and now that you know about Cherry's parentage, it's either do or die for me. Before you get angry, why not go all out and bring you down with me?

Your dear daughter, whom you've yet to acknowledge, might soon be parted from you forever!

Of course, there could be a chance for her to survive, but that's up to you.

If you let go of everything I've done, spare the Melford family, and ensure your father doesn't devour us whole, then, after my parents and I are safe, and you give us ten billion, maybe Cherry will appear alive. Otherwise, if I become a corpse, she'll surely follow!"

After her tirade, she didn't expect Parker to simply laugh off her threats.

Staring at the knife, he looked at her as if she'd told a great joke, his voice cold, "Let the Melford family go free and give you ten billion to live happily ever after? Endora, are you out of your mind?" Endora stiffened at his mockery.

Although she knew Parker was unlikely to agree, she pressed, "Think about it, she's your only daughter. For three years, you didn't know who she was, couldn't acknowledge her. Are you willing to take that gamble?"

"Do you think I'm willing to gamble?" Parker approached her, knife in hand. "Scream!" Endora shrieked as her hair was cleanly cut off on one side.

She immediately clutched her face, terrified that her flesh had been sliced.

Parker, expressionless, tossed the knife aside and grabbed her throat, "You have no room to negotiate. Where is she?"

"Please, no," Endora struggled on the dirty floor, her hands desperately trying to loosen his increasingly tightening grip.

She was gasping for air but knew this was a psychological battle she couldn't afford to lose, "I won't tell you anything until you agree to my terms. And let me remind you, Parker, if you harm me, Cherry will suffer the same fate. Go ahead, try me!"

Parker scoffed at her attempt to intimidate him, "You think I've been the master of my domain for over a decade for nothing? Such threats might work on novices, but not on me. If you're so stubborn, expecting me to compromise, then let's see how you like this 'sweetener.""

Without any warning, he twisted her arm in a sudden, agonizing move, leaving her wrist grotesquely disfigured, like a chicken claw twisted out of shape.

Endora screamed in terror at the sight of her dislocated wrist, her cries echoing in the cold, unforgiving room.

"That's obviously not cutting it, is it? You chose silence, remember?" Parker's smile was cruel, tainted with a sinister gleam. Every time he thought about the torment Tiana had endured under Endora's schemes over the past three years, and the countless times Cherry had been the target of Endora's clandestine plots, a sharp pain throbbed in his chest, igniting a wildfire of rage.

He couldn't even see Endora as a woman anymore; she had forfeited that right long ago.

His grip tightened around her other wrist, twisting it playfully yet menacingly, ready to inflict more pain. Endora, overwhelmed by the excruciating agony, let out a desperate scream, "Please! Don't break my arm!" "Where's the antidote?" Parker asked, his voice cold and devoid of any compassion.