The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never
Chapter 1967

Leading them inside, Hannah found herself and her companions facing seven or eight guns.

Wilfred, cigar in mouth, sat back in the study chair, applauding slowly.

“Miss Moore, you’re quite the fighter.

It’s a shame you don’t work for me.”

He was watching a video on his iPad of Hannah’s earlier confrontation.

“Put down your gun, and let’s talk.”

Surveying the room calmly, Hannah responded, “With all these guns pointed at me, do you think I’d just surrender mine?”

..

Library

Wilfred signaled his men to lower their weapons.

“I was sure you’d return.

The hospital is no place for the kind of discussions we need to have.

Now that you’re here, we can negotiate terms.”

Wilfred chuckled when Hannah remained silent.

“Relax, take a seat.

I won’t Let anything happen to you.”

“No, thanks,” Hannah replied coldly.

“This is my father’s study.

I want you out now!”

“Where’s your respect?” Wilfred challenged, lighting a cigarette.

“It doesn’t really matter whether you’re with Wallace or me.

I can offer you more.

Don’t waste your breath on family ties.

You’ve only discovered he’s your father recently.

What depth could there possibly be to your relationship?”

Wilfred’s arms opened wide, his eyes sparkling with conviction.

“The Compton family is affluent, and I know you’re after their wealth.

That makes us the best option for cooperation.”

Hannah’s sneer was icy.

“Cooperation? That word has no place between us.

I suggest you back down.

You will never lead the Comptons.”

“That’s not for you to decide!” retorted Wilfred.

He took a long drag from his cigar, exhaling a dense cloud of smoke.

With a whoosh, his companions raised their weapons, aiming at Hannah.

“Capable allies are valuable to me, but if they aren’t with me, I remove them quickly,” he declared.

A gunshot followed that.

Hannah’s eyes narrowed.

Gunfire erupted.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Luckily, a bookshelf nearby provided cover.

Hannah, Dotson, and Dilan moved swiftly, dodging the gunfire and taking cover.

Papers exploded around the room as bullets tore through them.

“Damn it! Who fired?” Wilfred slammed his fist on the table and stood.

“Boss, we thought you wanted us to shoot-“

“Don’t you understand what negotiation means? I was only threatening her! Who authorized this?” Wilfred snapped.

Just then, the butler rushed in, announcing, “A message from the Lyons family for Miss Moore!”

Wilfred impatiently returned his cigar to his lips and clapped to signal his men.