billion book
Chapter 8
She suddenly felt a tightening around her neck as Theodore’s fingers closed around her throat, constricting her breath. Her face grew pale as she gasped for air, tears welling up in her eyes.
The pressure on her neck was unrelenting as if he intended to leave bruises on her skin.
Theodore’s voice was low and menacing as he growled, “Did you enjoy flirting with Jasper in front of me?”
Theodore’s grip on Ariana’s neck became more and more intense as if he was trying to squeeze the life out of her, his fingers digging into her delicate skin like sharp claws. She was like a chicken who was about to be slaughtered ruthlessly.
Panic settled in as Ariana realized that Theodore was awake the entire time on their wedding night. He had seen Jasper sneaking into their room.
Desperation to breathe took over Ariana when her life flashed before her eyes. She struggled with all her might and finally broke free from Theodore’s iron grip. Gasping for air, she stumbled back, her eyes wide with fear as she clutched her neck, her throat throbbing painfully.
Theodore’s eyes bored into her, and for a moment, he seemed to take pleasure in her panic. But when his gaze fell on her belly, his expression twisted into one of pure malice. A cold, cruel glint flickered in his eyes, sending shivers down Ariana’s spine.
“You'd better hope that you're not pregnant,” he hissed, his voice laced with venom. “Because if you are, I'll make sure it never sees the light of day.”
Astrangled sound escaped from her throat, and she coughed uncontrollably, struggling to calm her nerves. Ariana felt that Theodore really wanted to kill her a moment ago.
Her heart sank as she heard the threat in his words. Theodore was every bit as ruthless as Jasper had warned her. Maybe even worse.
In a desperate bid to save her own life, Ariana lowered her head, her voice trembling with fear as she tried to explain herself. “Theodore, please listen to me. | broke up with Jasper, and | never slept with him...”
“Shut up and get out!” Theodore’s patience ran out, and his face twisted into an icy mask. “| never want to see your face again.”
Ariana realized that convincing Theodore was impossible, no matter how much she tried. She hastened to make her escape, but on her way out, she collided with a sophisticated gentleman in a sleek suit.
Trembling, she apologized quickly and bolted out of Theodore’s room, not daring to look back.
Once Horace Silence strode into the room, he immediately observed Theodore’s intense gaze fixed on the spot where Ariana had vanished. It was as if he was lost in deep contemplation, mulling over something of great importance.
After a moment's reflection, Horace placed a test report on the nearby bedside table. “According to the doctor, your body is healthy, and after some remedial exercises of your legs, you can fully recover. He will
continue to cooperate with your orders and pretend that your legs are disabled. Everyone in the Anderson family believes it,” Horace reported to his boss.
Theodore smiled, the satisfaction clear in his eyes. “Let's keep them in the dark for a little longer. | want them to think they are invincible before | destroy them.”
Horace then took out another document. “Boss, this contains information about your new wife, Ariana Edwards,” he said, fulfilling his duty as a senior assistant. Horace moved to place the document on the bedside table, but Theodore snatched it from him.
Horace was a bit surprised. Then he spoke with a touch of hesitancy, “You may be surprised to hear this, boss, but Ms. Edwards lived a miserable life. Her life has been marked by a series of unfortunate events that have left her with little recourse. She lost her mother at the tender age of 13, and shortly thereafter, her father remarried a woman who brought with her a girl. The girl is Ms. Edwards’ younger half-sister. The existence of Ms. Edwards’ stepmother and half-sister was clear proof that her father had been cheating on her mother for ages.