Chapter 76
As Dominic’s words hung in the air, Laura’s eyes widened, her face a swirling storm of shock, confusion, and bitter resentment. The raw weight of his declaration crashed over her like a relentless wave. Why does everyone seem so intent on punishing me? she wondered, the question gnawing at her spirit like a poison. Her heart thudded unevenly, caught between disbelief and fury, and she struggled to reconcile her fractured sense of self with the brutal reality closing in.
Dominic’s brow furrowed, sharpening into a scowl as he studied the tangled expression twisting Laura’s features. She’s as ignorant and selfish as ever, he thought with a grim certainty. His gaze darkened, tracing the lines of her vulnerability laid bare beneath her defiance.
He considered the venomous accusations Laura had just leveled against Georgia. She claims Georgia’s pitiful act is nothing but a sham, Dominic mused silently. But I know better. If Georgia had been fabricating her pain, she wouldn’t have tensed up so visibly when I confronted her. Nor would she have been so rattled when I uncovered her secret.
His mind flicked back to Georgia’s guarded behavior–the way she concealed the monstrous scar on her waist beneath layers of clothing, how she recoiled from touch and refused to expose herself to anyone. If Georgia wanted sympathy, why hide the truth? Dominic wondered. If it weren’t for chance, that secret might have stayed buried forever.
His thoughts paused briefly before he pulled out his phone and made a terse call. Within moments, two tall, imposing men appeared at the doorway, their movements sharp and purposeful.
Dominic gestured toward Laura, who slumped weakly against the wall, and said, “This is Miss Savio. She claims she wants to learn how to swim. Conveniently, there’s a pond in my garden. Teach her. Make sure she learns, no matter what. And don’t worry–Miss Savio doesn’t mind going through a rough time.”
The two men exchanged knowing glances, quickly understanding Dominic’s unspoken directive. Without hesitation, they grasped Laura firmly and hauled her to her feet.
“Let go of me! I don’t want to learn to swim! Help!” Laura’s protests were frantic and desperate, but her struggles were futile against their iron grip. Her limbs burned Chapter Unlocked, Enjoy Reading! pain threatening to snap her arms.
“Mr. Foster! You can’t do this! I’ll sue you–I swear I will!” she screamed, her voice cracking with rage and fear as they dragged her away.
All she could see was Dominic, standing cool and detached, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
He glanced up briefly and instructed the men, “Keep her alive. I have no time to waste on needless complications.”
“Understood, Alpha Dominic,” one of the men replied with a respectful nod.
“Mr. Foster, don’t be fooled by Georgia’s act! I’m the one for you–not her!” boura’s voice broke as she shouted, her desperation bare and raw,
Dominic’s eyes flashed with impatience. “Miss Savio, have I ever told you how sick you make me?”
“What did you say, Mr. Foster?” Laura’s voice was tinged with red–hot anger, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
“Didn’t you hear what Preston said? You should never have let Georgia replace you: That’s why you’re being punished twice today. You’re a joke. You know I’m behind all this, yet you cling to your pathetic fantasies, thinking I’m some fool. Do you really believe I’m as stupid as you are?”
Dominic knew Preston well enough to find his earlier restraint odd. Preston’s punishment of Laura had been minimal before he left with his men. The truth Dominic didn’t know was that Preston had promised Georgia he wouldn’t kill Laura. He left her in Dominic’s hands to deal with.
Dominic himself had no intention of ending Laura’s life just yet. He was biding his time.
The two men hauled Laura toward the pond in the garden. The pond sparkled under the fading light, its surface dotted with floating leaves and gliding fish, the product of careful maintenance.
Without hesitation, they unceremoniously dumped her into the water.
Laura flailed, struggling to find her footing as the muddy bottom shifted beneath her. Her legs slipped on the slick ground, and she staggered desperately, attempting to reach the shore.
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But before she could escape, the men forced her back into the pond’s depths.
One of them waded in, towering over her, and pressed her head down beneath the cold water.
“Let go! You’re breaking the law!” Laura gasped, sputtering as she fought to free herself.
The man’s voice was cold and unyielding. “Looks like you still have a lot to learn about swimming.” He pushed harder, refusing to let her surface.
Water filled her lungs, choking her breath, and panic surged. Each second felt like an eternity as she struggled against the merciless pressure.
Slowly, resignation began to settle over her. No matter what she said or did, nothing would alter the grim course she was on. Desperation clawed at her chest, squeezing the last threads of hope from her.
Meanwhile, Dominic lounged in the living room, indifferent to the punishment unfolding in his garden. He flicked through television channels, his eyes glazed and distant.
After more than half an hour, the two men returned, their expressions grim.
“Alpha Dominic, we did as you ordered. We tried to teach her to swim, but she was too inept. She swallowed too much water. Her condition prevented her from continuing.”
“Where is she?” Dominic asked without diverting his gaze from the screen.
“In the back garden.”
He glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. Send Miss Savio away.”
“Yes, Alpha Dominic.”
As twilight deepened into night, the villa’s door swung open, and Laura was unceremoniously thrown out.
Her entire body ached, her throat raw and burning from violent coughing fits. Water clung to her drenched clothes, chilled by the night air. She shivered violently as the cold wind bit through her skin.
Her eyes burned with fierce hatred, dark and wild like a storm about to break. The world around her seemed suddenly smaller and more hostile, as if she wanted to tear it apart with her bare hands.
It’s all Georgia’s fault, she seethed inwardly. If it weren’t for Georgia, none of this would have happened. Georgia said she’d plead for me–a liar, a hypocrite! She never lifted a finger on my behalf.
Limping along the road, water dripping from her soaked clothes, Laura’s mind churned with bitter resolve.
I will have my revenge. Georgia, you’re not escaping this.
