Chapter 62:
âYes, sir.â
Darrel, already fed up with their racket, decided to cut it short and had someone grab a tool.
Allison had to stifle a laugh as she watched them haul Lindy up. She observed as his men used the pole, usually employed by sanitation workers to retrieve trash from the water, to pull Lindy up.
Quickly, they crudely and directly pulled her out.
Lindy, having narrowly escaped, returned to the shore in complete disgrace.
Sprawled on the ground and struggling to catch her breath, Lindy gasped, âYou⦠filthy scoundrels! Youâll regret this! Iâll makeâ¦â
But before her threat could fully escape her lips, Kellan stepped forward, his presence radiating cold, menacing energy.
âLindy, if youâre looking for death, go right ahead.â
The measured approach of his black leather shoes was like the slow, deliberate prowl of a predator closing in.
Lindy was seized with such terror she could barely breathe. Her gaze trailed up his perfectly tailored trousers, only to meet his mocking stare, sharp with a deadly intent.
This wasnât a bluff â he could really crush her fingers. Realizing the danger she was in, Lindy bowed her head, swallowing hard. âWe⦠weâll leaveâ¦â
She had wanted to spit out curses, but her voice wavered as she struggled to her feet. She was tightly clutching Melanyâs hand like it was her last tether to safety.
âLetâs just say I was blind to fall into the lake,â she muttered. Although Lindy was reluctant, she understood that it was best not to provoke Kellan.
His voice was super cold, enough to freeze oneâs blood, and it really shook her up.
Melany, equally furious but smart enough to bite her tongue, nodded. âFine. Letâs go!â
She didnât dare even glance at Allison, knowing all too well that when pushed, Allison could be just as terrifying as Kellan. And with that, Melany helped Lindy up, and the two left in humiliation.
When they left, the atmosphere relaxed, and the air itself seemed to clear.
âMs. Clarke, I apologize⦠I truly mishandled this.â
Darrel exhaled a long sigh, pulling a name tag from his suit pocket.
His former confident demeanor had faded, replaced by a look of genuine remorse.
The thought of his nephew Santinoâs arrogance, and the insult to Allison, brought a deep ache to his chest.
âIâm certain Santino has made more than one mistake over the years,â he admitted with a heavy sigh. âItâs on me for failing to rein him in. So, aside from demotingâ¦â
âMyself, Iâd like to give all my assets to you, Ms. Clarke. Without you, I wouldnât be here today.â Now that Santino was out of the picture, Darrel felt an overwhelming urge to repay his debt to Allison, no matter the cost.
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