Chapter 1764: Chapter 1777

Sadie’s response was a cold sneer.

“Oh, you’ve figured it all out, huh? This just got more interesting.

”

“What are you saying?” Ariana suddenly tensed up.

“Don’t you understand? My greatest desire is to see you suffer a fate worse than death.

” Sadie’s smile was chilling as she taunted, “Imagine how devastated you’d be if Adele were dead.

”

Shock widened Ariana’s eyes as she stared at Sadie, who was smeared with blood, whose, she couldn’t tell.

With one hand, Sadie held Adele captive.

With the other, she pressed a pair of scissors against Adele’s neck.

“No!” Ariana’s face drained of all color, her fear palpable.

She struggled to gather her wits, her voice trembling.

“Sadie, please.

As long as you don’t harm my child, we can talk this through.

I’ll do anything.

”

Sadie’s gaze bore into Ariana, her expression unreadable.

The tense silence stretched between them.

.

.

Library

Little Adele, terrified by the cold scissors pressed against her neck, wailed for her mother.

Her cries grew hoarse, tearing at Ariana’s heart.

“Quiet!” Sadie snapped, her patience fraying.

“I’m your mother.

Call that woman your mother again, and I’ll kill you right here!”

Hearing this, Adele was very scared.

She clamped her mouth shut, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

Ariana’s eyes turned red.

Adele was innocent-just a child caught in a nightmare far beyond her understanding.

“What do you want from me?” Ariana demanded, her voice raw with emotion.

She didn’t want to waste time anymore.

“Take me instead! I’ll trade my life for Adele’s.

”

Sadie’s eyes raked over Ariana, disbelief etched on her face.

“You’d really give your life for hers?”

“Yes.

” Ariana’s resolve was unwavering, determination evident on her face.

A harsh laugh escaped Sadie’s lips.

“No,” she sneered.

“Your life is worthless to me!”

Confusion furrowed Ariana’s brow.

“I don’t understand.

Don’t you hate me? Let Adele go.

I’m offering myself for whatever torture you have in mind.

Why refuse me?”

“Oh, I hate you,” Sadie said, her eyes glittering with malice.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this mess.

But the child…”

Her grip on Adele tightened.

“She only cares about you now.

I can’t stand it.

So, I’ve decided to let her die as well!”

The realization hit Ariana like a physical blow-Sadie had completely lost her grip on sanity.

Ariana fought to keep her voice steady.

“If anything happens to Adele, you’re signing your own death warrant.

Sadie, can’t you see? Your own ambition and greed led you here, not me!”

“Shut up!” Sadie exclaimed in anger.

“This is all your fault!”

In her hysteria, the scissors nicked Adele’s delicate skin.

“Please! Calm down!” Panic surged through Ariana.

She bowed her head, words tumbling out in desperate supplication.

“I’m sorry! It’s all my fault.

Take your anger out on me; do whatever you want, just… Please, leave Adele out of this.

I’m begging you.

”