Chapter 111

Tarquin’s eyes widened in shock, and he quickly grabbed Elysia’s wrist!

However, since he was holding a cigarette between his other fingers, his instinctive concern about burning her triggered a reflex, and he shifted that hand to the side..

And then, Elysia seized her opportunity.

With one wrist in Tarquin’s grasp, she used her free hand to strike, scratching and biting like a wildcat.

Lowell and Keaton were dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events, their mouths agape in disbelief. It took Lowell a good few seconds to snap out of his stupor and try to intervene.

“Ms. Thorne, please, let’s calm down and talk this out…”

“Stay out of this, it’s none of your business,” Keaton said, standing up to pull Lowell away.

“What are you doing. Mr. Huber? Tarquin and Ms. Thorne…”

“They’re sorting out their own mess. Don’t meddle.”

Lowell was speechless.

After Keaton dragged Lowell out, he enthusiastically closed the door for Tarquin, then offered Lowell a cigarette.

“Tarquin’s a man’s man; he’s not afraid of a dame. He can handle this, no need to worry. Here, have a smoke with me.”

Lowell was conflicted. “You’re getting back at Tarquin with Ms. Thorne because he called your sis on you. You guys are friends, why keep score?”

Keaton countered, “Fair’s fair, even among friends. He mocked me for being scared of a lady, so let him see how fierce they can be.”

“Still, I worry Ms. Thorne might be at a disadvantage; Tarquin has a temper.”

Keaton scoffed. “Does Ms. Thorne look like a pushover to you? And sure, Tarquin’s got a fuse, but he’s fair. He’s the one who’s going to end up shortchanged here.”

Lowell pressed his lips together, realizing Keaton was just enjoying the spectacle of Tarquin’s troubles.

Inside the room, Tarquin had finally subdued Elysia, his temper flaring like a three–alarm fire.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Who’s lost it?” Elysia retorted. “And you, a grown man, resorting to such low tactics! Aren’t you ashamed? Don’t you fear karmic retribution? To stoop so low against a woman, to lay hands on a five–

year–old child! I felt a twinge of sympathy for you when thinking of Elijah before, but now it’s clear–you deserve no pity!”

Earlier that day, when Jessamine spoke of the years of hardship, Elysia had spared a thought for 09:40 Tarquin, Jessamine had her husband for support, while Tarquin had nobody to share his burdens with.

For a fleeting moment, Elysia had felt a pang of compassion for him, but that sliver of sympathy had now evaporated like mist in the sun!

To coerce her into spilling what he deemed the ‘truth,‘ he had stooped to kidnapping a five–year–old. To use such tactics against a woman, a mother, was nothing short of a sin against heaven!

“I’m warning you, don’t push me,” Elysia threatened with a fire in her eyes. “Even a cornered rabbit will bite. Push me too far, and I’ll take you down with me!”

“You…” Tarquin growled, “You’re riddled with suspicion! It’s not unjust for me to doubt you!”

Elysia let out a bitter laugh, incredulous at his gall. “Oh, so now you’re the one with the right to accuse?

You oppress others and then blame them for it? You… you… you despicable man, I’ll make you pay!”

Fueled by rage, she attempted to lash out at him again, but this time Tarquin had pinned both her hands, rendering her powerless.

Unable to hit him, she resorted to biting!

Elysia bit down hard, causing Tarquin to wince in pain. With a grimace, he flipped over, pinning Elysia beneath him on the couch.