Chapter 87 Forcing Him to Make a Decision
Juniper shot him a sharp glare over her shoulder, sharp enough to cut glass. If she hadn't needed Lester to deal with Isabella, she wouldn't have wasted a single breath on him.
Lester only shrugged, flashing a grin full of teeth but devoid of warmth. "Pretend I didn't say a word. Go on, keep playing your part."
He knew exactly what Juniper was doing—exploiting him as a tool. But he was no stranger to the game. He was using her too, exploiting her knowledge of William to wound the man who had once been his enemy.
Years ago, he had helped her burn Beatrice alive. Now he was helping her abduct Isabella. Every crime was another card in his hand, leverage he could cash in when the moment came. And when that moment came, Juniper would never escape him.
They were parasites living off each other. Lester was content to wait, to watch William suffer, to see his life reduced to ashes.
He would pay William back for everything—twice over.
Juniper released her grip and ordered someone to bring a wooden chair. They set it beside Isabella, and Juniper sat down.
"Do it fast. William will find this place soon."
Lester stepped closer, tilting her chin up. Without warning, his palm cracked against her face. Juniper's head snapped to the side, rage flaring in her eyes.
"Are you insane? Why the hell did you hit me?"
He slapped her again, this time smiling. "Relax. I'm just making it look real. William knows how much I hate him. If you're sitting here untouched, he'll smell a trap."
Juniper's brow furrowed. As much as she hated to admit it, he had a point.
Her cheek burned hot, proof Lester never held back. She made a silent vow—once Isabella was gone, Lester would be next. No one who knew her secrets would be allowed to live.
Lester bound her himself, stuffing a cloth between her teeth. Then he moved to Isabella, raising his hand as if to strike, but hesitated.
Half her face was wrapped in gauze, her injuries raw and seeping through the bandages. The rough handling during her capture had torn her wounds open. He lowered his hand, frowning.
Juniper stomped her foot in irritation, but before she could speak, one of Lester's men burst through the door. "Boss, William's here. He's got people with him."
Lester's smile was pure satisfaction. "Good. Get everything ready. Let him in."
Isabella turned to Juniper. Beneath that smug smile, she could already guess what Juniper planned to do.
Earlier that day, Isabella had told her William would never love her. Now Juniper intended to prove otherwise—to show that no matter the circumstance, William would choose her.
It was desperate, Isabella realized. Juniper wasn't as confident as she pretended to be. That made her pathetic.
Juniper met Isabella's gaze, lips curling upward. She believed she wouldn't lose. William would love her—he had to.
Outside, heavy bootfalls pounded against concrete. The warehouse door crashed open, and William stormed in with his men.
"Stop right there. Don't move!"
Lester's voice cut through the air, cold and sharp. William froze, his eyes locking instantly on Isabella.
Juniper blinked, startled. He had looked at Isabella first—ignored the fact that she was bound right beside him. He hadn't even glanced at the speaker before fixing his attention on Isabella.
"William," Lester drawled. "Long time no see."
William turned, recognition hitting him like a punch. His pupils widened, and hatred flooded his face.
"Lester?" he spat the name through clenched teeth. "You're still alive?"
Lester grinned. "Sorry to disappoint. I'm not only alive—I'm back."
William's fists tightened. "Don't do anything stupid, or I'll make sure you die twice."
Lester spread his hands. "Doesn't matter. My life's worthless anyway. I came back for one reason—revenge. You know I've wanted to kill you for years."
Years ago, in the war between the Spencer family and the Harrison family, William had crushed the Harrisons completely. He had driven Lester's parents to their deaths and severed one of Lester's fingers himself.
Every day Lester had lived since then was a day spent plotting payback.
Only now did William notice Juniper's tear-streaked face, her cheeks swollen, blood on the corner of her mouth. She looked pitiful.
His jaw clenched so hard it hurt. He glared at Lester like he was already a corpse.
"If you've got a problem, take it out on me. Let them go."
"Oh, I'm not like you," Lester said lightly. "I can't crush people in broad daylight. I had to lure you here."
He stepped between the two women, a knife in his hand, resting it casually on their shoulders.
William's eyes burned, especially when Lester leaned toward Isabella. He wanted to tear him apart.
The blade kissed Juniper's neck. Lester smirked. "Two beautiful women before you. But today, you only get to take one home. Choose."
William's voice was steel. "I'm taking them both."
"You're still greedy," Lester said with a laugh. "Remember how you forced me back then? If you don't choose, I'll kill them both."
Juniper shook her head violently, muffled sobs spilling past the cloth in her mouth. The sound tightened something deep in William's chest.
Isabella, however, was calm, her gaze steady. No fear. She already knew the outcome.
She knew William would never choose her.
Lester yanked the cloth from Juniper's mouth. She gasped, then blurted, "William, forget me. Take Isabella. Save her."
William's brow furrowed, his chest heavy.
The blade traced a shallow cut across each woman's shoulder. William stepped forward, but Lester barked, "Don't move. One twitch and I'll slice a throat. You're decisive, aren't you? So decide—your wife, or the one you can't live without."
William's teeth ground together. He had never wanted to kill a man more.
Lester's tone softened mockingly. "Don't worry. I won't cut off the one you don't choose. I'll just cut off a finger. Like mine."
He raised his hand, the missing finger stark against the dim light.
"You remember, don't you? You cut it off yourself. Today, I'll make the one you leave behind feel exactly what I felt."
Juniper spoke quickly. "William, Isabella needs her hands to paint. She carries Beatrice's dreams. Don't let her be hurt. I'm fine. Save her."
William's mind snagged on the words. Isabella, carrying Beatrice's dreams? How could she?
Lester flicked his gaze toward his men. They grabbed the women's hands, looking to William for the signal.
"Think fast. One hand, or both."
William's pulse hammered. Juniper's fear was plain, but she tried to look strong. He couldn't stand it.
Isabella's detachment was worse—like none of this mattered.
Juniper loved her beauty. Losing a finger would destroy her. Isabella… she deserved whatever came.
Lester lifted the knife, smiling. "I'll count to three. If you don't choose, I'll take them both. And keep them as souvenirs."