Chapter 299

Chapter 299

Howard's methods weren't exactly gentle, but this was domestic territory—he had to show restraint. These people would face legal consequences soon enough.

"Aren't you worried about prison?" Howard asked, watching Aurelius with calculating eyes.

Aurelius's expression dripped with contempt. "I'm in spiritual retreat—I don't take lives. Ask them yourself—they all had unfortunate accidents, slipped and fell on their own." 

He then gestured to his men, who promptly removed the gags from the two cowering figures.

"We're sorry! We never meant any harm—those women made us do it! We were just trying to make ends meet!" one blubbered desperately.

"Please, have mercy! We have families to feed—if something happens to us, what will become of our children and elderly parents?"

Now they wanted to play the sympathy card. Howard stepped forward, ready to deliver his own brand of justice, but Aurelius caught his arm. "Beneath your dignity."

Instead, Aurelius wrapped his knuckles in clean cloth and drove his fist into both men's faces with devastating precision. The sickening crunch of teeth hitting cold concrete echoed through the basement.

Both men collapsed to their knees, groveling. "Sorry! We accidentally ran into your fist—hope we didn't hurt your hand, sir!"

Someone brought Aurelius a basin of water. He unwrapped his knuckles methodically, washing his hands with deliberate calm. "You need to build a life here and protect Katherine. Let me handle the dirty work—you just observe. And Katherine never learns about any of this." His hand settled on Howard's shoulder with quiet authority.

Aurelius had the luxury of foreign citizenship and connections that kept him untouchable. Howard couldn't afford such complications.

The bound women watched in terror, their eyes bulging with fear as they shook their heads frantically, muffled sounds escaping their gags.

Howard's gaze swept the room until he found Laura, who was struggling desperately, silently begging him to intervene on her behalf.

Aurelius nodded to his men again, and Stella's gag was removed. She gasped for air, her chest heaving violently.

"Howard, you have no idea, do you? Katherine is nothing but a filthy whore! Look at this man beside you—anyone can see he's slept with her. Now everyone knows what kind of woman she really is. Aren't you embarrassed?" Stella's voice dripped with venom.

Howard's face darkened like a storm cloud. Before he could move, Aurelius kicked Stella's chair over, sending her crashing to the floor in an awkward heap.

"These ladies all come from influential families. You wouldn't dare cross Emerald City's elite," Stella spat from the ground.

Howard's lips curved into a cold smile as he exchanged glances with Aurelius. "I've already sent for your families. Let's see just how powerful Emerald City's elite really are when it comes to slander and harassment."

At the mention of their husbands, the socialites fell silent. Most were trophy wives who spent their days on beauty treatments and meaningless social gatherings, completely removed from any real business dealings. They lived in constant fear of being replaced or cheated on, with no recourse for complaint.

Of course, there was always one who couldn't keep quiet. "Howard, your company just signed contracts with us! If my husband finds out about this, you can kiss that business goodbye!"

Laura seized her moment. "I'm your mother! Maybe not by blood, but we're still family. Your grandmother is at home—if something happens to me, who'll take care of her? Can you handle that responsibility?"

Howard's laugh was ice-cold. "The question is whether Grandmother is in your hands or Elijah is in mine. If anything happens to her, I'll make sure Elijah joins her in the grave. That's a promise." His voice carried absolute conviction.

Laura's face turned ashen, and she didn't dare utter another word.

Soon, the so-called "Emerald City elite" began arriving. One woman immediately started whining to her husband. "Darling, look! The ropes left marks on my wrists. Howard has no respect for you at all! We should cancel our partnership with them!"

A sharp slap cracked across her face. "Shut up, you stupid woman! You're going to bankrupt us with your mouth! Of all people to cross, you had to provoke these two devils!" The man turned to grovel before Howard and Aurelius.

"Gentlemen, I've heard so much about you both but never had the honor of meeting you personally. Whatever this foolish woman has done, please feel free to discipline her as you see fit!"

The woman, still reeling from the slap, wouldn't stop. "Why did you hit me? I was kidnapped and tied up for no reason! Are you trying to divorce me?"

Her husband's fist connected with her jaw, knocking her unconscious instantly. "My sincere apologies—she's been sheltered too long and doesn't understand how the world works. But we've been married for years, so I beg you to let me take her home."

After a silent exchange between Aurelius and Howard, they released the man. One by one, those with minor offenses were freed, leaving only Stella, her mother, and Laura.

Laura sat rigid in her chair, lips pressed into a thin line. Stella's mother had changed her tune, now pleading desperately. "My daughter is young and foolish—I failed to raise her properly. If you need to vent your anger, take it out on me, not Stella."

Aurelius's smile was razor-sharp. "Years ago, when Katherine was pregnant and you tried to burn her alive, who begged for her mercy?"

Howard's vision flashed red with rage. He untied Laura's ropes and had her escorted out, then found a length of fuse wire and lit it, securing it to both women's chairs. The area around them was littered with flammable materials and gasoline.

"Today, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor," he said with a cold smile, his dark brows drawn tight with fury. "Come on, Aurelius. Thanks for today. I'll handle Arabella personally—Katherine won't suffer any more indignities."

"You'd better keep that promise. Want me to babysit the old woman?" Aurelius gestured toward Laura.

Howard considered, then nodded. "Don't harm her—she's still Martinez family. I have other plans for her."

"Of course. Katherine having a mother-in-law like that is nothing but trouble. I'll use my own methods to... adjust her attitude. Get on the helicopter—I'll take you to the hospital."

One month later, at the hospital.

Katherine drifted back to consciousness after what felt like an eternity. When she opened her eyes, she was surrounded by faces—three small heads pressed close to her bedside, along with Howard, Michael, Monica, and even Aurelius, who'd apparently flown in from Valdoria.

She blinked slowly, pinched her own cheek, and spoke in a voice rough as sandpaper. "Am I in heaven? Why are there so many people here?"