Chapter 67 Chapter 67
Landon's footsteps halted abruptly. He turned to face Zach.
Surprisingly calm, Zach continued, "Mr. Norman ordered me to cut off the finger. Ms. Hill didn't dare confront Mr. Norman, so she came after me instead. Mr. Norman? He just wanted to make his woman happy, so he pushed me into it."
Had they not been sevaral meters apart, Landon would have kicked him again.
They were close to Grace, so Landon couldn't yell. Instead, he lowered his voice and gritted his teeth, cursing, "You idiot! Benjamin remembers this. Look at your pathetic guts! Even if he won't let her cut off your hand, what's one chopped finger? It's not like she's cutting off your dick!”
“Why would she cut off my dick? I didn't cut off her husband's dick," Zach said, scratching his head, clearly not convinced.
This time, Landon was so furious that he jabbed Zach several times with his finger, then turned away without a word. After taking a few steps forward, he abruptly stopped, spun back around, walked behind Zach, and kicked him. He yelled, "Hey! What do you mean Mr. Norman ordered you to do it? You're Benjamin’s most loyal henchman!"
Several more kicks sent Zach tumbling all the way to the lakeside.
Grace had risen from the stone bench long ago and was watching them expressionlessly.
Zach was still arguing back, but Grace had already understood the meaning of his words—they were meant for her.
The implication was clear: This was her entanglement with Benjamin, and Zach was merely an obedient tool.
Half a minute later, Landon and Zach reached Grace. Landon smiled and greeted her, then pulled Zach toward her from behind. "Ms. Hill," he said. "This idiot's here. Just tell me what you want done to him, and I'll handle it."
Grace said nothing, only glared at Landon until he broke out in goosebumps. Then she turned to Zach and cut straight to the point. She held out her hand. "Give me the thing."
Zach glanced at Landon, immediately earning another kick. Landon barked, "What are you looking at me for? Just give her the thing!"
Finally, Zach fished a set of keys from his pocket and carefully placed them in Grace's palm. He explained, "I returned the keys to Mr. Norman that day. These are the ones Landon gave me this morning. I didn't go get them duplicated.”
Zach shifted all the blame onto Benjamin and Landon, casting himself as the innocent victim. Landon gritted his teeth in fury, inwardly cursing, This idiot isn't dumb at all—he sure knows how to sell out others cleanly.
Grace gave a faint, cold smile, turned, and flung the key forcefully into the depths of the lake. She faced Zach again, her hands still outstretched. "And?"
Zach reached into his pocket and pulled out Grace's secret phone, placing it in her hand. He continued, "I wanted to return the phone to you right away, but Landon said it was better to throw it in the river than give it back. Then I got busy and forgot it was in my pocket. I finally dug it out of that day's clothes. I didn't look at anything inside.”
Grace's face remained expressionless, but Landon beside her couldn't contain his frustration. He stepped forward and smacked Zach hard on the back of the head. He yelled, "Who said you shouldn't return it? Shifting the blame onto me again?"
The two began bickering in front of Grace. She recognized their act and ignored them. She flung the phone into the lake with a toss that sent it splashing farther than the keys had.
The phone hit the water with a soft thud. Hearing it hit the water, Grace felt a weight lift from her heart.
Then, with a cold face, she held out her hand again, repeating, "And."
Zach was scared now. His hand stayed tucked in his pocket; he didn't reach out, only glancing at Landon.
Landon gritted his teeth silently before subtly signaling Zach to obey Grace.
Reluctantly, Zach pulled out a spring-loaded knife and handed it to Grace. He muttered, "Ms. Hill, you're Mr. Norman's woman. If you want a finger of mine, I won't say a word.”
As he spoke, he crouched beside the stone bench, spread his hand flat, and pressed it against the stone.
Grace sat silently at the other end of the bench. She lightly scraped the sharp blade with her fingertip and measured the knife against Zach's hand as if searching for the perfect angle.
Her eyelids lowered as she slowly said, "That's right. It's precisely because I'm Mr. Norman's woman that I dare act this way. Remember this: Before Benjamin discards me, anyone who dares touch my things had better think twice!"
Her words were calm, yet Landon and Zach felt a chill breeze sweep over them.
Landon, quicker-witted, forced a smile. "We'll remember your words. We won't dare again. You're so beautiful and generous. Please spare Zach this time."
Grace lifted her head and casually scanned the room before fixing her gaze on Landon. A faint smile touched her lips. "Alright then. It is the first time. I suppose I should let him off."
"Thank you, Ms. Hill!" The two men's faces lit up with surprise.
Just as Zach was about to push himself up from the stone bench, Grace suddenly swung her arm. The sharp blade pierced the back of Zach's hand and tore clean through his palm.
Zach froze, and then he finally felt the pain. "Ouch!" he yelped.
Grace pulled the knife out, tossed it behind her, and watched it sink into the lake.
She stood up, gave Landon and Zach a cold look, said nothing, shoved her hands into her coat pockets, and turned to leave.
Zach had regained his composure. Clutching his wounded wrist with his free hand, he watched Grace's composed, retreating figure before turning to Landon, who had remained silent. Zach said, "That woman is ruthless. I bet she could kill someone without blinking.”
The playful expression vanished from Landon's face. He merely nodded flatly. "I agree."
Zach glanced at his blood-dripping palm, grunted, and asked, "Should I complain to Mr. Norman about this? I can't let this go unnoticed."
Landon finally chuckled and glanced at Zach's palm. Seeing that the wound wasn't serious, Landon made a motion to kick Zach again. He scolded, "Shut up and hide somewhere for a few days. Not only will Ben praise you, but Ms. Hill will remember you, too.”
Zach was confused. "But if I don't tell him, how will Mr. Norman know his woman stabbed me in the hand?"
Landon chuckled. "I'll explain it for you."