Chapter 12 A Pawn in Your Scheme

• Lisette reacted instantly, rolling aside and narrowly escaping Neil's kick.
• Neil paused momentarily before addressing William, who was observing from the second floor. "Mr. Preston, your wife certainly has a fiery spirit."
• He cast a final, menacing look at Lisette. "But that's alright. I've got all day to deal with her."
• With that, he moved purposefully towards Lisette.
• Meanwhile, Lisette had managed to get back on her feet and was pushing through the crowd, desperately seeking an escape.
• But before she could make much headway, someone grabbed her by the hair and yanked her down.
• Neil threw her to the floor with a heavy thud.
• Lisette landed hard, instinctively protecting her stomach with her hands.
• Despite her efforts to shield herself, a sharp pain surged through her as she lay there.
• My baby …
• My baby …
• Neil stepped on her hand. "Do you think shielding it like this will keep it safe?
• "That won't be possible. Unless Mr. Preston speaks up, I'll … Ah!"
• Neil's words trailed off as Lisette bit fiercely into his leg.
• Neil's face darkened with fury. He retaliated with a vicious kick to Lisette's stomach.
• "Ugh!"
• Lisette curled up, blood quickly staining her legs.
• Neil rolled up his trouser leg to reveal a series of red bite marks on his left leg, with blood oozing from the indentations.
• "Ha, not only fiery but also quite wild."
• He then unleashed a series of brutal kicks aimed at Lisette's stomach.
• Lisette clutched her belly, the pain spreading through her entire body.
• It was excruciating, as if her flesh were being torn apart.
• She looked up at the man on the second floor, who remained indifferent, and cried out, "William, this is your child. It's over four months along, fully formed …
• "It moves in my belly. It's such a good baby, never causing trouble, always obedient. It's truly wonderful. Please, save the baby …
• "No matter what you do to me, I just beg you to save the baby. Even if it means my own death, William … "
• William held his glass of wine, swirling the red liquid with his slender, pale fingers.
• He appeared detached, as though the scene below had nothing to do with him.
• Tears streamed down Lisette's face.
• She knew he likely wouldn't care—if he were going to, he would have acted already.
• Yet she still hoped.
• This is his blood, his flesh.
• "William, I'm begging you. For the sake of our year of marriage, save our child. Please … "
• Mabel looked at William, then stood up and turned to Neil. "Enough, Neil."
• Neil finally stopped, and the pool of blood spreading around Lisette was sharply illuminated by the crystal chandelier above.
• "Mabel, your kindness doesn't do you any favors."
• Mabel's expression hardened. "I don't need your interference!"
• She hurried downstairs and began speaking into her phone. "Get here right away, and bring—"
• Her sentence was abruptly cut off as Neil snatched the phone from her grasp.
• "Neil!" Mabel's voice was laced with anger.
• Neil smirked and glanced up at William on the second floor. "Mr. Preston hasn't made a move yet. Why the rush?"
• "Neil, I'm warning you. Don't push your luck!"
• "Push my luck? I'm just helping you out. We all know Mr. Preston's heart is set on you. He married this woman so that you'd change your mind. Now that she's pregnant with his child, if he doesn't handle this properly, what future do you two have?
• "Isn't that right, Mr. Preston?"
• Lisette trembled, her eyes wide as she stared at the figures on the second floor.
• At that moment, all her pain seemed to disappear, and everything around her faded away. All she could see was William.
• Is this true, William?
• Am I merely a pawn in your scheme to win back the one you truly love?