Chapter 1428 I Knew Lawrence Loved Me the Most
Tessa's cheeks flushed with excitement. Could it be shares in the Smith family business? Was Lawrence planning to give her a stake in the Smith empire? With something like that, she'd never have to worry about being accepted by the rest of the Smith family again.
"Tessa, I'm going to change my clothes. The security team will escort you over first."
"Alright, Lawrence. Don't be long."
Tessa was gently guided toward the back garden. She had no idea where they were taking her, only that she eventually boarded what felt like a boat and was seated in a comfortable chair.
Suddenly, she felt something clamp around her ankles, securing them to the chair. A wave of unease washed over her.
"Why are you restraining my feet?" she asked anxiously.
"Ms. Tessa Smith, these are ankle bracelets—a gift worth several million dollars that Mr. Lawrence Smith arranged for you. You're not supposed to see them just yet."
Tessa immediately relaxed, a smile curving her lips. "I knew Lawrence cared for me the most."
This vessel was larger than the small boat from the previous night. The chair was fixed inside a cage, adorned with fresh flowers. It was the same cage that had held Selena yesterday, but now contained Tessa instead.
Yet Tessa, sitting in the chair inside the cage, remained completely oblivious to what was happening. Both her legs were shackled to the chair.
Because she could smell the fragrance of flowers, she truly believed the restraints on her feet were Lawrence's extravagant gift. She had no idea that on the second floor of the mansion, Lawrence was clutching a bottle of hard liquor.
He took several harsh swigs, watching as the slightly larger boat slowly drifted toward the middle of the river. The alcohol burned his throat, making him cough violently.
As the Smith family heir, he had always been forced to suppress his emotions, never showing significant reactions. In business, he had to be ruthless and decisive. But all of that control crumbled around Tessa.
He had unconsciously fallen into the habit of indulging her. It had been his lifelong goal to protect her from suffering.
Never before had alcohol tasted so bitter, so unpalatable to him. He shed no tears, only felt a profound, bottomless sorrow.
After the boat had traveled quite far, Tessa finally sensed something was wrong. Why was the boat still moving? Where were they going?
"Where are we headed? Where's Lawrence? Why isn't he here yet?"
No one answered her. All she could hear was the wind, howling like a funeral dirge. The hair on her body stood on end as she yanked off the blindfold covering her eyes. When she finally saw her surroundings clearly, her pupils constricted in terror.
"What are you doing? Who authorized this? I'm a member of the Smith family! If Lawrence finds out you're doing this, you'll all regret it!"
Bending forward, she saw her legs shackled to the chair, which was inside a locked cage. Overwhelming panic surged through her as she desperately clutched the iron bars.
"You can't do this! Take me back! Lawrence! Lawrence, where are you? I'm so scared!"
But apart from the security guards, there was no one else around.
The boat finally stopped in the center of the river. Looking down at the water, so deep it appeared black, Tessa felt nothing but terror. Even before touching the water, she could feel its bone-chilling coldness threatening to consume her.
She finally understood—Lawrence's promise of a surprise had been a lie. He must have discovered that Selena was his real sister and realized how Tessa had deliberately manipulated everyone. Now he wanted to eliminate her.
Tears streamed down Tessa's face as she frantically beat against the iron bars. The guards approached, preparing to lift the cage and sink it into the river.
"No, please! I'm begging you, don't do this!"
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