Chapter 138 A Cautionary Tale: Meddle Not with Hidden Treasures, Lest Death Finds You Unaware
Raymond's lips curved into a knowing smile, his head inclining towards Paige as he whispered words that only she was meant to hear.The intimacy of his breath against her ear turned Paige's earlobes a delicate shade of pink. Yet, in the ensuing moment, Paige jerked her head upwards to meet Raymond's gaze. Her face was a canvas of disbelief. "You're aware?" she questioned.Raymond nodded, his voice maintaining an even tone. "Does that resolve our differences, Mrs. Carnegie?"Paige's gaze morphed into one of scrutiny. The man she had chosen to share her bed with—the seemingly ordinary, physically challenged, yet strikingly handsome trophy husband—why was it that she was only now beginning to glimpse the depth of his true identity?A sense of dread descended upon her, akin to being trapped beneath a massive iceberg. Paige responded with a simple, "Hmm," her voice devoid of emotion.Outwardly, she conceded that they were on equal footing, but inwardly, Paige began to reassess their situation.She had been far too negligent!The clues leading to the secret fund were right under her nose, in Raymond's room, yet she had failed to investigate any potential connection between Raymond and the fund.Despite her adeptness in dealing with people, she had overlooked the underlying issue with Raymond's legs.Regret was the only sentiment that resonated within Paige's heart now!Upon the helicopter's descent, Paige's immediate concern was to rush Finnegan to the hospital.The antidote, crucial for Finnegan's survival, still bound her to his fate; she couldn't afford to let him perish just yet.Marigold was sequestered in a room within Paige's villa, under the watchful eye of a hired guard.When Finnegan regained consciousness post-surgery, Paige was seated on the couch adjacent to his bed.With her arms crossed, Paige inquired in a nonchalant tone, "Awake?"Finnegan surveyed his surroundings, gradually piecing together his predicament. Having been shot twice, he had been unconscious for quite some time. Now, as he took in his unfamiliar environment, it was clear that he was not where he remembered being.Then his eyes landed on Paige, a steadfast presence at his bedside. Finnegan asked only one question, "How's Marigold?"Paige responded, "She's fine—more stable than you and unscathed. We never intended to harm anyone, yet you had a gun pointed at my head. I've spared both you and your sister; what do you think that equates to?"Paige observed Finnegan on the bed, her eyes sharp, hinting at an underlying ferocity.How could Finnegan not comprehend what Paige desired?"I know you need the antidote, which is why you can't afford to let me die. Marigold must've informed you that I'm the only one who can provide it," he stated."That's why you're still here, capable of conversing with me," Paige retorted.Finnegan attempted a feeble smile, which was quickly replaced by a violent bout of coughing. "Ha ha...cough cough cough... So, even if you, Ms. Sackler, swoop in like a hero, it won't alter the outcome of this deal.""Are you delusional? Right now, the lives of you and your sister are in my hands. Do you genuinely believe the result of this deal remains unchanged?" Paige countered.Finnegan declared, "Exchange the information on the secret funds for the antidote! That's only fair!""Fair?" Paige laughed as she rose from her seat, pacing the length of the hospital room.With her back turned to Finnegan, she stated, "This isn't a trade, it's a forceful seizure! It's the spoils of victory. You fell into my trap; I hold the power to either kill or release you. If we're discussing fairness, trading the antidote for your lives seems like a more equitable deal, wouldn't you agree?"Finnegan pointed at Paige and asserted, "This is Country M, and we are citizens of Country M. Do you dare to kill us here?""You're welcome to test me," Paige retorted.Finnegan shot back, "Even if you're relying on Raymond as your husband, with his high status, power, and immense wealth, I doubt you could murder us and escape unscathed."Paige's grin was sly, her face turned towards him, her cunning nature evident. "It might be challenging for any wealthy tycoon to commit murder and evade the law, but if someone dies under mysterious circumstances at the hands of the mafia, who can hold them accountable?"Finnegan, already pale from the surgery, turned a shade paler."The mafia? Does Hawke Corporation have ties with the mafia?" he inquired.Paige replied with a cool indifference, "And why can't I have connections with the mafia?"Finnegan attempted to rise, but Paige stepped forward, forcing him back onto the bed."I advise you to do your research before making your next move. Don't provoke just anyone. Cross paths with the wrong person, and you'll find yourself ensnared in a predicament you can't escape from, understand?" Paige's warning was audacious.
Finnegan gazed at Paige, his expression a mixture of disbelief and incredulity. "How can that be possible?" he questioned, his voice echoing his shock. "You're nothing more than the illegitimate offspring of the Quorinthus Northwind branch of the Sackler family. Disdained and powerless, even the Sacklers themselves have cast you aside. Your only claim to any semblance of power is your marriage to a disabled man from the Carnegie family. How could you possibly have ties to the mafia?"His disbelief stemmed from their investigations, which had revealed no connections between Paige or her husband, Raymond, and the mafia. Paige merely raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Is that so? Is that all your investigations unearthed?" she retorted. "Perhaps next time, a little patience might serve you better. You might just discover that I go by another name. Now, where is the antidote?"As she spoke, her eyes flicked to her wristwatch, her tone growing more serious. "Time is running out. If you don't reveal the location of the antidote within the next fifteen minutes," she threatened, the air growing heavy with tension, "my men will deliver your sister's hand to you."The threat hung ominously in the air, the ticking of the clock growing louder with each passing second. "And if you still refuse to cooperate," she continued, her voice cold and unfeeling, "they'll bring me your sister's leg. Have you ever heard of the term 'human swine'? In the ancient days of Quorinthus, it was used to describe a person who had been mutilated, their limbs severed, their tongue cut out, and their eyes gouged."At the mention of eye-gouging, Finnegan felt a phantom pain, as if his own eyes were throbbing in remembered agony. He knew all too well the searing pain and the feeling of violation that came with such a brutal act—more vividly than he cared to recall."You wouldn't dare!" Finnegan roared, his voice echoing through the room.Paige merely shrugged, her voice as cold as ice. "What wouldn't we dare? To me, you're nothing but enemies. If it weren't for the substances you sold to Margaret, Mrs. Sackler wouldn't be lying in a coma, her body withering away like a vegetable for the past five years. The medications you supplied have caused irreversible damage. Even if she wakes up, she'll never be the same. It's time to settle the score."Finnegan hadn't anticipated that Paige, whom they had underestimated as the most benign among them, was actually the most ruthless. Her callousness was shocking.She had risked everything, descending from the snowy mountains to capture his base's personnel. Now, without the antidote, his chances of survival seemed slim."I can give you the antidote, but what about Marigold and my lives..." Finnegan began to negotiate.Paige cut him off, her tone straightforward. "As long as I get the antidote, I won't kill you.""Alright, you promised," Finnegan conceded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can give you the antidote. As for the secret funds..."Paige interrupted him again, her voice firm. "Those secret funds are not something a small fry like you should be meddling with. If you value your life, stay away from them. Consider this your warning.""You know about the secret funds too? Did Raymond tell you about them so soon after your marriage?" Finnegan questioned, his curiosity piqued.Paige merely offered a faint smile, her lips sealed, leaving Finnegan with no answers.
