Chapter 413

"Go ahead, hit me! Aren't you the fierce fighter? Make me bleed, or better yet—strangle me to death!" Nathaniel Blackwood challenged, grabbing Vivian Lockhart's wrist and pressing her palm against his throat. His intense gaze left no room for doubt—he meant every word.

"Have you lost your damn mind?" Vivian recoiled, fury dissolving into bewildered shock. She yanked her hand free, glaring. "There are surveillance cameras everywhere. Stop trying to frame me!"

"Then let them record me giving you permission. If you cripple or kill me, I'll take full responsibility."

"You're insane." Vivian finally wrenched herself away, putting distance between them as if he were contagious.

Typical Nathaniel Blackwood—actually begging to be beaten. This man is terrifying.

"I wronged you four years ago. Consider this your chance for payback." His voice turned icy, the momentary madness replaced by his usual arrogant detachment. "You refused. So drop the grudge—unless you want to ruin whatever's left between us."

Vivian scoffed. "Between us? There is nothing between us, Nathaniel. Nothing to ruin."

I swore I wouldn’t let him rattle me like this. Damn it.

His lips curled into a smirk. "Then let’s build something new. Even if it ends in hatred, it’ll be worth it."

Her throat tightened. "You need psychiatric help."

Just then, Cassandra Delacroix stirred awake. In a heartbeat, her demeanor shifted—she scrambled to her knees before Vivian, clutching her skirt. "Please, Miss Lockhart! I’ll never interfere again! Spare my baby and me—I’m begging you!"

Vivian stared, dumbfounded. What the hell is happening?

Nathaniel hauled Cassandra up, his tone clipped. "Did you skip your medication today?"

"I—I—"

"Damn it." He exhaled sharply, retrieving a pill bottle from his coat. "Take one. Now."

"But the baby—" Cassandra whimpered, shrinking back. "It’s too bitter, and the chemicals could harm—"

"Swallow it."

Trembling, she obeyed, tears streaming down her face.

Vivian watched, unease coiling in her chest. She edged closer to Nathaniel. "What’s wrong with her?"