Chapter 617
Liora looked at Yorick and said, “Let’s go, Yorick. I’ll bear your children. We’ll build our own brand new family.”
Irene screamed, “No! Don’t go, Yorick. Come back!” Despite her hoarse, desperate screams, the figures of Yorick and Liora vanished into the encroaching darkness.
Irene cried out in her sleep and jolted awake, her forehead slick with cold sweat. With trembling hands, she wiped her face, her heart pounding as her eyes darted anxiously around the room.
Just now, to her surprise, she had somehow fallen asleep curled up on the couch. And she had a nightmare. Now she was wide awake.
Irene knew this dream was a stark warning. She had to eliminate Liora. Otherwise, the nightmare would become reality. Yorick would belong to someone else, and she’d lose everything.
Irene’s gaze gradually turned ice-cold. The chilling thought of “erasing Liora from this world completely” took root in Irene’s heart, hardening into an unshakable resolve.
Irene knew Werner had plenty of shady friends who dabbled in questionable dealings. Leveraging his connections, she managed to procure a colorless, tasteless poison.
At that moment, Irene lost her sanity. She didn’t spare a single thought about what would happen to Jonathan if she became a murderer. All she could think about was making Liora disappear, completely and forever.
Irene arranged a private meeting with Liora at 8 p.m. in a secluded café. She arrived a full hour early.
When Liora arrived and saw Irene in a crimson skirt, she was momentarily taken aback. “Wow, you look absolutely stunning,” Liora exclaimed.
“You flatter me, Ms. Thomas,” Irene replied with feigned modesty. “How could I possibly compare to someone as elegant and always looking down on the rest of us as you?”
“What’s gotten into you?” Liora sized up Irene.
Irene smiled faintly, her tone deceptively sweet. “Why would you ask that, Ms. Thomas?”
Liora asked, raising an eyebrow, “Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? It’s making me uncomfortable.”
Irene smiled again. “After giving it some thought, it’s better to have a friend than an enemy. With your family’s vast business empire, Ms. Thomas, I’d hate to be on your bad side.”
Liora paused, then said to Irene, “I’ve decided to let go of my feelings for Yorick. After all, he’s a married man, and I don’t want to obsess over someone who isn’t mine.
“Actually, when I got drunk that night, all I wanted was to free myself and to see Yorick one last time.
“But I never expected to lose control after drinking and let my emotions take over. And the last thing I imagined was you walking in just as I was clinging to Yorick’s neck.
“Irene, I’m truly sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you and Yorick these past weeks.”
Irene suddenly burst into a shrill, grating laugh that cut through the air.
Liora frowned, uneasy. “What’s so funny?” she asked.
Irene shook her head slowly and, with ominous undertones, spoke, “The damage has already been done, and a hollow ‘sorry’ isn’t enough to fix it, don’t you think, Ms. Thomas?”
Liora frowned, not quite grasping what Irene meant.
Irene rose to her feet and, with deliberate care, poured Liora a glass of wine. As she lifted her glass, a flash of cold malice flickered in her eyes. “Here’s to you, Liora. I ought to thank you… for having a crush on my husband.”
Liora took the glass, rising to her feet as she raised it in a toast. “Yorick is a rare and devoted man. You’re fortunate to marry him. I truly envy you. I’ll leave and step aside for good. I wish you both all the happiness.”
“I wish you happiness, too, Ms. Thomas,” Irene said with a cold smile. “And as you leave, may your journey be final.”