Chapter 1191

"That's right," Ralph muttered. "Annie asked me to do this so she'd have something to hold over me, didn't she? If I obey, I become a murderer, and she'll have lifelong leverage. She can threaten me whenever I cross her."

He replayed the events of the past few days, remembering Hannah's volatile nature. The thought of lifelong subservience suffocated him.

Turning to Hannah, he pleaded, "Annie, let's forget this. She's your sister! Let's send her back to the Riggs Estate. Your parents are on the island, aren't they? We can have them confine her there."

He continued, his voice laced with a chilling suggestion, "Besides, aren't we being too merciful? Shouldn't she suffer as you did?"

Hannah exploded. "Are you insane? My parents would only help her if she were returned to the island! They're always biased toward her! If they knew, they'd help her, and I'd be the one who dies! Heather has to die! Only then will my parents accept me as their only daughter. Only then will they face reality!" She glared at Ralph. "Can't you do this one simple thing? Didn't you say you loved me? I'd hurt my own sister for you. I don't care that you're penniless, but you lack the nerve to do something so simple?"

"It's not a lack of nerve, but…" Ralph began, but Heather interrupted.

"He doesn't want you to hold this over him forever! Don't you see? He wants nothing to do with you, let alone forever! No one would want that, you lunatic! Do you think you've won? You're my shadow, forever tethered to me, even after I'm gone! Haha!" Heather's laughter rang out, pathetic yet triumphant, her life hanging by a thread.

"Shut the f*ck up!" Hannah screamed, grabbing the bowl from Ralph's hands. She forced Heather's head back, attempting to pour the liquid down her throat.

Ralph stared, his hands empty. He watched Hannah restrain Heather, forcing her mouth open.

"Die! Die, you b*tch! I'll be the only one left! No one will compare me to you anymore! Why won't you die?!" Hannah cursed, her face contorted.

Heather fought back, her survival instincts overriding her composure. She thrashed, twisting her head, refusing to cooperate. Even weakened by the poison, she easily overpowered the weaker Hannah, causing much of the liquid to spill.

Frustrated, Hannah roared at Ralph, "What the hell are you doing? Help me! We're both dead if she turns this around!"

Hannah's words jolted Ralph. He realized, 'She's right! I don't want to kill Heather, but if she overpowers us, it's over for me. I can't rely on the Russells anymore. Losing the Riggs' support would be my ruin.'

He rushed to assist Hannah, holding Heather's limbs. Together, they restrained her, forcing her mouth open. Just as Hannah was about to pour the poison, a deafening crash echoed from outside, like an earthquake.