Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 1263

"Debbie Harris..."

Bella's voice cut through the air, icy and lethal, forcing Debbie to abruptly halt her tirade.

Debbie glanced at her and shrugged effortlessly. "I really don't have the money."

Bella exploded. "I know you don't have it! But your son does! Make him pay! Between the principal and the interest, you owe me nearly half a billion dollars. If I don't get that money, I am dead!"

"If someone has to die, I'll do it for you," Debbie mocked nonchalantly. "Like I said, I'm a worthless piece of trash. I don't care. If you want to trade my life to clear your debt, take it."

Debbie casually ran a finger across her own throat in a slicing motion, showing a chilling lack of self-preservation.

Bella felt a suffocating wave of rage. She was completely cornered. Dealing with Debbie was like arguing with a lunatic. Reason, threats, and logic simply bounced off her.

"Debbie," Bella hissed through gritted teeth, her eyes blazing. "If killing you would instantly wire half a billion dollars into my account, I would slaughter you right now without blinking. Do you understand?"

Debbie reached out, condescendingly pushing Bella's pointing finger away. "Oh, I believe you. Forget half a billion—if someone handed me a few million right now just to play a few more rounds at the VIP tables, I'd take that deal too."

"Death isn't scary. Living a ruined, miserable life until the bitter end—that's what's terrifying. I know I'm not walking out of this alive. If you don't kill me, the casino enforcers will. Or my own son. Either way, my run is over."

With a sharp swipe, Bella knocked the knife out of Debbie's hand. It clattered against the floor.

"Nice try," Bella said coldly. "Do it yourself. Chop it off and mail it to him."

Debbie stepped around the table, getting right in Bella's face. A mocking, triumphant grin spread across her lips.

"What's the matter? Don't have the guts? I thought you were a ruthless bitch, but you're just a coward making empty threats. Pathetic. Just a spineless coward raised by a mistress!"