Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 612

But a moment later, the black SUV cut them off again. This time, it turned completely sideways, blocking the entire lane and forcing Olive to slam on the brakes once more.

Olive's frown deepened. She didn't turn off the engine. Instead, she hit the central locking system, ensuring all the doors were secured, before glaring through the windshield at the vehicle ahead.

The door of the SUV opened. A polished black leather shoe stepped onto the pavement, followed by a hand adorned with a jade thumb ring gripping a heavy walking cane.

Lawrence Lancaster stepped out of the vehicle.

He wore a long, dark gray coat. A pleasant, almost grandfatherly smile rested on his face, radiating absolute warmth and benevolence.

Two towering mercenaries stepped out behind him, their massive shoulders straining against their black suits. Their eyes were dead and unblinking.

Olive's hands gripped the steering wheel tight. She knew the old bastard wasn't here to play nice.

On any other day, she would have grabbed the hammer from the trunk and smashed Lawrence's skull in without a second thought.

But not today.

Nora was in the car. She had to stay rational.

Lawrence hobbled over with his cane and politely tapped on Olive's window.

Olive kept her face entirely blank as she rolled the glass down an inch.

Lawrence bent down slightly, peering through the narrow gap with that same sickeningly warm smile. "Olive, it's been so long. You've put on some weight, grown a bit taller. You've turned into a beautiful young woman."

Olive didn't even blink. "If you say one more word, I'll step out of this car and smack that smile right off your face."

Lawrence didn't look offended. If anything, his smile widened. "Now, now, Olive. No need for such hostility. I came to see you today because I have some important news."

He paused, his eyes locking onto her face. "Leon Miller is dead."

Olive's eyelashes fluttered for a fraction of a second, but her expression remained completely stone-cold. Her lips even curled into a mocking sneer.

Inside, however, it was a different story.

Leon Miller. The name was a rusty knife Lawrence had just yanked directly out of her chest. Even as she clamped down on the psychological bleeding, it flooded her system.

Lawrence tilted his head. "I avenged you, Olive. Don't you think it's time you forgave me?"

She stared at him for two long seconds before letting out a sharp, venomous laugh. "You think killing off one piece of trash is enough to buy your life from me? Keep dreaming, old man."

The smile on Lawrence's face finally faded.

Before he could say another word, Olive's voice cut through the air like a whip. "Get out of the way. If you don't move, I'm calling my people."

This was San Francisco.

Hudson's security teams were scattered all over the city. All Olive had to do was make a single phone call, and Lawrence's little mercenary team wouldn't make it to the end of the block.

Lawrence hadn't actually planned to do anything drastic today. He just wanted to apply a little psychological pressure to his dear nephew's people.

But Olive's absolute refusal to be baited into an emotional reaction surprised him.

With a slight smirk, Lawrence took a half-step back, leaning on his cane as he stood fully upright. "You've grown up, Olive. I'll give you a pass today. Go on."

Olive didn't hesitate. She slammed her foot on the gas, and the car shot forward like a bullet.

In the rearview mirror, Lawrence's figure shrank smaller and smaller, standing completely still until they turned the corner and he vanished from sight.

In the passenger seat, Nora's palms were coated in a cold sweat.

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