The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 1001

Talbot stared down at his father’s paper-white face, his own heart twisting as if it were being roasted over an open flame. Cold sweat soaked his temples and the back of his shirt.

"But... but..."

His throat was parched, his reason and emotions engaged in a final, frantic tug-of-war.

"No buts!" Reese cut him off, her voice a sharp blade severing his last line of retreat. "Talbot, I know why you're hesitating. Listen. The old man has always kept his private physician on call, right? He hasn't treated me too horribly in the past, and I don't want to push things to the absolute brink either. If you don't have the stomach to end it yourself, we'll just call Dr. Watson over."

She stepped closer, her tone dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "We'll say Dante had a sudden heart attack and needs absolute rest. We put the estate on lockdown. Nobody breathes a word. And then... we just buy Dr. Watson off. He's a smart man. He knows which side his bread is buttered on."

She locked eyes with Talbot, refusing to let him look away. "Think about the Langley Group! Think about our future! You can't be soft if you want to wear the crown. This is the final step you have to take to reach the top!"

Talbot's complexion shifted from a sickly pale to an ashen gray. Slowly, the panic and conflict in his eyes faded, replaced by the deadened, ruthless stare of a man who had burned his ships behind him. He took a deep, ragged breath, looking as though it cost him every ounce of his strength, and slowly lowered his phone.

"...Have them call Dr. Watson," he rasped, his voice sounding like sandpaper. He gave the order to the bodyguard standing frozen by the door.

From start to finish, Talbot avoided looking at his father's lifeless face.

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