The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 943

"You're awake," Zeus said mildly. "How are you feeling? Still dizzy?"

His tone was so casual, it was as if their explosive fight had never happened. If Clive wasn't sitting in a pitch-black basement, he might have almost been fooled by the act.

That hypocritical facade set off a powder keg inside Clive. His eyes instantly shot with red—not from unshed tears, but from an all-consuming, murderous rage.

He lunged forward. He wasn't aiming for the tray; he just wanted to shove Zeus aside and sprint through that open door toward freedom.

But Zeus seemed to have anticipated the move. He easily sidestepped the charge, his free hand shooting out like a steel vise to clamp down on Clive's wrist. The grip was terrifyingly strong, nearly crushing the bones.

"Let go of me! You freak! You psycho!" Clive thrashed wildly, all reason and upbringing tossed out the window, operating purely on instinct and fury.

"You have no right to lock me up! This is a federal crime! I'm calling the cops! When I get out of here, I'm sending you to prison!"

Zeus let him scream and struggle, his grip never loosening a fraction. If anything, his eyes held a patronizing sort of patience, the way an adult watches a toddler throw a tantrum.

When Clive finally paused to gasp for air, his movements slowing from exhaustion, Zeus spoke. His voice was low, but it pierced Clive's eardrums like an icicle.

"Are you done?"

Zeus stared at Clive's flushed, oxygen-deprived face with a frigid gaze.

Clive froze. The blood in his veins seemed to turn to ice. He stared into his brother's eyes, seeing absolutely zero trace of a joke or empty bluff. There was only a pure, undeniable threat.

He didn't doubt Zeus for a second. He knew his brother. This seemingly calm man in front of him would cross any line, commit any atrocity, just for the sake of his research.

Fear instantly suffocated the boiling rage.

Clive stopped fighting. His body began to tremble uncontrollably as a bone-deep chill washed over him.

Satisfied with the reaction, Zeus released his wrist. He shoved the light tray into Clive's hands, his tone instantly snapping back to that horrifyingly fake, gentle warmth.