The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 946

Zeus stopped pacing and leaned over him. There wasn't a single shred of hesitation or pity in his eyes—only a terrifying, stubborn resolve.

"You're still letting those incompetent doctors and society's prejudices cloud your judgment."

"Look at the facts. Your latest lab results show that the virus in your bloodstream is virtually undetectable! It's ironclad proof that my treatment is working!"

"All the discomfort you're feeling right now is just a normal reaction to the process. It's the darkest hour right before the dawn. Trust me. Everything I'm doing is for you and for the family. I would never hurt you. When we win over the whole world and stand at the very top, you'll understand. You'll thank me for everything I've done."

Having delivered his speech like a priest completing a sacred ritual, Zeus picked up the empty tray, completely satisfied, and turned on his heel.

The heavy click of the deadlock echoed again. It sounded like a death knell, sealing not just Clive's physical body, but every last pathetic shred of hope he held for his brother, deep into the suffocating, madness-filled abyss.

Clive collapsed against the hard mattress like a hollowed-out shell. He had already cried all his tears during his previous fights; now, there was nothing left but an infinite, bone-deep terror and a dead, crushing numbness.

From furious resistance to desperate begging, absolutely nothing could crack Zeus's delusion. Clive was completely out of options. He no longer held onto a single fantasy about his brother.

Meanwhile, Josiah was trying to track Clive down to handle his mess, but couldn't get ahold of him anywhere.

Having just wrapped up a cross-border conference call, Josiah stood by the window in his tailored suit, dialing Clive's number for the third time. The line just fed him the same cold, automated response: "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."

Frustrated, he loosened his tie. Just as he looked up, he saw Zeus stepping out of the elevator holding a fruit basket.

"Josiah?" Zeus blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

His words held a subtle, detached contempt, sounding more like he was talking about a stranger than his own sibling.

"But this time is different!"

"I could let his old scandals slide, but this is massive. Why isn't he trying to fix this? Why is his only instinct to run away?"

Josiah looked at Zeus, a hint of unease creeping into his voice.

"You don't think he'd... do something drastic, do you?"