The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 496

“Tell me, why did she come to your room?”

Anthony’s voice was low, cold as ice. He pressed his foot down on Jesse’s ankle, slow and steady, making Jesse flinch with every inch. “And the psychiatric hospital. I want every detail. Don’t leave anything out.”

Jesse’s face twisted up in pain. His whole body was shaking. He never imagined Charlotte would end up with someone this terrifying. If he told the truth, he was dead. He couldn’t admit anything.

As long as he was alive, Elizabeth would make sure he was safe. She’d come for him. He just had to hold on.

“I… I don’t know,” Jesse stammered, his jaw clenched tight against the pain. “She just came to my room. I’d had a few drinks, and then… I slipped up, that’s all…”

Before he could get another word out, a sickening crack rang out. Pain exploded through his wrist, and Jesse screamed. The sound echoed off the basement walls, sharp enough to make the bodyguards look away, uneasy.

Lying to Anthony, especially now, was basically suicide.

“I told you to think before you talk.” Anthony let go of Jesse’s shattered left hand, grabbed his right, and looked him straight in the eyes. There was nothing warm in that stare.

His ankle was already broken, now his wrist, and if he lied again, he knew he’d lose his other hand too. Still, he clung to the hope that Charlotte wouldn’t actually let him die.

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk,” Jesse choked out, his lips trembling.

. . .

Morning came.

Charlotte woke slowly, her mind foggy and warm. She blinked and saw Anthony’s ridiculously handsome face just inches from hers. He was holding her close, his chin resting on her forehead, his breath soft and warm, his scent familiar and comforting.

She watched him for a moment, feeling safe in the quiet. Then she slid a little closer and poked his nose.

Nothing.

She pressed her lips together, refusing to answer. She was almost certain he was messing with her on purpose.

“Are you sure you want to start your morning talking about this?” Charlotte shot back, her lips curving into a bright, teasing smile. “Or did you not have enough cold showers lately?”

Anthony’s body went tense at her words, heat rushing to his face. He was definitely regretting starting this.

. . .

They were just sitting down to breakfast when the sound of screeching tires tore through the quiet. Heavy, hurried footsteps pounded through the house.

“Where is he?”

Charlotte looked up to see Kenneth burst in, a wooden club in his hand, face red with anger. “Where’s that bastard?” he yelled.