“Look at you!” Sullivan spat. “You’re a mess—filthy, disgusting, reeking. You’re a damn embarrassment!”
He raised a hand, and without hesitation, his men returned—this time with more buckets.
Ice water slammed against my skin, again and again, until I was numb, shivering so hard my bones felt like they’d snap. My lips turned blue. My body went limp. Still, they kept going—until Sullivan finally waved them off.
Meanwhile, Shannah sobbed harder in his arms. Her voice trembled with hysteria.
“Please, Zareena… I’m begging you. Don’t take my baby. If you’re really going to… then I’ll just jump out the window and die!”
She broke free from his arms and ran toward the window, looking ready to leap. Sullivan caught her, pulling her into his arms protectively.
Then he turned on me, eyes burning with rage.
I had barely enough strength to grab the hem of his pants, desperate—pleading.
But he kicked my hand away like it was nothing.
He crouched beside me, his voice low and deadly.
“You really think getting my mother involved is enough to keep your seat as the heir’s mother? I’ve already sent people to lock up the family villa. It’s over, Zareena. Whatever plan you had with my mother—it ends now.”