Chapter 383 For Family

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    With a flick of Everett’s hand, more than a dozen burly bodyguards burst from the shadows and formed an unbroken ring around Quinn.

    Leander’s eyes widened. “Mr. Everett, what is the meaning of this?”

    “I simply want you to understand–when the Fane family chooses a target, wiping that person out is child’s y,” Everett uttered the threat with a schr’s grace, yet beneath the gentle tone coiled a faint, unmistakable hunger for blood.

    Quinn swept a cool gaze over the ring of bodyguards hemming her in, then lifted her chin toward Everett. “So you’ve decided, haven’t you? My brother will never be allowed to im his own blood.”

    “All my life, I’ve cared for exactly two people. One is my mother. The other… is my sister. For the sake of those two, I would torch cities, spill blood, raze the world itself. So, child, do not test how thin my patience can stretch.”

    The final words rang less like a warning and more like a loaded gun pressed to the ribs. Leander felt the chill first. He knew Everett never spoke idle threats.

    “You cherish your family, Everett. I cherish mine as well. Yes, my brother owes you a favor. Let him repay it. But you have no right to erase everything he once was, or force him to spend the rest of his life behind a borrowed name.” Quinn stared him down coldly.

    “Your arguments are sound, yet tell me–what leverage do you, in this moment, truly possess?” Everett asked.

    Quinn’s eyes stayed calm as still water. Without warning, she sprang forward, a streak of motion aimed straight at Everett.

    The circle of bodyguards tightened, surging toward her like wolves guarding their alpha.

    Leander tried to reach her, but two more guards intercepted him, their arms locking him into a useless struggle.

    Quinn fought with ruthless economy–no flourish, only speed. She was not chasing victory, only the quickest route through. Her left shoulder, only recently stitched, tore open under the strain. Blood soaked her shirt in a spreading crimson star, yet she did not falter.

    In less than three minutes, she broke the cordon and stood face–to–face with Everett.

    He had never imagined anyone, let alone this woman, could reach him so easily.

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    Chapter 383 For Family

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    Her arm snapped around his neck, elbow wedged under his throat, the hold precise and merciless.

    The bodyguards froze, not daring to make a move.

    Quinn asked, “Mr. Fane, do I qualify to negotiate now?”

    Shock flickered across Everett’s features. He had not expected to be so neatly trapped by a

    woman.

    “If you actually harm me, you dere war on the entire Fane family,” Everett hissed.

    “I never meant to hurt you, nor to war with your family. After all, the Fane family saved my brother. But understand this–I’m nomb awaiting ughter. We stand in Azania, not Celosia. Threatening Azanians on Azanian soil may prove a shade overconfident, don’t you think?”

    Everett’s stare drifted, as though thinking about something.

    “Release Mr. Everett at once, or none of us will spare you.”

    “Fine, I’ll let go.” As her arm loosened, Quinn’s fingers darted to the silver chain at Everett’s throat. With a sharp tug, she ripped free the antique oval locket that hung there, its hinge darkened by years.

    Lockets like that usually contained a photo.

    Everett’s expression changed. “Give it back–now. That is not something you are allowed to touch.”

    Quinn’s voice was ice. “I hear you prize two things above all. One is the prayer beads on your wrist. The other is this locket. If you think to threaten my brother through me, remember I can threaten you right back by shattering what you treasure.”

    She flicked the sp. The locket opened. Inside rested the faded photograph of a three–year- old girl, all sunshine grin and cottonce dress. The paper had yellowed, edges soft from time, proof that it had traveled many years close to his heart.

    Quinn’s fingertip hovered over the child’s face, light as a secret yet heavy enough to drain the color from Everett’s cheeks.

    Everett’s voice cracked through the silent room like a rifle report. “No!” he roared. His hand shot forward, palm open, as though he could snatch the threat out of the air before itnded. “You so much asy a finger on that photograph and I swear, I will hunt you down, no matter who you are or where you try to hide. I will not let it rest.”

    Chapter 383 For Family

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    The image in question was a portrait of his sister–a slip of glossy paper norger than a postcard, yet priceless to him. Photographs of her were rare in the Fane household, but this one was singr. The negative was long lost, making the print in Everett’s wallet thest surviving original.

    She had vanished half a century earlier, and in every one of those fifty years the picture had ridden beside his heart like a silent oath he dared not break.

    Quinn studied Everett with new rity, the overhead light carving his profile into stark nes of grief and steel. iIf /iithe /itwo ipeople /iithis /iman iloves /iimost /iiare /iihis /iimother /iiand /iihis /iisister/i, ithen /iithat /iisister /imust be ithe /iione /iwho disappeared all ithose /iiyears /iiago/i.

    Quinn squared her shoulders, voice steady even as her pulse thundered. “You care about your family, Everett, so you should understand exactly how I feel. My brother is the only family I have left, and for him I will stand against you, no matter how hard you push.”