His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 87

At last, the man standing before her—whose calm had seemed unshakeable—showed a flicker of emotion. His lips pressed into a hard, merciless line as he stared at Lumina, his voice cold and deliberate. “Let her go.”

She was even more troublesome than he’d imagined. Not only had she smashed his vase, put on her little act, and started a scene, but she’d also managed to slip a shard up her sleeve.

Cedric let out a low, humorless laugh. If she hadn’t used that piece on Winona, would she have tried to drive it straight into his chest?

Lumina shot him a scornful look, her voice mocking. “I’m holding this to your sweetheart’s throat. Are you scared now? Desperate? I bet in all your years, Mr. Royce, you’ve never felt so powerless.”

Even though the room was filled wall to wall with people, an uncanny silence had settled over everything. The only sound was Winona’s delicate sobbing, broken and trembling.

Cedric’s gaze was fixed on Lumina, his face a mask, revealing nothing.

Lumina didn’t give him a chance to weigh his options. Her eyes flashed with dangerous resolve as she spoke, every word deliberate: “Two demands—cash on hand, and I want to see Yael.”

Casper glanced at Cedric, his voice tense and low. “Mr. Royce, you can’t!”

Cedric only offered a faint, chilling smile. The light caught his sharp features, drawing out every shadow and hard edge beneath his cheekbones.

He stepped forward.

At once, Lumina yanked Winona backward, her voice tight with urgency. “Don’t come any closer!”

Winona’s cries grew louder, panic-stricken.

Casper raised his gun, his finger trembling on the trigger, terrified Lumina might press that shard into Mr. Royce’s chest at any second.

But Cedric’s gaze didn’t waver from Lumina. He looked past her, eyes unreadable, and spoke to Casper. “Lower your weapon.”

“Mr. Royce!” Casper’s voice cracked with protest.

But Cedric remained calm. “This is a family matter. No chaos. No one gets hurt.”

Then, from his pocket, Cedric produced a black card, holding it out for Lumina to take. “No code. It’s open.”

He added, “As for Yael? He’s inside. Unless he confesses, no one’s allowed to see him.”

Lumina took the card, a small, triumphant smile tugging at her lips.

She thought to herself, using Winona as leverage had struck right at Cedric’s weak spot. Even someone like him, who never bowed to threats, was forced to yield.

Keeping a tight grip on Winona, Lumina inched toward the door.

Casper stood firm, blocking her way, his weapon practically pressed to her forehead.

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