“Naturally, it was likely that he later fell for you, but his initial objective was to seek dukedom. Driving a wedge between us, hurting me… All that was necessary for him to have you and become a duke,” said Evan.
Evan had just finished speaking when a series of claps rang up.
All three were a little surprised when they turned around and saw that Levant had doubled back.
“You are right, Evan Seet. I went to search for Nicole because I wanted to bring her over and surprise Dad. However, I later heard about his plan to give her the title instead, so I started paying attention to her. I thought about killing her. After all, there will be no other competition for dukedom once she’s dead. I’m not inhumane, though. The duke took me in and raised me so I can’t bring myself to kill Nicole. After that, I fell for her. It’s too bad that fate won’t allow it. No matter how hard I tried, I simply can’t get her to fall for me. Now that everything is clear, please pass the dukedom over to me. Our paths will not cross again after that,” confessed Levant.
Stephen’s eyes shone with disappointment as he stared at Levant.
He never dreamed that Levant would do so many vile things just for power; the latter even went so far as trying to kill Evan.
“I will never pass the title over to you, Levant! I refuse to hand the Musgrave family over to a despicable creature like you.”
“Is that so? I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you. I have a trump card up my sleeves, after all, and I am certain that you will end up doing what I say.”
“What trump card are you talking about?”
Levant scoffed and shifted his gaze to Evan and Nicole.
“I have your very soul and life! Four lives in exchange for a duke’s title. It’s a pretty good deal, isn’t it?”
Four lives? The kids?
Evan’s eyes turned cruel. He sprang up suddenly and zipped to Levant’s side. Evan pressed his blade against Levant’s neck and threatened, “Let the kids go!” Evan’s voice was hellishly terrifying.
Levant laughed without even a hint of fear in his voice. He said, “You want to drag me to hell with you? I’m good with it if my death means the destruction of your entire family!”
Evan couldn’t speak. He was so livid that he was tempted to run his blade through Levant’s neck.
Nicole had everyone in the estate search the entire place, but she couldn’t locate the kids anywhere.
She hurried back and stared at Levant with terror in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she demanded, “Where are my children? Where did you take them? T-they are innocent! I don’t want the title. Give my kids back to me! Give them back.”
Levant was secretly delighted to see Nicole being that anxious.
She will convince Stephen to do as I say. All she has to do is insist on getting her children back, and Stephen will cave in sooner or later.
Levant reached out to push Evan’s blade away before tossing a glare at Evan.
As much as Evan wanted to skin the b*stard alive and tear up the guy limb from limb, Evan knew that he couldn’t act impulsively because the kids were still missing.
Nicole would die if anything were to happen to them.
Evan, on the other hand, would have no reason to continue living if his wife and kids were gone.
Hence, Evan couldn’t deny that Levant’s move had everyone cornered.
“Tell me when you’ve discussed among yourselves and reached a decision. I’ll bring the kids back to you then. Do hurry up, though. They are just kids and they can’t handle going hungry for long,” said Levant.
No one could speak.
F*ck! He’s going to starve the kids until he gets what he wants?
“Levant, please. I’m begging you. Please don’t hurt my children.”
“Nicole, you should be begging your father instead. Their lives are in his hands,” replied Levant while wearing an evil smile on his face. He turned and strolled away with his head held high.
Evan immediately had Jeremy tail Levant.
Nicole turned to Stephen. She understood that dukedom was important to Stephen because it determined the future of the Musgrave family.
However, the kids were her life… No, it would be more accurate to say that they were more important to her than her own survival.
She would be happy to die for her children.
Nicole struggled, but maternal love drove everything away in the end. She walked to Stephen and knelt down. “P-please save my kids,” begged Nicole.
“Nicole, don’t do that. Get back up.”
