Chapter 58
Veronica, crumpled to her knees, staring in disbelief at the sword protruding from her chest.
When did that happen? I didn’t even see it coming!‘ That was her last thought.
Clive was even more shocked than Veronica.
He’d seen a flash, assumed it was fire, but it was Regina’s thermal sword.
Regina pressed the sword deeper, the city’s neon lights painting her face in vibrant hues.
She glanced at Clive.
Clive held his breath, a flicker of hope rising within him.
An idea came to his mind: ‘She’s trying to save me?‘
Regina snorted. “Clive, if this loser kills you, it’s because you’re a joke, not because of me. Don’t kid yourself–it’s almost insulting.”
She yanked the sword back out.
Clive didn’t know what to say. That little bit of hope? Gone in a flash.
From a nearby rooftop, Victor watched his sister go down. He let out a furious yell and charged at them.
Regina yawned, glancing at Clive. “Oh, you’re definitely gonna die, though. Those internal injuries? Brutal. Every move you make is a gamble.”
Clive clutched his stomach, coughing up blood.
He wiped his mouth carelessly. “I’m aware.”
He was too weak to run or fight.
This was it.
Clive grimly accepted his fate.
He wouldn’t see his mother recover.
Then, out of nowhere, a painkiller inhaler got shoved into his hand.
Clive frowned, looking at Regina, confused.
She smirked. “It’ll keep the pain off for ten minutes. Take Victor down in that time, and I’ll patch you up.”
Clive hesitated. “But I’m injured. Fighting will worsen my injuries, I might die.”
Regina’s smile widened. “So? I’m just saying, if you survive, I’ll save you.”
Clive’s eyes widened in realization.
Regina didn’t care if he lived or died.
She was toying with him, enjoying his struggle for survival like a bird with clipped wings.
Clive looked at the approaching Victor, his mind racing.
He had only one option: defeat Victor.
Clive activated the inhaler, sucking in the medication.
The pain receded instantly.
He swallowed the rising bile in his throat and unleashed the thermal whip from his wrist, charging at Victor.
Regina watched with amusement.
Clive’s sharp eyes locked onto Victor, dodging his enraged attacks. The crimson whip wrapped around Victor’s arms
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His usually elegant features were twisted in a feral snarl. He glanced at Regina, who was watching with a smirk.
Distracted, Clive was flung to the ground by Victor, tears from sheer pain springing to his eyes.
Regina cracked up laughing.
Clive scrambled to his feet, flushing with shame. He dodged Victor’s attack, circling behind him, quickly binding his arms and tightening the whip
around his neck.
Victor struggled, his body convulsing.
Clive’s vision blurred, he gritted his teeth, holding on with his last ounce of strength.
Gradually, Victor stopped struggling as life drained out of him. Even then, Clive didn’t stop.
Clive’s vision was blurring and his lungs were burning. He collapsed next to the lifeless body, gasping for air.
I did it. I’m alive, he thought.
Regina approached.
J
Clive lay sprawled out, eyes unfocused, slowly turning to her.
He looked like he was fading fast.
Regina crouched down, studying him.
Sweat plastered Clive’s hair to his forehead, erasing any trace of his usual polished appearance.
Dirt and grime streaked his handsome face, his uniform shirt unbuttoned, revealing his chest.
He was a mess.
Clive tried to speak, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
No sound came out.
Regina deciphered his desperate plea-
“I won. Save me.”
Regina’s lips curled into a smirk, a–memory flashing through her mind.
She remembered reaching for a plain white coffee mug in the kitchen, assuming it was for guests.
The housekeeper had immediately shouted, “What are you doing? That’s Mr. Clive’s cup.”
Just then, Clive had walked into the kitchen, witnessing the scene.
Regina had felt like an outsider in her own home, awkward and uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Clive. I didn’t know it was yours. I’ll wash it for you.” “No need,” Ciive had said coldly.
His long fingers had snatched the mug from her hand, tossing it into the trash without hesitation.
“I don’t want it,” he said, coldly.
Back in the present, Clive’s hand shot out, gripping her ankle.
“You…. promised… to save me!” he panted.
Tears streamed down his face. “You can’t go back on your word!” he sobbed.
Athrill of satisfaction coursed through Regina.
“Beg me,” she purred.
Clive’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He hadn’t expected this.
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His face contorted in pain as the medication wore off.
Clive started to tremble. “Please…”
He choked out, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. “Please save me!”
Regina’s smile widened. She strapped on Veronica’s flight pack, scooped Clive into her arms, and jumped.
Clive’s eyes widened in terror as the ground rushed towards them.
He clung to Regina, bracing for impact. Suddenly, they were soaring upwards, the cityscape shrinking below.
The breathtaking view of Dainville unfolded before his eyes.
Relief and awe washed over Clive. His heart pounded in his chest.
He looked at Regina.
Regina ignored him, weaving through holographic advertisements before glancing down at him.
Clive stared back, speechless.
A mischievous glint appeared in Regina’s eyes.
“Clive,” she said, “since you’re so eager to be my brother, let’s make a deal. Every time you make me happy, I’ll call you ‘brother.”
Clive frowned, confused.
Regina grinned, her face illuminated by the vibrant city lights. “You did well this time. Keep up the good work, BROTHER.”