Chapter 193 No Mercy
“James! Simon’s bullying Lily and trying to steal my phone–teach him a lesson!”
Ivan’s voice was sharp with fury as he threw himself between them.
James turned, his eyes cial, his presence alone enough to make Elsa’s heart flutter with panic.
She opened her mouth, about to speak–hoping to use this moment to get closer to him–but James‘ voice cut her off. Cold. Unfeeling.
“The video has backups. Even if you destroy this phone, it won’t matter. Wrong is wrong. The truth will not be hidden. That video will be posted.”
He paused, his gazending briefly on Elsa.
“As for Elsa… I don’t believe someone so selfish and two–faced could have ever pulled you out of your darkest days. Don’t be a fool, Simon–don’t let someone with ulterior motives use you like a puppet.”
Simon froze, staring at James, stunned speechless.
Back when they were children, Lizzy had been warm, kind, like a little sun that brightened everyone around her.
He’d fallen for that Lizzy, the gentle one.
But the woman Elsa had be… She’d once framed Lily. He couldn’t forget the video of her going berserk–shredding Lily’s wedding dress with scissors, then shing the back of Lily’s hand with the same de. That crazed look in her eyes… it had chilled him to the bone.
Still… she had the safety charm he’d given her. She remembered the bond they once shared. How could she not be the same Lizzy?
Everyone made mistakes. She had probably just lost her way.
She had been with him through his darkest hours. To him, she would always be like a sister–someone he’d protect forever.
“She is Lizzy…”
Simon’s words were rushed, panicked. “Please… don’t post the video. Lily’s been hurt–I get it. I’ll make sure she’spensated. Just… let Wendy off the hook.”
James‘ tone didn’t budge an inch. “Wendy’s the reason Lily got hurt. She owes more thanpensation- she owes time in prison.”
His voice turned sharper. “Simon, stay away from that mother–daughter pair. I’ll find out who that girl from the past really was.”
“Simon…”
Elsa’s voice cracked as her lips trembled violently. Fear gripped her tighter than ever.
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Chapter 193 No Mercy
James and Simon had always been close. And now, James was refusing to show him even a sliver of mercy -and threatening to dig up that long–buried past.
It had been sixteen years, but if he really went digging….
The consequences for her would be devastating..
She couldn’t afford to let that happen. She couldn’t afford to fall into that kind of mess.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as her head bowed low, her voice trembling with icy helplessness.
“I didn’t know my mom would do something so horrible. I never meant to cover for her. But… she <i>is </i>my mother. She gave me life. I just… I can’t bear to see her behind bars. Please. I’m begging you. Give her one more chance.”
James scoffed. “Give her another chance? So she can hurt someone else?”
He had never believed that showing mercy to the wicked was an act of kindness.
Turning a blind eye to evil only ensured that more innocent people got hurt.
His lip curled into a cold sneer. “You’re overestimating yourself. No one in the Luke family ys saint.”
It was a clear deration: the Luke family would pursue justice, no matter what–it was toote for mercy. Elsa’s fingertips trembled.
She knew then–there was no changing James‘ mind.
She didn’t want to lower herself in front of Lily, a woman she despised.
But Lily had been the victim this time, and only Lily had the power to decide whether or not to press charges against Wendy. If Wendy were to avoid prison, it had to be Lily’s choice.
So Elsa clenched her teeth, swallowed her pride, and forced herself to face her.
“Lily. I’m sorry. I didn’t know my mom would hurt you.”
Even in apology, Elsa carried herself like a cold, proud rose–beautiful, aloof, and unwilling to bend.
She looked directly into Lily’s eyes, trying to sound sincere.
“I’ll make sure my mother apologizes properly. And we’llpensate you however you want. But she’s old now. Her health isn’t good. If she goes to prison, she won’t survive it. I’m begging you… please, show her some mercy this once.”
But Lily wasn’t listening to her.
She was lost in a daze, eyes fixed on the pendant in her hand.
didn’t seem real.
A delicate circle of gold filigree wrapped around a wless piece of white jade–so exquisite, it almost
Her parents had spent weeks learning traditional handicraft techniques just to make it for her by hand.
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Chapter 193 No Mercy
It was a memory. A piece of them she could still hold.
Four years ago, she had been stabbed twice while saving John. In the chaos, someone had stolen the pendant.
John had promised to get it back.
He had found it.
But because Elsa said she liked it, he’d broken that promise–he’d handed it over to her without hesitation.
And now, the one who returned it… was James.
The man who had always seemed to hate her.
The man who had once promised to never care.
His values. His decency. The way he saw right from wrong…
James was a truly good man.
What a shame he couldn’t stand her.
“Lily…” Elsa’s voice came again, softer this time, still clinging to a thread of hope. “Please don’t force my mom into a corner. I’m begging you.”
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