On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 142

Robert Harris shook his head. “You have a child. You’re a mother. You should know how much a child means to a parent.”

“If you truly cared that much,” Jessica said, cutting right to the heart of the matter, “you wouldn’t have raised Lawrence to be the man he is.”

The manufactured warmth vanished from Robert Harris’s face, replaced by a cold, calculating scrutiny. “I underestimated you. You have your mother’s intelligence.”

“And if word gets out that your son tried to rape Lance Smith’s wife—Kevin Brown’s daughter—they would both be forced to seek justice for me, no matter how little they care for me personally. Just to save face.”

Robert took a deep breath. “Jessica, let’s stop dancing around the issue. What do you want?”

“George was protecting me,” she stated plainly. “Don’t go after his family, and don’t you dare touch him. Otherwise, I have no problem with mutually assured destruction. And we both know who has more to lose.”

Robert Harris walked over to the balcony and leaned over the railing. “You know, this rail is awfully low,” he mused. “No real safety measures. It would be a tragedy if someone were to… lose their footing.”

A faint smile touched Jessica’s lips. “You’re too kind to worry, Mr. Harris. An older gentleman with a bad leg like yours might accidentally fall. A young woman like me, on the other hand, would have to be murdered.”

He let out a short, sharp laugh. “Jessica, do you know how long it’s been since someone dared to threaten me?”

“I’m sure it’s been a while,” she replied calmly. “I believe in your power. Which makes it all the more tragic that you raised a son who forced you to experience being threatened again in your old age.”

His head snapped toward her, his eyes blazing with fury. His voice was a low, dangerous growl. “Aren’t you afraid?”

“Of course I am,” she admitted. “I’m terrified you’ll have me killed to shut me up. But using Melissa to get to you was the only card I had to play.”

“And then threaten me?”

“So you’re saying he met with someone?”

Jessica met his gaze. “Isn’t that what you’re suggesting? Why do you need to hear it from me?”

He pointed a finger at her. “If I really wanted to deal with you, you wouldn’t even be able to make a phone call, let alone stage a fall from this balcony!”

“I believe you,” she said evenly.

He frowned. “Then why would you dare to be alone with me?”

“Because I can’t let the man who saved me pay the price for my sake,” she said softly. “I know that my life might not matter to many, but my death would set off a chain reaction you can’t afford. You won’t touch me. And if all else fails… well, I’m not afraid to die.”