The Sleeper's Wrath and His Wife's Strike novel Chapter 200

“The ship’s already set sail. If you want to leave, I can give you a chance.” Arthur’s words dangled in the air like someone teasing a dog with a bone—just enough to get your hopes up, only to snatch it away and lead you straight into a trap.

Lester didn’t even flinch. If Arthur had really wanted to let them go, he would have done it before they boarded. There was no way this was anything but another layer in his twisted game.

“Well, well, cat got your tongue?” Arthur stood and strolled over to where Lindsay and Lester sat. “Listen up. Each of you gets one chance to walk away. Are you sure you don’t want to take it?”

Lindsay smiled politely. “Thanks, but no.”

Lester shook his head. “I’ll pass.”

“You two agreeing on something? That’s new.” Amusement flickered over Arthur’s face. “I know you’re not exactly best friends. Tell you what—whoever wins in a fight, I’ll have a speedboat ready to take you back. How’s that for motivation?”

Lindsay instinctively glanced at Lester, certain he’d jump at the offer. After all, he hated her guts, and this was the perfect opportunity.

No way he’d say no. Would he?

Lester’s answer caught everyone off guard. “Sure, I want out of here, and I’ve got my issues with Lindsay. But I’m still a man. I’m not about to lay a hand on a woman just to save my own skin. That’d be beneath me.”

He’d admit it—he was the one who put out a hit on the dark web. But actually raising a fist to a woman? He just couldn’t do it. His pride wouldn’t let him.

Lindsay blinked, stunned. Was Lester possessed? She’d never expected words like that from him.

Arthur let out a low chuckle. “You think you’d actually be her match?” He didn’t sound convinced. In his eyes, Lindsay was hiding something. Anyone Yves took an interest in couldn’t possibly be just a pretty face.

“If you’re going to waste time picking a fight with me,” Lester retorted, crossing the small cabin to the window, “why not use that energy to work together and get out of here?” He opened the window, only to see the endless, black expanse of the ocean below.

Jumping now would be suicide. No fishing boats in sight, just certain death.

Lindsay remained unruffled. “Relax. Yves will come.”

“Yeah, I know he’ll come for you. But when? Wouldn’t it make more sense to at least try saving ourselves in the meantime?”

“In this little carnival of horrors, trying to escape might just get us killed faster,” Lindsay replied, calm as ever. “Might as well wait and see what happens.”

“Easy for you to say,” Lester snapped. “You’re not the first up for sacrifice.” He grumbled, “If I’d known you’d be this blasé, I’d have shoved you out there myself.”