The Sleeper's Wrath and His Wife's Strike novel Chapter 99

Alexia’s hands tightened reflexively, her wide eyes darting nervously toward Lindsay. “Ms. Nelson, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Why are you so on edge?” Lindsay stood, reaching out to gently smooth Alexia’s hair as she let out a soft chuckle. “Am I really that intimidating?”

Alexia shook her head emphatically. “No, Ms. Nelson, you’re very beautiful.”

Lindsay only offered a faint smile at the compliment. Alexia always looked so harmless, almost innocent, but Lindsay knew better—she was cunning beneath that sweet facade. Otherwise, in a past life, Alexia could never have edged out the rightful wife.

“Relax. I’m just here to check in on you today,” Lindsay said.

Alexia blinked, skepticism flickering in her gaze, as if she wasn’t entirely convinced.

“I’m sorry for your loss. Charles died protecting my husband,” Lindsay said quietly.

Alexia shook her head. “It was Charles’s duty. He told me that Mr. Quigley was the man he respected most.”

“You seem to take it all in stride.” Lindsay’s lips curled, her words carrying a double meaning.

She’d already looked into Alexia’s relationship with her brother before coming here. The truth was, they’d never been close—Charles Laurier’s death meant little to Alexia. On the contrary, Charles’s sacrifice for Yves had secured Alexia a comfortable future. In a way, his death might have been a blessing for her.

Alexia let out a resigned sigh. “Life and death are up to fate, fortune is in God’s hands. Charles’s time just ran out, that’s all.”

To Lindsay, the words sounded cold—callous, even. Charles had traded his life for his sister’s security and comfort, and yet her only comment was that his time was up?

“Show me around your campus,” Lindsay said, changing the subject. She already knew that today, the famous director Kris Carter was visiting to give a guest lecture. By rights, Alexia should have been in class. Why, then, had she called in sick?

Alexia shook her head. “I’d rather not. I’m not feeling well today.”

“What’s wrong? I can walk you to the nurse’s office.”

***

Lindsay didn’t leave campus right away. Instead, she made her way to the lecture hall where Kris Carter was teaching. She stood outside, arms crossed, gaze icy as she watched Kris at the front of the room.

Her thoughts drifted back to another time, another life—a shadowy bedroom, her wrists and ankles bound, the sound of muffled voices and laughter drifting through the darkness.

When the laughter faded, a man appeared, leather whip in hand. Every time she cried out in pain, his excitement only grew. He dripped hot candle wax onto her face, her neck—her whole body.

It only got worse from there—his cruelty knew no bounds.

Even now, the memory made Lindsay’s hands clench. Part of her wanted to storm into that classroom and make Kris pay, right here and now.

Suddenly, a familiar voice snapped her back to reality. “Hey, are you just going to stand outside, or are you coming in to listen?”