Wings of Broken Time by Alina Das 553
This was music to Larissa’s ears. It meant she could be the one to interrogate Thatch.
“Excellent,” she thought. “I love making scumbags suffer.”
The memory of all the horrible things Thatch had done to Haskell made her eager to get started.
“Haskell, leave it to me tomorrow,” Larissa said, giving him a heads–up. “I never flinch when it comes to dealing with trash. I’ll get your brother’s whereabouts out of Thatch. Just promise me you won’t get soft–hearted and stop me.”
“I won’t. I’ve completely lost faith in him. Besides,” he added, a glint in his eye, “I quite enjoy watching you take out the trash.”
Haskell wasn’t lying. His initial attraction to her had been sparked in the countryside, but he had truly fallen for her in that abandoned factory, watching her systematically dismantle Finley. The scene had been both terrifying and beautiful, a masterclass in violent artistry.
Shaking himself from the memory, he asked, “How did things go on your end tonight? What was your grandfather’s motive for having Paxton’s family over for dinner?”
“He wanted me to cure Finley,” Larissa explained. “As you know, there’s only one real cure for that poison. I didn’t give it to him, but as long as he doesn’t do anything stupid, I can guarantee the poison won’t act up again.”
“That makes sense,” Haskell said. “It’s better this way. Finley will think he’s cured and hopefully won’t bother you again.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I’ve tormented him enough. Any more and he might actually kill himself.”
It wasn’t that Larissa felt sorry for him, but his crimes didn’t warrant death. Besides, he was her grandfather’s grandson. If she was indirectly responsible for his death, she couldn’t guarantee her grandfather wouldn’t die of grief and resentment.
“Larissa,” Haskell said, changing the subject, “your birthday is in about two weeks. This is your first one back with the Judson family. How are you planning to celebrate?”
“My parents are already planning a party for me,” she said with a smile. “My mom even designed a gown for me. It’s stunning, just as beautiful as the one from my welcome banquet.”
She continued, “As for how I want to celebrate, I told them about my old birthdays in Spire Village. The villagers there would always celebrate with me, but instead of giving me gifts, each person would teach me a new survival skill every year.”
“One taught me how to identify medicinal herbs, another taught me a foreign language,
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Chapter 555
another taught me about insects… It started when I was six and continued until I was twenty. So while I didn’t learn classical arts like piano or painting in the Haven Loft like Honora, the skills I have are just as valuable.”
Haskell listened intently as she spoke. He noticed how her entire being lit up when she talked about the villagers, a stark contrast to the cold indifference or sarcasm she showed toward Finley’s family. It was clear that the love and care from those villagers had shaped her into the brilliant person she was today.
“They believed in giving you skills, not just things,” Haskell said approvingly. “They genuinely wanted you to have a safe and prosperous future.”
He then added playfully, “So that means you’ve learned at least fourteen different skills.”
“More than that,” Larissa nodded. “Some of them might seem outdated now, but I found them fascinating. Things like origami or even marionette theater.”
Haskell was intrigued. “It sounds like the villagers were all old–world artisans.”
“They are,” Larissa said with pride. “Every one of them is incredibly talented. That’s why I told my mom I want to invite them all to the Judson estate for my birthday. I didn’t invite everyone to the welcome banquet because my position here wasn’t stable yet. But this time, I want them all to come. I want to show them that I’m doing well here in Regal City. And I want them to meet you.”
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Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
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