The four kidnappers exchanged glances, wishing they could bite their tongues and die. Just then, Jeremiah strode in, his military boots echoing on the floor. His eyes, cold and deep as a frozen abyss, radiated decisiveness and brutality. Before they could react, he dislocated several of their jaws. "Want to bite your tongue and die? Dream on!"
Their jaws dislocated, they could only stare at Yvette and Jeremiah, resentment etched on their faces. Yvette narrowed her eyes, her voice flat and low, echoing in the dimly lit interrogation room. "By the way, I forgot to mention the available punishments. Let me briefly explain your choices. I suggest skinning alive: bury you, leaving only your head exposed, then cut a cross on your head, peel back your scalp, and pour in some mercury."
The kidnappers shook their heads desperately, their fear palpable. Jeremiah remained silent, his soldiers' eyes wide with shock.
Yvette leaned back in her chair, legs crossed on the table, an air of nonchalance about her. She picked up an orange, slowly peeled it, and spoke deliberately. "Not satisfied? Capital punishment or scaphism are also options. Starting at your feet, I'll cut a thousand pieces of flesh from your body, chop off your hands, gouge out your eyes, and slice off your ears. Don't worry, my knife skills are excellent; the pain will be excruciating, but you won't faint. You'll remain fully conscious every minute. How about that? Do you like it?" Her tone was surprisingly polite, almost overly friendly, if one ignored the subject matter.
With each word, the kidnappers' faces grew paler. They had never heard of such tortures, but they knew she wasn't bluffing. Their mental defenses crumbled, their earlier bravado gone.
Jeremiah's subordinates watched, amazed. They now understood why Mrs. Chavez could take down a Major General. What kind of woman casually peels an orange in this environment? they thought. The smell of blood was nauseating, yet she remained unfazed. Her combat abilities and interrogation methods were truly remarkable; utterly ruthless.
They worried about her standing in her family—it was indeed concerning.
Yvette rested her chin on her hand, a slight smile playing on her lips. Her gaze fell on the Bald Man, and she looked at Jeremiah. He understood and stepped forward, realigning the Bald Man's jaw.
The Bald Man felt no relief, only a complicated expression as he stared at Yvette, words unspoken. This woman is terrifying, he thought.
"Kaiden or Kyle?" Yvette asked lightly.
The Bald Man's eyes narrowed. He was a Tradecrafter assassin, trained by the Steel Serpents for Prime Minister Kyle. This mission, however, was a personal order from their leader, intended to secure Mr. Harper's victory in the succession struggle.
He gritted his teeth. I can't escape death, but I don't want to endure her tortures. He asked, "If I tell you, will you give me a quick death?" The other three glared at him, but he ignored them, his gaze fixed on Yvette.
Yvette rested her chin on her hand, replying unhurriedly, "Sure, the guest is important. Since you dislike my hospitality, I can't force it."
The Bald Man felt a surge of blood rush to his head. Is there a more shameless woman? he thought. The soldiers nearby stifled their laughter.
The Bald Man reluctantly replied, "It's Mr. Harper. We were ordered by the leader, Larry; only by killing Mr. Harper's opponent will he win and become the heir."
Yvette, having received her answer, stood up. "I have something to do; don't wait for me for dinner."
Jeremiah dismissed his subordinates, who took the men away. As the Bald Man left, he yelled, "You said a quick death!" but was ignored.
Later, Jeremiah took Yvette to his office, poured her coffee, and handed it to her. "Kaiden. I'll kill him."
Yvette surveyed the office, her gaze lingering on a corner of the desk before she casually looked away, accepting the coffee. "Jeremiah, I need to see this person myself. Killing him is something I should have done seven years ago."
Jeremiah's blue eyes flickered as he looked at her. Their eyes met, a silent exchange before he relented. "Fine. I'll leave him to you."
Meanwhile, Kaiden, unaware of his sealed fate, was still trying to regain Kyle's favor, only to be rebuffed.
Late at night, Kaiden returned to his room. Before he could turn on the lights, they suddenly flickered on, revealing Yvette and Charles sitting on the sofa. He staggered back, his face contorted with horror.
Yvette sat calmly, fiddling with her phone. Charles stood, looking at Kaiden with a glint in his eyes. "This guy really brought this upon himself, messing with the commander's future mother-in-law."
Kaiden cautiously asked, "Commander, what brings you here?" His tone was utterly humble.
Charles wasn't surprised. Yvette raised her eyes, put away her phone, and looked Kaiden up and down. Her voice was icy. "Will you kill yourself, or should I do it? You choose."