Chapter 358
Months had passed since Landon last saw Monica, who had lost a significant amount of weight. Her belly, however, had grown round with pregnancy. Her expression was full of sorrow, making her look heartbreakingly pitiful. Her appearance reminded Landon of Amelia during her pregnancy when she had been confined to Kyle Villa by Aiden. Back then, Amelia had been just as gaunt and emaciated.
“Landon, you’re here,” said Monica, wiping her eyes. By the time she lowered her hand, that old pride was back in her gaze. “So, you finally showed up.”
Whatever sympathy Landon had for her as a pregnant woman disappeared instantly.
“Landon, there’s no time like the present. Why not marry me today?” Monica said, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and desperation.
Landon let out a cold laugh. “Marry you? Who would want you after you’ve been ruined by Paul?”
“You!” Monica snapped.
Her face went pale, and Landon’s words cut deep into her pride.
“I was forced to be with him because of you! You gave me that love spell and made me see him first, didn’t you?” Monica shouted at Landon, supporting her waist. Her tears of aggrieved frustration fell one after another, like a string of beads snapping. Sure, Paul was a pro at that. With all sorts of tricks, he almost played her into a total mess. However, was that ever her choice? It was all Landon’s fault! If Landon hadn’t done that to her, they would’ve been together by now.
“Next time, why don’t you share that love spell with a beggar?” Landon said, his voice dripping with venom.
Monica flinched, covering her mouth as tears streamed down her face.
Monroe walked out with an electronic shackle locked around his ankle. Even as a prisoner, he still had that boss vibe about him. He shot Monica a warning look before speaking. “Mr. Mitchell, the secret to cloning is Landon himself. It’s up to you now.”
“Sure, I’ll marry Monica,” Landon’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his eyes glinting with a frosty chill.
His sudden, almost eager reply made Monica freeze. She wasn’t so sure about marrying him anymore.
“What… What are you planning?” Monica stammered, her voice shaking.
Landon said coolly, “I’ll marry you as you wish.”
Monica shot him a suspicious look, then quickly hid behind Monroe. “Daddy…”
“He will marry you according to the rules, but he’ll never love you. Do you still want to marry him?” Monroe looked at his daughter with a trace of pity in his eyes. They were out of cards to play against Landon now. Trying to force the marriage would only end in heartbreak.
“Daddy, I know what to do…” Monica whispered.
As long as she could get close to Landon, she was sure she could keep him in check. Take the love spell, for example. Marvel had prepared a more potent love spell for her. It was guaranteed to make Landon obsessed with her, and it was completely unbreakable.
“Someone, strip her,” Landon suddenly ordered.
Monica jumped in shock at Landon’s command.
“Are you insane? I’m supposed to be your future wife…” Monica cried out.
She thought, ‘To strip me in public, aren’t you humiliating yourself?’
“Strip her and run a full body scan. Let’s see what else she’s hiding,” Landon said.
Monica was shaking all over, fear written all over her face. She never dreamed Landon would go that far to guard against her. If they stripped her and checked, the things she hid on her body must be exposed.
“No. I don’t want to marry him anymore,” Monica cried, shaking her head and clutching Monroe’s arm for dear life. She was scared out of her mind that they’d drag her out and strip her in front of everyone.
“Landon, how could you be this kind of person? I won’t marry you!” Monica cried out, her voice shaking with tears and fury.
“This kind of person? Haven’t you heard that showing mercy to your enemies is cruelty to yourself?” Landon sneered. “Mr. Montgomery, either hand over core cloning technology, or watch your daughter be humiliated.”
Landon strode over and yanked Monica toward him without a hint of gentleness.
“Daddy, save me,” Monica cried out, her voice shrill with fear.
“Shut up!” Landon barked, clearly annoyed. “This isn’t your place!”
Monica wisely clamped her mouth shut, her eyes brimming with aggrieved tears.
Monroe turned to Larry. “You promised you wouldn’t hurt my daughter.”
“I did promise, but I’m retiring. Landon’s taking over from here,” Larry said, his face clouded with hesitation.
Landon was stunned.
‘Retiring? And handing everything over to me?’ Landon thought, disbelief flashing through his mind. ‘Why didn’t he say anything about this before I showed up?’
“Mr. Mitchell, you’re breaking your promise!” Monroe’s expression changed dramatically, and he instinctively tried to make a move. However, the moment he moved, his head felt like it was splitting open. The electronic shackle on his ankle sent a surge of electricity through him, making the pain unbearable. He doubled over, clutching his head as he sank to the floor.
“Daddy,” Monica called out, her voice full of worry.
Landon shot her a disdainful look and thought, ‘Idiot. She’s nothing but dead weight. She’s good for nothing except slowing everyone down.’
“Mr. Montgomery, I don’t lay a hand on women. Play it smart, and your daughter walks away unharmed. Otherwise…” Landon warned, his voice cold and dangerous.
Landon crouched down, his eyes narrowing with a threatening glint.
Monroe looked up and glared right back at Landon. Monroe refused to believe Landon could be such a scumbag inside.
“Think about everything you’ve done to me and my family. The only reason I haven’t torn you limb from limb is that mercy. Don’t push your luck any further,” Landon growled, his voice cold and dangerous.
Monica had never seen Landon this ruthless before. It scared her out of her wits.
Monroe stared at Landon for a long moment before finally speaking. “What about your sister, Landon? Don’t you want her to be happy?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Landon’s face darkened.
“Think it over and come back when you’re ready to talk,” Monroe chuckled darkly, his laughter low and strange.
Landon gripped Monroe’s chin hard and said, “Spit it out!”
“Don’t rush, young man. Time will reveal everything you want to know…” Monroe said, his voice calm and infuriatingly cryptic.
“Monroe Montgomery!” Landon barked, his patience wearing thin.
“Monica and I are expendable. But if you lay a finger on Monica, your darling sister will pay double for every bit of pain you cause her…” Monroe said, his voice low and menacing.
With a sickening crunch, Monroe’s voice was silenced in an instant.
Landon crushed Monroe’s jaw with his bare hands.
Monica covered her mouth, so terrified she didn’t dare utter a word.
“Lock them up. No medical treatment,” Landon ordered, his voice cold and unyielding.
“Yes, Mr. Kingsley!” the guards responded in unison.
Landon stood up, wiping his hands with a tissue as if he were disgusted by the whole thing.
Larry stood off to the side, stroking his beard with a wry smile. “Landon, you’ve gotten a lot more hot-tempered lately.”
“You’re retiring, Mr. Mitchell?” Landon asked, his voice low.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“My body’s giving out. I won’t be around much longer.”
Landon was caught off guard. He’d held prejudice against Larry before coming there, but hearing that Larry was seriously ill, his feelings got all tangled up inside.
“Mr. Mitchell…” Landon whispered, his voice suddenly gentle.
“I wanted to clone myself and send the clone back to keep Grace company. That’s the only reason I gave in to Monroe’s threats,” Larry said softly. “Landon, I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
“Mr. Mitchell…” said Landon.
“The place is yours from now on. Run it however you want. Just do one thing for me: make my last wish come true,” he said seriously.
Landon felt trapped. The only ones who understood the core cloning tech were Monroe and Marvel. If Landon wanted them to clone Larry, he’d be completely at their mercy. He hated the idea.
“Mr. Mitchell, human cloning is illegal. Besides, there are always problems. Look at Jonny, he ended up with a serious heart condition,” Landon tried to reason with Larry.
“I know. But Grace is getting old, and the clone would only need to keep her company for a few years. It doesn’t matter if there are defects,” Larry replied calmly.
“Mr. Mitchell…”
“Landon, this is the only thing I ask of you,” Larry said, his tone gentle but resolute.
The night had fallen by the time Landon stepped out of Project Azureveil. Tuff wasn’t part of the research team, so he wasn’t allowed into the most classified section. However, upon seeing Landon’s grim look, he could tell things hadn’t gone well. Tuff kept close behind Landon, pestering him, “So? How’d it go? Just say something already!”
“No big deal. I’m sticking around for now. Maybe I’ll quit later,” Landon said, sounding uninterested.
“Man,” Tuff sighed. “I saw this coming. Don’t stress. When Mr. Rumsfeld gets back, I’ll have him try to talk to Mr. Mitchell.”
Landon didn’t hear a word he said. Right now, all that was running through Landon’s head was: Mr. Mitchell has gone crazy.