The cold tension in the basement weighed down on Sarah as she knelt beside John, her tears soaking his battered face. His shallow breathing and the bruises covering his body made her stomach turn with fear and rage. She gently stroked his cheek, whispering, "Stay with me, John… Please, stay with me."
John's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry. "I… I'm here, Sarah," he whispered, wincing as he tried to sit up. Every movement sent sharp pains through his body, but he couldn't let Sarah see how broken he felt inside. He needed to be strong for her, even if he barely had the strength to stand.
Across the room, Oliver stood beside Evelyn, who watched the scene with cold detachment. Taylor leaned against the wall, arms crossed, still smirking at the wreckage of John's once hopeful resolve. Joker's men remained by the door, their expressions unreadable but their imposing presence impossible to ignore.
Oliver took a step forward, glancing at Evelyn, his tone light but laced with the faintest trace of disgust. "This… this doesn't seem like you, Evelyn," he said, gesturing toward Sarah and John. "I've always known you to be ruthless, but this is… messy."
Evelyn's eyes flickered, but she kept her voice steady. "It was necessary, Oliver. We needed to make sure John understood his place. And Sarah…" She trailed off, her eyes briefly softening before they hardened again. "Sarah needed to see what her defiance has caused."
Sarah snapped her head up, glaring at her mother. "You think this is what I deserve? You think hurting John is going to make me come back to you?"
Evelyn's expression didn't change. "You made your choice, Sarah. You chose him over your family, over everything we've built. This is the consequence of that decision."
Sarah stood slowly, her hands still shaking, but her voice was steadier now, filled with anger. "You don't know what love is. All you care about is control, power, money. You would rather see me miserable in a marriage of convenience than let me be happy with the man I love."
Evelyn's gaze locked onto Sarah's, her jaw tight. "Love doesn't pay the bills, Sarah. It doesn't save businesses, and it certainly doesn't protect you from the real world. You've been living in a fantasy."
Before Sarah could respond, John coughed painfully, drawing her attention back to him. "Sarah," he rasped, his hand weakly reaching for hers. "I'm sorry… I never wanted you to be hurt because of me."
Sarah shook her head, her voice trembling. "No, John. Don't you ever apologize. This isn't your fault. This is them… all of them."
Oliver, watching the exchange from a few feet away, sighed. Despite his earlier bravado, a flicker of guilt crossed his features. "I didn't sign up for this," he muttered, shaking his head. Then, louder, he said, "Evelyn, this isn't the way to win her back."
Evelyn's icy demeanor cracked for just a second as her eyes met Oliver's. She had always valued his opinion, knowing his wealth and influence could save their crumbling business, but this unexpected empathy from him caught her off guard.
"Oliver, you know what's at stake here. Sarah's decisions have jeopardized everything we've worked for."
Oliver raised an eyebrow, glancing at Sarah's tear-streaked face before turning back to Evelyn. "Sure, but destroying her isn't going to fix it. In fact, if you really want her back on your side, this is the wrong approach." He paused, a sly smile creeping across his lips. "If you want her cooperation, let them go. Gain her favor. Show her mercy. You'll win her back that way, and maybe, just maybe, she'll see reason."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed slightly. She was pragmatic, always calculating, and she knew Oliver was right. Breaking Sarah's spirit wouldn't bring her back,it would only drive her further away. But letting them go, even temporarily, would show that she was still in control. The Lance family didn't need to crush their enemies; they just needed to make them submit.
After a moment of contemplation, Evelyn nodded slowly. "Perhaps… you're right." She turned to Sarah. "You and John can leave. But this is your last chance, Sarah. If you walk out of here, don't expect our help again."
Sarah's breath caught in her throat, surprised at her mother's sudden shift. Her mind raced, not sure whether to trust this moment of leniency. "And John?" she asked, her voice wavering. "He'll be safe? You'll leave him alone?"
Evelyn's gaze hardened. "For now. But if he gets in our way again, Sarah, there will be no second chances."
Sarah swallowed hard but nodded. She had no choice but to take this opportunity to get John out. She turned to help him stand, her hands trembling as she lifted him to his feet. He groaned, his body barely able to support his own weight.
Just as they were about to leave, the door burst open once more, and Joker's men dragged in John's beaten form again, though this time they were much rougher, tossing him hard against the cold concrete floor.
"John!" Sarah screamed again, rushing to him as he crumpled onto the ground.
The sight of his limp body, thrown carelessly like garbage, broke her. She fell to her knees beside him, tears streaming down her face as she gently held him. "Why would you do this?" she cried, looking up at Evelyn and the men standing around her. "He didn't deserve this… none of this."
Evelyn watched the scene unfold, her lips pressed into a thin line. She had already given the order to let them go, but the display of weakness in front of her made her uncomfortable
"I did what was necessary, Sarah," Evelyn said, her voice cold. "Now, you can either walk out of here with him, or you can stay and continue this defiance."
Oliver approached Evelyn once more. "You've made your point, Evelyn. Let them leave before this becomes even messier than it already is."
Evelyn hesitated, but then nodded again. "Fine. Take him and leave. But remember, Sarah… if you stay with him, you're choosing a life of misery."
Sarah looked up at her mother, tears still streaming down her face. "Maybe. But at least it will be my life."
With that, she turned her attention back to John, helping him to his feet once more. His body was weak, and his breathing labored, but he managed to stand, leaning heavily on Sarah for support.
As they hobbled toward the exit, Taylor, still leaning against the wall, chuckled under his breath. "You're making a mistake, Sarah. Don't say we didn't warn you."
Sarah didn't respond. She couldn't afford to. Her focus was entirely on John and getting him out of the mansion alive.
As they reached the door, Oliver called out, "Sarah."
She paused, turning her head slightly.
"You've always been a smart woman," Oliver said, his voice softer now. "I hope you know what you're doing."