Lord Protector Novel

“You're holding Lacey hostage, aren't you?” Zeke asked indifferently.

“Hmph! Lacey had the audacity to try and steal Charles from me after screwing me over! I have to teach her a lesson or I'll hate myself for life! I can't be living like a coward forever!”

Damn it, Josephine! I'm already in deep trouble as it is! Why are you dragging me into this mess of yours? My entire family will be killed if the Great Marshal decides to take it out on me! Charles thought to himself. “Hey, Josephine! Let Lacey and Missy go right now! Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't!”

“Charles? What are you doing here?” Josephine had noticed a guy who was badly injured among Zeke's men, but she didn't realize he was Charles until he spoke up.

Charles took a deep breath and mustered all of his strength to repeat himself, “Hurry up and let them go, Josephine... Do it while you still can...”

“Fine... You're quite the cunning one, Williams! Let Charles go right now, or I will kill both Lacey and Missy! It's one life for two! You do the math,” Josephine uttered through clenched teeth.

“Before that, I want you to show me Lacey and Missy. I'll let Charles go once I see them. Surely, this isn't too much to ask?” Zeke said.

That's...

Josephine hesitated for a bit, and Zeke could tell that there was more to it than met the eye.

Josephine wouldn't be hesitating unless she didn't have the authority to bring them to me. That means someone else is behind all this, and she's just being used as a pawn.

With that in mind, Zeke said, “I know you couldn't possibly pull this whole thing off by yourself, let alone kill dozens of my spies from the North. You're acting under someone else's instructions, aren't you? Tell that boss of yours to show himself so we can have a talk!”

“Shut up, Williams! This is your last chance! Let Charles go, or I will kill Lacey and Missy! I mean it!” Josephine's patience was running out.

Not wanting to waste any more time arguing with her, Zeke turned toward the giant statue and shouted out loud, “Hey, you! You must want something from me if you kidnapped my wife and daughter, right? Show yourself so we can have a talk!”

Lacey and Missy emerged from behind the statue moments later, and Zeke felt relieved when he saw that they were unharmed.

He instinctively stepped forward to save them, only to hear a voice call out to him from the statue. “Hold it right there, Sir. Please, do not force me to kill.”

Zeke paused in his tracks.