It's Love That Blinds Him
It’s Love That Blinds Him – Chapter 41

Howell shifted uncomfortably as he watched Malcolm walk towards him. But he couldn’t say anything, even if he wanted to; the tape over his mouth prevented him from doing so.

Unable to do anything, Howell could only watch as Malcolm gradually moved closer to him. Malcolm’s movements reminded him of a lion stalking its prey. Once Malcolm was close enough, Howell could see that he was smiling in a cruel and evil way. He was certain that Malcolm was feeding off the fear he knew was reflected in his eyes.

“Howell, what a pleasure to see you again. Kaleb, untie him,” Malcolm said in a flat, emotionless tone.

Kaleb followed the order by doing as he was told. He untied Howell and violently ripped the duct tape from his mouth. Howell sucked in mouthfuls of fresh air, trying to calm himself.

“Give him a glass of wine,” Malcolm ordered coldly, still keeping his intense gaze on Howell.

Kaleb obediently obeyed the order. He poured a glass of wine and handed it to Howell. Howell looked down at the glass of wine Kaleb offered him, but he didn’t take it.

“Mr. Fu, I can assure you that Mr. Evans would not resort to such a shabby method as poisoning if he wanted to kill you,” Kaleb said ironically, as if he could read the thoughts of Howell.

Furious, Howell took the glass from Kaleb’s hand and downed it in one gulp. Malcolm still kept his eyes fixed on Howell. With a small, almost imperceptible gesture, he signaled Kaleb to leave. Kaleb nodded respectfully, and left the room, closing the door behind him. He stood guard outside, crossing his arms.

So Howell and Malcolm were left alone in the room.

They stared at each other, barely blinking. Neither spoke. It seemed as if they had entered into a silent battle of patience and reflection. Malcolm was the first to break their staring contest. Gracefully crossing the room, he went to the wine cabinet, took out a bottle and calmly poured it into a new glass. He raised the now full glass to his eyes as if studying the ruby ​​red liquid. He was actually looking at Howell in the reflection. He carefully swirls the wine in the glass before bringing it to his lips and taking a sip.

“What the hell do you want, Malcolm?” », blurted Howell, no longer able to contain his anger.

” Hmm? Malcolm hummed in response, as if he hadn’t understood Howell’s anxious words.

“I know you wouldn’t dare do anything to me.”

He could still use Wilma against Malcolm. There was no reason for him to be so afraid. As cruel as Malcolm was, he still had to consider his grandmother’s feelings. Wilma held a high position in the Evans family. If Malcolm hurt Howell, he would have a hard time justifying himself to her.

But Malcolm laughed at his words. “You’re really getting old, aren’t you?” » Despite the cruelty and coldness of Malcolm’s face, he had beautiful dimples when he laughed.

“You are in Egypt, not China. This is Alexandria, not S City. There are many ways to die abroad. And given that we’re in the Middle East… Would your death really be that hard to cover up? Why would grandma think I’m the one who killed you? » It was rare for Malcolm to be in such a good mood. And it was even rarer that he actually explained his plans.

“You…” Howell felt his mouth go dry as his heart began to beat frantically again. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead as his face turned pale.

“How dare you lay a hand on my wife? How dare you go against the Evans family? Hmm? As much as I want to hurt you, Howell, a part of me can’t help but admire you. You are the first to play such tricks on me and survive,” Malcolm stated coldly as he turned to face Howell.

“You are bold, I must admit. You changed our offer price in Europe. You lined your pockets with company funds. You corrupted the manufacturers and colluded with the distributors. You’ve committed a lot of crimes, Howell. Is the money you have amassed over the years not enough to satisfy your own ambitions? Do you still want to go even further? Weapons? Drug? Do you really want to reach them? Hmm? Are you so tempted by dark forces? asked Malcolm coldly.

Howell took an involuntary step back as Malcolm’s icy eyes pierced him. He felt his back hit the wall. He was stuck, he had nowhere to go. He was forced to look at Malcolm as the last one took a step in front of him, like a cat unwilling to let a mouse go.

“I thought too highly of you, Howell. If you had behaved well, I would have turned a blind eye to you. You’ve done enough for the Evans family for me to forget the loss you’ve caused. But…” Malcolm paused before continuing, “You’re too greedy. You couldn’t just be happy with what you have. You got yourself involved in the affairs of dark forces. Worst of all, you tried to kill her…”

“Do you really think the Evans family would have the power they have today without me? I just want to get back what I deserve! Howell shouted.

” Oh? Do you just want what you deserve? Do you know I almost lost an entire container of goods? And the factory furnace exploded? You don’t have the luxury of compensating for these losses. Even your life would not be enough. You are almost 90 years old, Howell, I must say that I admire your vigor and your courage. » Malcolm smiled, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“But of course, that’s not the point. The bottom line is that you tried to kill my wife. Is this your plan? You not only tried to take the goods, but you also made me leave City S so you could harm him. » Malcolm reached up and grabbed Howell by the collar of his shirt. He only held him for a moment before letting go, pushing him hard enough that he fell.

Howell started laughing maniacally. “If the eldest male member of each generation of the Evans family cannot produce an heir before the age of 35, the family is doomed to decline and death. I know all your family’s secrets. You will pay for what you did! » Hearing Malcolm mention Lucia sparked something crazy in Howell.

Malcolm gave a slight, humorless chuckle. “I have to admit that, of all my grandmother’s confidants, you are the best. I didn’t think she would tell you that. But that doesn’t matter. What difference does it make you know? Do you want your granddaughter to marry into the Evans family? And then what? Will you look for an opportunity to kill me and make it look like an accident? Then you’ll take over the Evans family? Malcolm said, not paying attention to Howell’s changing expressions.

“I know I will pay for what I did. It’s karma. But I am content to know that you will not live to see my death. » Malcolm smiled so charmingly at Howell that it gave him goosebumps. He was like a red and seductive rose, begging to be plucked, but whose thorns were covered with deadly poison.

” What will you do? Howell said, horrified, barely able to suppress the shiver that ran through his body.

“Oh, and one more thing. Did you really think it was going to be this easy to contact him? You are naive. You’re naive if you really think you know all the secrets of the Evans family. You are nothing more than a common pawn in his hand. A pawn, who if I may add, could not live a peaceful life even in his old age. You are the gift he gave me. He just wants to replace a valid excuse to have you killed. » Malcolm spoke slowly, squashing Howell’s sanctimonious thoughts.

“You were never qualified to stand by his side. You’re just the pin in the grenade in the war between the two of us. However, I’m curious as to why you suddenly betrayed the Evans family,” Malcolm said, narrowing his eyes.

“Oh, so there’s something you don’t know,” Howell said. He didn’t know why he was laughing and crying at the same time, but he felt helpless.

“If this has anything to do with you and Grandma’s relationship, you don’t have to tell me,” Malcolm said, fixing Howell with an indifferent look.

For a moment, Howell stood frozen, surprised. He just stared at Malcolm with his lips slightly parted. His affair with Wilma had begun long before Malcolm was born. This was long before Wilma married into the Evans family and changed her last name from Lopez to Evans. “How did Malcolm replace out?” »

“You seem surprised that I know.” Well, every secret in the world has a loophole that can be exploited. I suppose it’s the same thing, in a sense, as you knowing the secrets of the Evans family. The difference is, I know a lot more than you,” Malcolm quipped, taking pleasure in how shocked Howell was by his knowledge.

“You are a terrible person. » It was at this precise moment that Howell realized he had offended someone he shouldn’t have.

“It’s too late now, Howell, much too late. If you had stopped after my last visit, I could have overlooked what happened. But now it is too late. »

Malcolm smiled mischievously and moved too quickly for Howell to react. A loud bang rang through the air as a bullet buried itself deep in Howell’s heart. Howell didn’t even have time to say a word. The only thing he could do was raise a trembling hand to Malcolm and stare at him with wide, dying eyes. B***d rose into his mouth and leaked out the corners, dripping down his chin and onto his chest. As life left him, his body slumped forward and he slid down the wall to collapse on the floor.

His b***d pooled around him on the dark ground, creating a morbid and sinister sight.

“I want it cleaned up. Call Enoch,” Malcolm told Kaleb flatly as the other man entered. Malcolm cleaned his gun with a rag, then put it back in its box.

“Yes sir,” Kaleb replied with a respectful nod.

They didn’t have to wait long before Enoch arrived in the office. As he walked through the door, Howell’s lifeless body was dragged outside. Enoch looked around the room, then looked at Malcolm.

“Malcolm,” he said.

“Tell Grandma what happened.” As for the explanations of what happened, I leave that to you,” Malcolm said.

“I understand,” Enoch replied, nodding.

“The rest is up to you,” Malcolm said casually after a brief pause for thought.

“When are you leaving, Malcolm?” asked Enoch.

“Tomorrow,” Malcolm replied dryly.

” All right. I will return in three days when I have finished my work here. I will leave Byron and Finn behind,” Enoch said after thinking.

“See you in S-town,” Malcolm said, pouring Enoch a glass of wine. Raising their glasses, they clinked them, then drained the wine in one gulp. Without another word, Enoch set down his empty glass and left.

Malcolm turned around and stared blankly out the window. His gaze may have been blank, but his mind was deep in thought. Howell’s death meant that the danger facing Lucia was gone. Thinking of Lucia, the woman’s charming and provocative smile invaded his mind. He gave a small laugh.

“I wonder how you’re going to welcome me home, wild cat…”