Chapter 39: Don’t Make Me Intervene
After applying her medication, Giselle Lambert attempted to get out of bed to freshen up, but was quickly scooped up into Henry Jefferson's arms and carried to the bathroom, where he gently set her on the cold marble countertop. The chill from the marble made Giselle pause and think about climbing down, but Henry's hand firmly prevented her from moving.
"Stay put, I'll brush your teeth."
Pushing him lightly, Giselle's tone was less than pleased: "I have hands, you know."
She despised this aspect of Henry-stripping even the freedom to brush her own teeth.
Ignoring her objections, Henry grabbed the toothbrush, squeezed on some toothpaste, and gripped her chin. "Open up."
Giselle clamped her mouth shut, resisting.
Seeing her subtle defiance, Henry chuckled, "Don't make me intervene."
His touch was gentle yet firm, his distinct, sinewy hand steadying her chin.
Despite his strong grip, he was careful not to hurt her, meticulously cleaning each corner of her mouth. To her own surprise, Giselle found herself almost enjoying the attention.
After brushing her teeth, Henry took a washcloth and tenderly wiped her face, treating her with the delicate care one might afford a person unable to fend for themselves.
Giselle closed her eyes, shutting out the world and resigning herself to his care, preferring this over any of his more distressing forms of attention.
Once he finished, Henry carried her downstairs. He activated the room's display screen with a remote, revealing a sequence of images.
"They were behind your kidnapping. Now, they're locked up in the underground chamber," Henry explained.
Giselle glanced at the screen, turned to grayscale by Henry for gentler viewing, yet the images were still stark and disturbing.
Beaten beyond recognition, the figures on the screen were identifiable only by the nearby machines that showed they were still breathing.
Giselle stared for a long time before hesitantly asking, "Are those... Clark Lambert and his family?"
Henry nodded. "I've already dealt with them. Whether they live or die is your decision."
The display was silent, but the absence of their screams somehow made the images even more eerie.
"Can I see them?" Giselle asked tentatively.
Clark had done much evil; she did not wish such a villain to die just yet.
Burdened with heavy gambling debts, if he died today by Henry's hand, it would almost be too kind.
Since Henry had already disciplined him, letting him go would mean the loan sharks could take their time tormenting him.
Henry pondered her unspoken thoughts for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Yes, you can."
He then gently fitted a protective mask on Giselle from a drawer and carried her out.
They descended to the second sub-basement, a dark and eerie place that made Giselle's skin crawl.
Ahead was a formidable door, emblazoned with an imposing crest-a soaring eagle with prey in its talons, dominating the door and projecting authority. Henry scanned his finger and provided iris recognition.
The massive door slowly swung open with a deep, rumbling sound.
Inside, pale blue light strips illuminated the area, bringing to life a scene reminiscent of a sci-fi epic.
Giselle was momentarily taken aback, not expecting such a high-tech world hidden behind the ancient door.
Henry's footsteps echoed solidly, the only sound in the otherwise silent expanse.
They moved down a long corridor to a white door.
Henry again provided iris recognition, and the door seemed to split open magically.
Giselle frowned, discomfort evident despite the high-protection mask-the stench inside making her body recoil, prompting a shiver in Henry's arms. "Uncomfortable?" Henry's hand soothingly stroked her waist, trying to alleviate her tension.
Giselle shook her head, her gaze drawn to the sight ahead.
Clark was roughly chained, his entire body secured to a crucifix, his mouth moving ceaselessly.