Chapter one hundred and forty one

The man shrugged. “Oh, but I would,” he said. “I have no qualms about using…leverage to get what I want. And your mother is the perfect leverage.”

He leaned forward again, his eyes glinting with malice. “So, Cleopatra…the choice is yours. Will you cooperate with me? Or will you watch as your mother suffers?”

Cleopatra’s eyes flashed with anger, but she knew she was trapped. She had to protect her mother, no matter what. “I’ll listen to you,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

The man smiled again, a cold, calculating smile. “Excellent,” he said. “I knew you’d see it my way.”

He stood up, gesturing to the door. “Follow me,” he said. “And let’s go see your mother.”

Cleopatra’s eyes widened in horror as she took in the sight of her mother. She was lying on a narrow bed, her once-strong body now weak and frail. Her skin was pale and dry, her eyes sunken with dark circles underneath. Cleopatra burst into tears, rushing to her mother’s side. “Mother!” she cried, embracing h