Chapter 959


    The ringing in Lina’s ears persisted, distracting her as she stared nkly at the ceiling.


    Clutching the sheet tightly, she felt her heart ache, reying the disturbing events in her mind. Violet


    had framed her, using a drugced handkerchief to incapacitate her.


    The realization left her in disbelief and filled her with anger.


    Tears welled up in Lina’s eyes, falling silently into the pillow as the weight of the situation overwhelmed


    her. Sleep eluded her that night.


    She received calls from her family and Gia, but she couldn’t bring herself to reveal the truth. Instead,


    she put on a brave face, assuring them that everything was fine and attributing her absence to


    exhaustion and a minor cold.


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    When Lina finally spoke to Gia, her voice trembled with emotions. Unable to contain herself any longer,


    she confided in her friend, pouring out the painful details of what had happened.


    “That’s ridiculous!” Gia was roaring. “Don’t let Violet go!”


    Lina forced a smile. How should she “not let her go”? Should she report it to the police?


    Frankly, she was scared. After all, it was something shady. If everyone found out, she would be


    troubled by rumors forever.


    However, Lina would feel injustice if she did not.


    “Lina, shouldn’t you find out… Who was the man who harassed you?” asked Gia.


    “I…” Lina bit her lip. “I don’t know.”


    “Then who sent you to the hospital?” asked Gia.


    Lina was stunned. ‘That’s right! How did I end up at the hospital? Did someone from the hotel send


    me?’


    However, if the hotel staff had found out that she had been ***ually harassed, they would have


    definitely reported it to the police before sending her to the hospital.


    The police never came, and from what the two nurses had said, her “boyfriend” had sent her there.


    Lina had an epiphany and quickly got off the bed!


    She shone her phone’s torchlight on the registration card at the bedhead. Apart from her name, the


    nurse’s name was on it, as well as a family member’s name.


    She looked at it while pointing with the tip of her finger.


    Zeke Hamerton!


    Lina widened her eyes. As if something heavy hit her heart, her mind went nk.


    …


    Lina was discharged from the hospital the following day and returned home. It was her routine to spend


    weekends at home while studying at the university.


    In the morning, her parents went out to buy her favorite dishes. They had closed their store for the day.


    Dave, her brother, had taken leave from his tuition ss and eagerly awaited her arrival, ready to assist


    with household chores and spend time together.


    Usually, Sundays at the Jenners’ felt like a festive celebration, with Lina being treated like a princess,


    pampered and cared for by her family. The love and warmth enveloped her, making her feel secure and


    cherished.


    Lina deeply loved her family, and their love for her was evident in their actions. Whenever she faced


    difficulties or hardships, her first instinct was to seek sce in the embrace of her family. Their home


    was her sanctuary, a ce offort and safety.


    However, today the atmosphere was different. Despite her parents serving her favorite dishes, the


    usually lively dinner table was filled with an unusual silence. Dave kept his head down, eating quietly,


    asionally stealing nces at Lina before lowering his gaze again.


    “What’s… wrong?”


    Lina set down her utensils. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that this silence was somehow connected


    to her.


    Putting on a forced smile, she looked at her parents and asked, “Are you keeping something from me?


    Is this because I went to school?”


    Her parents exchanged concerned nces, their expressions filled with worry.


    Lina purposely pouted. “I won’t eat until you tell me!”


    After a moment of hesitation, Lina’s father sighed heavily and turned to her mother. “Let’s tell her…


    She’ll find out eventually.”


    The atmosphere grew even more tense as Lina anxiously waited for her parents to reveal the secret


    that had cast a shadow over the dinner table.


    “No!” Her mother’s eyes were red. “I can’t say that out loud!”


    “Melissa Jones! You…”


    “Jesse! Nobody should do that to our daughter! I’ve never heard of anything like that!”


    “You…”


    Jesse stared at Melissa, but he could not say a word.


    Lina was confused. She could not help but be nervous. “What are you guys talking about?”


    Melissa could not help it and sobbed. “I disagree no matter what! We have money, so why can’t we


    protect our darling daughter!? If the Grists keep forcing us like that, I’ll fight them!”


    “Mom!” Lina hugged her tightly while Melissa cried like a baby in her embrace.


    Dave sighed. “Sis, the Grists dropped by before you came. They insisted on an arranged marriage. If


    you disagree, they’ll…”


    Lina frowned. “What?”


    “They’ll close our supermarket!” said Dave.


    “What!?” Lina was panting.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books


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    The nightmare from the previous night was still fresh, yet Violet did something even filthier today!


    Dave said with teary eyes, “Sis, don’t agree to that! The Grists are bullies and are using marriage as a


    threat!”


    “That’s right. Who do they think they are?” Melissa looked up and wiped her tears away.


    “Nobody should y with my daughter like this! Losing the supermarket is okay, but… nobody should


    touch my daughter!


    “Jesse, say something!”


    The mother and son were pumped up with justice while Jesse silently held his head low.


    Naturally, he did not want to trade her daughter with the supermarket.


    However, he knew how powerful the Grists were. The supermarket was small, and they sold low to


    mid-level daily necessities, but it was the family’s source of ie!


    The supermarket was all they had.


    If they did not ept the Grists’ condition, not only would they lose their money, but they would also


    not have security in Jangasas.


    Would the family have to leave their home like they were running for their lives? Was that what they


    wanted to see?


    “Jesse!” Melissa smacked his head. “Say something!”


    “What do you want me to say?” He was annoyed and mumbled while putting out the cigarette in the


    ashtray, “D-Do you have a better solution? We… can’t afford to offend the Grists.”


    “Can you be a man!?” Melissa said furiously. “We can’t afford to offend the Grists, but we’re not to be


    offended either! Without the wealthy Jenners in Jangasas many years ago, the Grists wouldn’t have


    achieved what they have today!”


    “Yes, I’m just a very distant rtive…”


    Jesse lit another cigarette, took a long puff, and the smoke lingered around his sad and helpless face.