Chapter 40
“<b>You </b>know, every <b>day </b>in that hospital, I see people on death’s doorstepe
ne in and walk out miraculously healthy. Just a few days ago, there was this guy who had brain surgery and a heart transnt, and he made it out alive. Those doctors, they’re like fucking miracle workers!” Donna eximed. “And about your situation…
Shannon <b>nced </b>at Donna, a mix of exhaustion and desperation clouding her face. It seemed decided Shannon was guilty, and was forcing <b>a </b>confession, regardless of how Shannon felt.
Donna’s sudden movement aggravated her wound, eliciting a sharp cry of pain as she looked down to see her hands covered in blood.
<b>Donna</b>
had taken this whole mess upon herself,
[ young, I don’t want to die… You’re all I’ve got. Please<b>, </b>Shannon, help
“Shannon!” She trembled, clutching at Shannon’s leg in fear. “Help
me…”
Watchin Donu krieel and beg. Shannon felt her own resolve soften, her body weakening, her gaze growing distant. Her hope for the future was nearly shattered
Suddenly, Donna copsed.
“Mom! Stay with me… Shannon pleaded as she supported her mother, whose wound was still bleeding. Donna, barely conscious, gripped Shannon’s hand tightly. “Save me…
“Someone! Help! We need help” Shannon screamed. The <b>chaos </b>soon brought the cops and the doctor who had initially brought Donna.
The doctor, Peter Dup, shot Shannon <b>a </b>meaningful <b>nce </b>before uying, “Miss Yancey, we’ll take your mother back to the hospital now. Don’t worry, she’ll be well taken care of
Shannon hesitated, watching Donna’s fragile state, then turned to the doctor, pleading, “Please do everything you can.”
a was carried away. Shannon stood frozen by the iron gate, <b>torn </b>Just as she was <b>about </b>to <b>leave</b>, Helen appeared
As Donna was
“Shannon, are you alright?” Helen asked.
Shannon smirked. ‘How could she has the audacity to ask that after everything she have caused! Is it even possible for me to be alright now?”
Yet Helens looked surprisinglyposed, dressed in a luxurious <b>dark </b>dress, perfectly made up, radiant as ever. In stark contrast, Shannon was still in yesterday’s school uniform smeared with <b>garbage </b>thrown by ssmates, aplete mess
After that appalling things happened, Helen was a wreck,pletely freaked out by everything. But once Matilda reassured her she wouldn’t be med and everything would be fine, she seemed to rx a bit
Here she was, responsible for Lily’s horrific death, yet she seemed to be chilling like nothing happened. It was then n that Shannon realized just how heartless and cruel Helen really was
“Lily” was left a bloody mess, unrecognizable. Didn’t you have nightmares about herst night?<b>” </b>Shannon challenged her
Helen faltered for a second. The <b>mention </b>of Lily clearly shook her, but Shannon’s confrontational tone, <b>that </b>tant disrespect<b>, </b><b>that </b>was new for
Despite the turmoil. Helen had slept like a rockst night, not a single dream to disturb her <b>beauty </b>sleep.
Then, suddenly, Helen’s face crumbled, tears streaming down as she fell to her knees in front of Shannon, clutching at her legs. “Shannon, I screwed up. I’m so sorry for what I did to Lily, what I did to you. This guilt, this regret–it’s killing met
Shannon was caught off guard by Helen’s raw disy of emotion. For three years, Helen had hovered above everyone else, shielded by the Berry family’s unmense wealth and influence<b>, </b>unreachable. Shannon never thought she would see the day Helen would grovel before her.
She continued. “Slunnon, you’re my best friend. Please, help me. I <b>can’t </b>face being charged. I just can’t handle prison. The Berry family’s stocks luve already crashed twice. If this keeps up, the Berry Group is <b>going </b>down. <b>And </b>it’s not just about them. All the partners andpanies connected to us will suffer too. We’re talking <b>about </b>impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. People will lose their jobs, families will drown in debt, and some might even end their own lives”
Helen’s time turned desperate, almost pleading. “Shannon, I’m begging you. It’s not just for me but for all these people, for <b>families</b>, children, and the elderly
Shannon Mood ther
I <b>just </b>caw <b>your </b>mom. <b>She </b><b>i </b>not <b>doing </b>well, but I’ve spoken to Dr. Dups. He’s gonna take gooil care of her, ensure nothing happens to her,” Helen
The mention of Donna first shocked Shannon, then a mix of embarrassment and rage flooded her. For years, Helen had manipted Iser using Donna’s health as leverage
5:10 PM
Chapter 40
It had always been their unspoken agreement. Helen used Donna’s illness to manipte Shannon, and Shannon felt powerless to fight back, knowing <b>Donna’s </b>well–being hung in the bnce
“If you help me out I promise I <b>take </b>care of your mom <b>like </b>she’s my own. After her kidney transnt, when she’s back on her feet, Ill personally make sure she’s looked after at our ce, Helen stated calmly. “My mom’s already got a top–notch legal team working, and <b>my </b>grandpa has been pulling some serious strings. Once this all blows over, we’ll work on shing your sentence. You’ll be out in no time, free <b>as </b>a bird”
Helen keptying it on thick, alternating between <b>threats </b><b>and </b>sweet talk. “Shannon,e on, help me out here, please.”
Shannon locked eyes with her. She hadn’t expected that the Berry family was actually mapping out her entire future like she was just some afterthought. It felt like she had no control over her own destany, just a puppet in their game.
Tuck of Shannon snapped.
“Shannon.” Helen paused, taken aback by Shannon’s cold rebutt, <b>then </b>choked up. “Just… take some rest. I gotta go too!N?velDrama.Org is the owner.
Helen struggled to her feet, giving Shannon onest tearful look before she left
<b>Once </b>she was gone, <b>Shannon’s </b>legs gave out, and she slumped against the wall. She felt like a caged animal, anger bristling but powerless tosh out.
“Your mom is really surprised me. If the Berry family demanded your life, she’d hand you over without batting an eye” Leas unexpected voice shattered the silence, causing Shannon to jerk her head up.
When Donna had entered, Lea <b>had </b>been observing everything from the next room, watching intently like a hawk
“Being convicted of murder could get you at least thirty years locked up. Your life hasn’t even started, and it’s already being thrown away. It’s even crueler than a death sentence, Lea said coldly. She knew the feeling all too <b>well </b><b>from </b>her own <b>pat</b>
Shocked. Shannon scrambled to her feet and stumbled toward Lea “Lea? What are you doing here?” Shannon blurted out, bewildered by her appearance.
While she expected her mom and Helen, Lea’s presence caught her off guard.
Lea gazed back at her, her cold eyes softening slightly with an undercurrent of sympathy <b>that </b>Shannon couldn’t quite discem.
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