Chapter 679


    Bradley endured excruciating heartache as he slowly ascended from the deste basement to the


    living room.


    The moment Mandy heard Bradley''s footsteps, she leaped up, her face filled with joy. "Bradley!"


    Bradley briefly nced at the servant and instructed, "Bring food to the basement."


    "Yes, sir."


    Mandy offered, "Bradley, how about I take the food to Ms. Quill?"


    Amusement flickered in Bradley''s eyes as he considered Mandy''s request. She nervously awaited his


    response.


    "Sure," he said.


    Taking the tray from the servant, Mandy cautiously headed to the basement. Despite the illumination


    apanying each step, an eerie sense of foreboding weighed on her as though a fearsome beast


    lurked in the shadows.


    She entered the basement, her gaze filled with pity as she approached the crystal coffin. "Ms. Quill, it''s


    time for dinner."


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Surveying the sumptuous meal on the tray, Mandy couldn''t help but wonder if Esther would have any


    appetite while confined in the coffin. In her shoes, she probably wouldn''t.


    "Mandy." Esther sat up with a hint of embarrassment on her face. She hastily adjusted her attire and


    tied her hair with a somewhat careless hairband. "How are things with the Pendletons?"


    Mandy hesitated. "My father and brother are likely going to jail."


    "What about Jolene?" Esther asked.


    After a moment of reflection, Mandy replied, "Jolene is carrying Chadwick''s child. It appears Chadwick


    killed her father..."


    ''So, that is the situation,'' Esther thought.


    Esther finally grasped why there was a stark contrast between Jolene''s portrayal of Chadwick and her


    own impression of him. Jolene''s words had been truthful, but Chadwick hadn''t initially taken her in out


    of kindness. No wonder he had been pressuring her to have an abortion!


    "Don''t lose hope. Eat and rest well," Mandy said.


    Esther ate her meal properly after Mandy left. She couldn''t afford to falter. Even with Bradley''s disdain,


    she had to remain resilient. She still had children to raise, and she couldn''t let them be orphans


    without parental love.


    -


    Upon Mandy''s return from the basement to the dining room, Bradley had already seated himself,


    eating. He nced at her coldly. "Mandy, you disy quite a bit ofpassion."


    Mandy forced a smile. "Bradley, I assume you don''t keep idle people here."


    "Not bad, you''re observant," he remarked.


    Mandy took her seat and quietly consumed her meal, though she didn''t take much pleasure in the


    delectable food. Instead, she ate in silence, recognizing the need to conserve her strength.


    If Bradley decided to treat her as he did Esther, she had to be prepared to escape, even if it meant


    plunging into the sea.


    Bradley elegantly wiped his lips with a napkin. He then raised his eyebrow and said in a deep voice,


    "Enjoy your meal."


    Mandy couldn''t contain her anticipation and stopped Bradley. "May I call my mother to let her know I''m


    safe?"


    "Of course."


    "Thank you, Bradley." Mandy was ted.


    Mandy believed that with X''s vast capabilities, all she had to do was exin her situation to Liora over


    the phone. X would undoubtedlyprehend her current predicament.


    Mandy set aside her food, headed to the living room, and dialed Liora''s number on the phone. "Mom,


    it''s me, Mandy. Are you okay?"