Johanna finally felt a sense of triumph!
She had endured being treated <b>as </b><b>a </b>lowly figure, keeping a low profile, hiding, and suppressing her feelings while having to watch Archie and Imogen act all lovey dovey in front of her for the longest time.
There were countless times when jealousy <b>had </b>driven her to dig her nails into her palms, to the point that they bled.
But now, she no longer had to hide anything. Johanna felt <b>an </b>immense sense of satisfaction, and her face no longer carried the meek and gentle facade she once wore. Instead<b>, </b>it was filled with unabashed arrogance!
Imogen, if it weren’t for your status, <b>do </b>you really think a blind, aging woman <b>like </b>you could have made Archie treat you so well?
“Let me tell you the truth–Archie is mine! Long before he met you, he and I were already in love! If it weren’t for gaining the Russell family’s <b>trust </b>and getting this seal, he wouldn’t have stomached the disgust of pretending to care for you!
“And I’ve had enough of <b>pandering </b>to you! Why should you be bom into privilege, living life above the rest of us? It’s time for you to experience what it feels like to be trampled on!”
Every single word that came from Johanna’s mouth <b>was </b>her heartfelt resentment toward Imogen. She could finally say
Laloud<b>! </b>
say it all al
Imogen listened, finding it all absurd. “When have Lever wronged you two? When your family fell from grace, I never mistreated you. On the contrary, I treated you like <b>family</b>, Johanna–like <b>a </b>sister! Your clothes, your food, your living conditions–everything <b>I </b><b>provided </b>for you was the best! Whatever I had, you had <b>too</b><b>! </b>I never made any distinctions!
“I never asked for your gratitude, but you still feel it wasn’t enough? What would be enough? Handing <b>the </b>entire Russell family over to you? Bowing and scraping at <b>your </b>feet? Is that what it takes to satisfy you?
Imogen let out a long<b>, </b>heartfelt rant, but she had still underestimated just b
how shameless Johanna and Archie could be. Not only did they fail to reflect on their wrongdoings, but they also brazenly used and criticized her!
In fact, they even retorted firmly, “If we don’t look out for ourselves, who will? is it wrong for us to seek a better life?”
Imogen was rendered speechless, to the point that she burst outughing suddenly<b>. </b>
She was amazed by the way they twisted that phrase to suit their needs. Regardless, they would have to lookout for themselves soon enough with what was about
A hint of mockery appeared on Imogen’s face <b>as </b>she decided not to waste her <b>breath </b>arguing with them.
Scumbags like them could never be reasoned with.
People who could be reasoned with wouldn’t have done such things in the first ce. Moreover, people like Johanna and Archie would always have their own twisted justifications. Their hearts were rotten to the core, their conscience far beyond salvation
Seeing Imogen fall silent, Johanna grew even more smug. “It’s good that you’ve epted reality. Since that’s the case, let’s end this quickly!”
Having said that, she nudged Archie’s arm, signaling him to take action and finish off Imogen. With both the Russell siblings gone, Archie would have an undisputed im to the Russell family.
Archie hesitated for a moment before taking off his belt and walking toward Imogen. In a soothing voice, he said, <b>“</b>Don’t be afraid. It’ll only take a minute or two. It won’t be too painful.”
Even after seeing through him countless times, Imogen still found <b>it </bughable to face the reality of it all. She let out a soft chuckle as her eyes turned red and <b>a </b>single tear <b>rolled </b>down her cheek<b>. </b>
“Archie, you truly have <b>a </b>heart of stone. You sweet–talked me and deceived me. Now <b>that </b>you’ve gotten what you wanted, <b>you </b>can’t wait to kill me?”
Imogen stood still, seemingly prepared to ept her fate. “Fine then. Don’t regret <b>what </b><b>you’re </b>about to do.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t regret it.
Archie slowly wrapped the belt around Imogen’s neck with a gentleness that made it seem like he was helping her put on a scarf. His face<b>, </b>usually so handsome and relined, was now chillingly sinister.
“I should be thanking you for getting me this far, but..” He <b>gradually </b>tightened the belt and whispered, “You shouldn’t me me for your stupidity, don’t <b>you </b>
Soon, Imogen’s slender neck waspletely constricted.
Without hesitation, Archie quickly tightened the belt, determined to make it swift and minimize the pain she <b>would </b>teel.
Johanna watched coldly, a wicked smile curling at theers of her lips. Suddenly, a thought <b>crossed </b>her mind, and she tumed to Imogen to add, “Don’t worry, <b>Ms. </b>Russell Once you’re <b>dead</b><b>, </b><b>I’ll </b><b>make </b>sure your son joins you in the afterlife!”
That one sentence struck at Imogen’s deepest<b>, </b><b>most </b>sensitive <b>nerve</b>!
Archie gave Johanna a helpless nce, his eyes filled with affectionate indulgence. “Didn’t we agree to wait a little longer before dealing with the child? He still <b>has </b>his use. Just hold out a bit longer. Once we’ve firmly taken control of the Russell family, then-”
He never had the chance to finish his sentence as a knife suddenly pierced through his chest, impaling him!
In the midst of eiciating pain, Archie regained his senses. Looking down, he met Imogen’s icy gaze. Hereyes.. She could see <b>again</b>?
Archie was shocked. In that briet moment, he quickly recalled Imogen’s unusual behavior recently, and now…
“You can see? When did you regain your sight? You knew all along, didn’t you?” His words <b>came </b>out with great difficulty, but he had already lost <b>all </b>strength Slowly, his body began to slide down until he copsed to his knees with <b>a </b>soft thud.
giving her
“Yes, I’ve known for a while, Imogen replied as she twisted the knife deeper into his body, her eyes never leaving his. Blood sttered across her face, giving an almost eerie look, but she was smiling.
“Archie, you deceived me for so long, so it’s only fair that I deceive you once, don’t you think? Oh, and by the <b>way</b><b>, </b>you shouldn’t me <b>me</b>. After all, this <b>is </b>the result of your own stupidity, isn’t it?” she repeated his words <b>back </b>to him.
The blow was fatal, and blood continued to flow <b>from </b>his body, Archie’s body slid further down, losing all strength.
Imogen removed the belt from her neck and discarded it. Her voice, though slightly raspy from being choked, still held an unmistakable tone of satisfaction. “Turns out your blood is warm, after all, I thought it’d be <b>cold</b>,” Imogenmented. She then startedughing in <b>a </b>daze.
Everything had happened in the blink of an eye.
Johanna finally reacted with <b>a </b>scream.
<b>She </b>rushed to Archie’s side, panic <b>and </b>agony written all over her face as her voice broke into <b>sobs</b>. “Archie, don’t sleep! Don’t <b>close </b>your eyes! Wake up, please wake <b>up_</b>”
stimes before. His gaze was filled with
Archie<b>, </b>clinging to thest of his strength, reached out and gently touched <b>Johanna’s </b><b>face</b><b>, </b>just as he had done countless ti bendemess.
“<b>Don’t </b><b>Don’t </b>cry. Go… Go <b>find </b>Mr. Carrell. Go with him. You’ll survive…” He used thest of his energy to speak those words before closing his eyes, his <b>faint </b><b>breath </b>finally ceasing.
Johanna’s mind went nd she felt as though her entire world had shattered. All that remained was the painful, anguished scream.
“Archie! Archie!”
Imogen stood quietly, watching this scene.
It was truly <b>a </b>touching sight
Archie’s <b>final </b>words were not filled with anger or curses but concem for Johanna. He was more worried about her falling into Imogen’s hands than about his own death.
Even as his breath lett him, he couldn’t let go of his thoughts for Johanna. His final nce at Johanna was full of affection, reluctance, and love.
If Archie had spent all his lies, schemes, and maniptions on Imogen, then all his genuine feelings, his true heart, and his love were reserved for johanna alone.