Chapter 40
“You know, every day in that hospital, I see people on death’s doorstep come
ne in and walk out miraculously healthy. Just a few days ago, there was this guy who had brain surgery and a heart transplant, and he made it out alive. Those doctors, they’re like fucking miracle workers!” Donna exclaimed. “And about your situation…
Shannon glanced at Donna, a mix of exhaustion and desperation clouding her face. It seemed decided Shannon was guilty, and was forcing a 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.
Donna
had taken this whole mess upon herself,
[ young, I don’t want to die… You’re all I’ve got. Please, 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 collapsed.
“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 chaos soon brought the cops and the doctor who had initially brought Donna. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
The doctor, Peter Dunlap, shot Shannon a meaningful glance 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, torn Just as she was about to leave, 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 surprisingly composed, dressed in a luxurious dark dress, perfectly made up, radiant as ever. In stark contrast, Shannon was still in yesterday’s school uniform smeared with garbage thrown by classmates, a complete mess
After that appalling things happened, Helen was a wreck, completely freaked out by everything. But once Matilda reassured her she wouldn’t be blamed and everything would be fine, she seemed to relax 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 her last night?” Shannon challenged her
Helen faltered for a second. The mention of Lily clearly shook her, but Shannon’s confrontational tone, that blatant disrespect, that was new for
Despite the turmoil. Helen had slept like a rock last night, not a single dream to disturb her beauty 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 display of emotion. For three years, Helen had hovered above everyone else, shielded by the Berry family’s unmense wealth and influence, 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 can’t 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 going down. And it’s not just about them. All the partners and companies connected to us will suffer too. We’re talking about 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 families, children, and the elderly
Shannon Mood ther
I just caw your mom. She i not doing well, but I’ve spoken to Dr. Dunlaps. 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 manipulated Iser using Donna’s health as leverage
5:10 PM
It had always been their unspoken agreement. Helen used Donna’s illness to manipulate Shannon, and Shannon felt powerless to fight back, knowing Donna’s well–being hung in the balance
“If you help me out I promise I take care of your mom like she’s my own. After her kidney transplant, when she’s back on her feet, Ill personally make sure she’s looked after at our place, Helen stated calmly. “My mom’s already got a top–notch legal team working, and my grandpa has been pulling some serious strings. Once this all blows over, we’ll work on slashing your sentence. You’ll be out in no time, free as a bird”
Helen kept laying it on thick, alternating between threats and sweet talk. “Shannon, come 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, then choked up. “Just… take some rest. I gotta go too!
Helen struggled to her feet, giving Shannon one last tearful look before she left
Once she was gone, Shannon’s legs gave out, and she slumped against the wall. She felt like a caged animal, anger bristling but powerless to lash 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 had 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 well from her own pat
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 that Shannon couldn’t quite discem.
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