Chapter 40

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 brainsurgery and a heart transplant, and he made it out alive. Those doctors, they’re like fucking miracleworkers!” Donna exclaimed. “And about your situation…

Shannon glanced at Donna, a mix of exhaustion and desperation clouding her face. It seemeddecided 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 downto 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 gazegrowing 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 stillbleeding. Donna, barely conscious, gripped Shannon’s hand tightly. “Save me…

“Someone! Help! We need help” Shannon screamed. The chaos soon brought the cops and thedoctor who had initially brought Donna.

The doctor, Peter Dunlap, shot Shannon a meaningful glance before uying, “Miss Yancey, we’lltake 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 doeverything 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! Isit 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 withgarbage thrown by classmates, a complete mess

After that appalling things happened, Helen was a wreck, completely freaked out by everything. Butonce Matilda reassured her she wouldn’t be blamed and everything would be fine, she seemed torelax a bit

Here she was, responsible for Lily’s horrific death, yet she seemed to be chilling like nothinghappened. 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 confrontationaltone, 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 beautysleep.

Then, suddenly, Helen’s face crumbled, tears streaming down as she fell to her knees in front ofShannon, clutching at her legs. “Shannon, I screwed up. I’m so sorry for what I did to Lily, what I didto 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 hadhovered 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 justcan’t handle prison. The Berry family’s stocks luve already crashed twice. If this keeps up, the BerryGroup is going down. And it’s not just about them. All the partners and companies connected to uswill suffer too. We’re talking about impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. People will lose theirjobs, 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 butfor 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 gooilcare 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

Chapter 40

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 kidneytransplant, 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 hasbeen 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, helpme out here, please.”

Shannon locked eyes with her. She hadn’t expected that the Berry family was actually mapping outher entire future like she was just some afterthought. It felt like she had no control over her owndestany, just a puppet in their game.

Tuck of Shannon snapped.

“Shannon.” Helen paused, taken aback by Shannon’s cold rebutt, then choked up. “Just… takesome 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 acaged 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 overwithout batting an eye” Leas unexpected voice shattered the silence, causing Shannon to jerk herhead up.

When Donna had entered, Lea had been observing everything from the next room, watchingintently like a hawk

“Being convicted of murder could get you at least thirty years locked up. Your life hasn’t evenstarted, 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 doinghere?” 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 thatShannon couldn’t quite discem.

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