Chapter 113
Lucy threw herself into James’s arms, sobbing hysterically. “James! Get me out of here! I can’t stand it! There’s no one to talk to in this awful place!”
Mrs. Chancer’s heart ached as she looked at her daughter. “Lucy, your brother and I were so worried about you. The moment we
heard you were in trouble, we went straight to that woman, but she refused to let you go no matter what! And that Zachary
Reynolds, he’s clearly determined to protect Sarah. But what were you thinking, Lucy? How could you be so reckless? You dare
provoke the Reynolds family!”
“Mom! I know I was wrong, I really do! Please, get me out of here! If this news gets out tomorrow, everyone will know I was taken away by the police! How humiliating will that be? I can’t let that happen!” Lucy’s cries turned desperate. She clung to her
mother’s clothes and James’s sleeve, sobbing uncontrollably.
But no matter how much she pleaded, James’s face remained cold and unyielding as he looked at her.
Panic flashed across Lucy’s face. “James, why are you looking at me like that? This is all your fault! If it weren’t for you, that
woman wouldn’t hate me so much! If you hadn’t divorced her, would she have been so quick to call the police on me?”
Slap!
The sharp sound echoed through the room. Lucy froze, stunned, as she cupped her cheek where James had hit her. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled over in shock and pain.
“Have you said enough?” James said, his voice filled with cold disappointment. “Do you still not realize what you’ve done wrong?
Sarah has already told me everything–how you and Mom smeared her reputation on the forums, how you tried to force her out of Adams University, and how you schemed against her again and again. What about the promises you made to me at the Reynolds family banquet? At your birthday party?”
His voice grew harsher as he continued. “You were out of your mind to think stealing the competition’s test papers and framing someone else was a good idea! I sent you to school to learn, and this is what you came back with? Instead of reflecting on your mistakes, you’re blaming me? Maybe you don’t need to be rescued. Maybe staying in this holding cell will teach you a lesson!”
Only then did Lucy realize what she’d said. James’s last words sent a chill through her. She grabbed her mother’s arm in a panic. “Mom! I don’t want to stay here! Did you hear what he just said? There’s nothing here–just an iron bed with a thin blanket! How
am I supposed to sleep?”
The thought of staying there any longer, or worse, being sentenced and going to jail, terrified her to her core.
Mrs. Chancer, unable to bear her daughter’s suffering, hugged Lucy tightly, her own eyes reddening with tears. “It’s all my fault,
Lucy. Don’t blame your brother.”
James sighed deeply, his frustration clear. “Stop crying. I’ll think of something
120 Bonus
“I knew you wouldn’t abandon me, James!” Lucy said quickly, wiping her tears as hope returned to her face.
“Stay here for now and behave yourself,” James said flatly, then turned to leave with their mother.
Lucy watched them leave, feeling a little relieved. She knew they would figure out a way to get her out.
Meanwhile, back at the apartment, everything had finally settled down. Mia had fallen into a deep sleep, though her brows
remained furrowed, as if troubled even in her dreams.
Zachary carefully lifted her onto the sofa and covered her with a blanket. With a heavy sigh, he said, “It’s been so long since she had an episode. I don’t know why it happened so suddenly today…”
Sarah sat nearby, equally puzzled. Mia had always been fine before. Why now?
Her gaze dropped to her own injured leg, and a thought crossed her mind. Could it have been the burn?
She hesitated before asking, “Mr. Reynolds, has Mia ever been burned before?”
