The messages were from Lilian. She had sent some photos of both Cynthia and herself dressed in white.
Lilian was dressed in a wedding gown, while Cynthia wore a bridesmaid’s dress which, in both design and fabric, was ast exquisite as the wedding gown. Standing together, they complemented each other perfectly, like the sun and the moon shining in the sky together.
Cynthia had just told him she would be a bridesmaid for Lilian, but for some reason, when Jonathan saw the photos, he felt a strange sense of unease.
Lilian’s satisfied smile, with a hint of tears glistening in her eyes, gave him a piercing discomfort.
This unsettling feeling only emerged once before, back when Jonathan thought Cynthia liked Filip. Yet now, with this woman, he felt an inexplicable wariness, which made him chuckle at his own reaction.
The more he looked, the more he felt something was wrong, Lilian had already gotten what she wanted; there was no reason for her to hold on.
When Jonathan recalled Lilian’s past actions, his expression grew serious. He had a theory, but he wasn’t sure of it.
Cynthia soon returned, opting to bring her food back rather than eat at the cafeteria. Jonathan was in a video meeting, so she sat down on the sofa and started eating.
Jonathan seemed somewhat distracted, occasionally glancing at Cynthia. The meeting soon ended. Cynthia hadn’t yet, finished her meal, and Jonathan went over to join her.
However, he chose to keep his suspicion to himself–firstly, because he wasn’t even certain, and even if it was true, telling Cynthia would bring no benefit, only unnecessary worry. So, he decided to wait and see what Lilian intended to do,
Meanwhile, Shirley had been held in detention for half a month. During this time, she’d been living like a miserable shadow of her former self.
The most unbearable part was that not a single person had come to see her–not Justin, not Selena.
Despite the countless calls she had made, they refused to come, simply saying that this was her consequence to bear, that wrongdoing deserved punishment. But Shirley had never believed herself to be in the wrong
She thought if anyone was at fault, it was Cynthia, who’d first stolen her place. Cynthia should have been a rat in the gutter, yet somehow took her rightful spot, rising to new heights.
Shirley couldn’t possibly accept that. But she eventually caved. Without the Jones family’s support, she might really end up in jail.
BJ’s lawyer had visited once to inform her that she was being formally prosecuted, with a court date set for three days later.
Shirley knew very well that if the Jones family refused to help her, she would undoubtedly be facing jail time. She didn’t want to go to jail.
She knew how formidable BJ’s lawyer was, and if convicted, she could be looking at ten years or more.
Her prime
would be gone, and she’d live with a permanent stain on her name. Her life would be ruined
Yet the Jones family refused to help, and Shirley hated them for it. In the end, she called Rachel.
Knowing that Cynthia and Rachel were close now, Shirley was sure that Rachel could convince Cynthia to drop the charges. She thought, “Better yet, Rachel might convince Cynthia to issue a letter of forgiveness, leaving the authorities no choice but
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Chapter 287
release me
el arrived quickly, she hadn’t even known Shirley was in custody, so when she heard of her t
immediately.
she rushed over
Upon her arrival, the police explained the full context, Rachel learned that Shirley was detained because she had drugged Cynthia three years ago, attempting to ruin her reputation.
In the visitation room, Shirley was led in, handcuffed.
The policewoman standing next to her said sternly, “You have fifteen minutes. If there’s anything you want to say, make it quick.”
As soon as the door closed, Shirley lunged toward Rachel.
She knelt at Rachel’s feet and begged. “Mom, please save me. Please help me.
She knew Rachel was soft–hearted. Ever since she was little, as long as she admitted she was wrong, no matter how big a mess she’d made, Rachel would clean it up for her.
Shirley cried her heart out. “They all want me to go to jail; none of them truly care about me. Mom, now I know–only you love me, and only you are truly my mother. I was wrong, Mom, really know I was wrong,”
Seeing Shirley bawling her eyes out, Rachel felt like her heart was being torn apart.
She scolded, “Shirley, how could you do such a thing? Haven’t you learned anything from what happened before? How could you drug Cynthia? How could you be so vicious?”
Shirley clung tightly to Rachel’s leg, as though she were clinging to her last hope.
She said, “Mom, I know I was wrong, and I regret it deeply. I shouldn’t have done that. But it was three years ago–a silly mistake from when I was young and didn’t know better. I acted out in the heat of the moment. Mom, please, you’re the only one who can save me.
Rachel slowly squatted down. As she looked at Shirley’s haggard appearance, tears streamed down her cheeks,
Shirley had lost a shocking amount of weight, her figure reduced to a frail shadow.
“Shirley, what can I do? I don’t have the power to help you,” Rachel said.
Shirley replied, “Mom, you do–you’re the only one who can help me. Please, go and ask Cynthia to drop the charges.
“Beg
her to let me go. She listens to you the most now. sure she’ll agree.”
If you ask her to drop the case and issue a letter of forgiveness, I’m
Rachel froze, her gaze on Shirley growing increasingly conflicted. “I can’t do that. I can’t force Cynthia.”
Shirley continued, “Mom, do you realize what’s at stake? If you don’t help, I’m really going to prison. Do you want that for me? Do you want me to spend the rest of my life in a hopeless place?
“Can you really stand to leave me like that? We’ve depended on each other for twenty years. You’re my mother–how could you just turn your back on me?”
Rachel was heartbroken.
Shirley pleaded. “Mom, I’m begging you. Please help me. You’re the only one who can help me now. Now I finally understand–you’re the only one in this world who truly cares about me.
“Once I’m out, I’ll cut all ties with the Jones family. I’ve already seen their true colors. Giving birth doesn’t guarantee
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Chapter 287
closeness; it’s the nurturing at builds true bonds. You raised me yourself. I have no real connection with them.
“Once I get out, I’ll do everything you say. I’ll live with you. We can start a small business together. I won’t cause any more trouble. I’ve given up on the dream of marrying into a wealthy family.
Tll live a steady life with you. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life. Mom, I’m Shirley, the daughter you raised with so much care and love for twenty years.
Rachel was overwhelmed with sadness as she said, ‘Shirley, it’s too late for you to understand these things”
She looked at Shirley, tears streaming down her face, and reached out to wipe away Shirley’s tears.
Then she said, “Shirley, since you know you were wrong, let’s work to make it right, okay? No matter the outcome, you will always be my daughter, and I will never give up on you.
“I’ll be here, preparing everything for when you’re out. If you really do go to prison, use the time to reflect on yourself. If you show good behavior, they’ll surely reduce your sentence
Before Rachel could finish. Shirley pushed her away in a fit of fully.
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