The Heiress Revived from the Ashes .
Chapter 91 Too Late for Redemption Finished Officer , I can testify ! She tried to strangle one of our patients , and she stabbed someone with a knife ! Please , you must arrest her at once ! If you dont , the entire hospital will be in chaos .
Its already causing panic among the patients and interfering with their treatment ! Willow said .
The officer gave a grim nod and reached for his handculs , ready to take Lauren away .
But just then , Alice forced herself up from the floor , despite the searing pain in her abdomen .
You will not touch my daughter ! she said , her voice fin and unyielding .
Her eyes were resolute , her tone brooking no argument .
Five years ago , she had failed Lauren once already .
She would not , and she could not , stand by and watch it happen again .
Even Elliot stepped forward .
My sister didnt try to kill anyone , he said .
His voice was tired , but his tone was unwavering .
Seeing both Elliot and Alice openly siding with Lauren Willow clenched her teeth so hard it hurt , but on the surface , she maintained her worried façade Mother , Elliot , both of you were injured by Lauren ! She tried to kill you on purpose ! If she isnt locked away , what happens when she wakes up ? Shell kill us all just like she tried today ! Elliot snapped .
His gaze turned sharp and cold as he barked , Shut up ! There was no murder attempt .
I said no , so no it is .
Officers , thank you , but this is a family matter .
No need to trouble the police with it .
Laurens body had already been pushed beyond its limits .
She would not survive another stint in prison .
Even Elaine had testified and admitted that it wasnt Lauren who left her in a vegetative state .
Which meant Lauren had spent five years behind bars for a crime she didnt commit .
The punishment she had endured had never been hers to bear .
But she bore it all the same .
A broken leg .
A missing kidney .
A healthy body shattered beyond recognition .
Lauren had once been the brightest student at Hoverdale First High School , but prison had robbed her of everything , including her future .
Now , watching Laurens frail body in Lucass arms , thinking of her suffering through those years of torment , Elliot felt his breath twist with pain .
Elliot … Willow started to speak again .
But the dagger sharp look Elliot threw her way made the words die on her lips .
The officers exchanged glances .
It was not their place to meddle in another familys affairs .
After a cursory check on Alices and Elliots injuries , they gave a few instructions for immediate treatment and left .
As soon as they were gone , the tension holding Alice and Elliot together unraveled .
Exhaustion swept in like a crashing tide .
Alice , pale and bloodied from her wound , swayed .
Then , with a dull thud , she collapsed in a pool of her own blood .
Elliots face was pale as well .
His legs buckled , nearly sending him to the ground after her .
1/2 21:46 Thu , Mar 27 51 % Chapter 91 Too Late for Redemption Finished quickly collected themselves and rushed to call for help ordering staff to take Alice and Elliot away For emergency treatment .
The moment they left , the room fell into silence .
Lucas looked down at the unconscious Lauren in his arms , his heart in a panic .
Without thinking , he tried to lift her , wanting to get her immediate medical care .
But Marilyn shoved him back with all her force like a mother bear protecting her cub .
Her eyes blazed with Jury as she shouted , Dont think that saving Ms.
Bennett just now makes up for what you did five years ago! You , the Bennett family , and Kenneth , youre all rotten to the core ! Marilyns shove sent Lucas stumbling .
It was as if someone had ripped the soul from his body .
Her words , sharp as knives , plunged straight into his heart .
His lips trembled .
He wanted to explain , to defend himself , but every word tasted hollow and empty .
His mind played back Elaines denial again and again .
She insisted that Lauren had never harmed her .
The memory struck him like a hammer , blow after blow , making his head pound as if it would split open .
Pain twisted through Lucas expression , and his body shook ever so slightly .
Back then , he had been so sure and convinced that Willow was kind and innocent , that she would never harru her best friend , Elaine .
He had believed Willow was the one being framed .
And Lauren was always the stronger one .
She had been the one who could endure anything .
She was Willows elder sister .
Surely , she could take her place in prison for five years .
She would only be twenty- three when she got out .
She would still have plenty of time to live her life , Lucas had never thought that his decision would lead to Lauren being brutalized in prison , left disabled , her life completely rewritten .
Now , the truth was laid bare , and Lucas was left with nothing but regret .
Regret so deep , he had no idea how to make amends ..
Lucas stood there , frozen , as he watched Marilyn slowly crouch down and carefully lift Lauren onto her back .
Every movement was so gentle , as if she were carrying the most precious treasure in the world .
With Madam Kate and Anna supporting her on either side , they made their way out of Elaines hospital room slowly and deliberately .
Lucas stood still like a statue .
His gaze was hollow , his soul drowning in an ocean of regret and anguish .
Sunlight streamed through the window , casting its golden glow over him , but it did nothing to ease the cold gnawing at his heart .
No warmth could reach him now .
It felt as though his spirit had been wrenched from his body , leaving behind nothing but an empty shell .
And in this hollow husk , guilt festered and -spread , consuming him until he trembled beneath its crushing weight .
Lauren … Lucas whispered , her name slipping from his lips in a hoarse murmur .
A single tear welled at the corner of his eye , glimmering as it fell .
For the first time in his life , he tasted what it was to be fragile .
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