Chapter 10 No One Hurt My Sister After hanging up the phone , he sat in the chair , staring blankly ahead .
Elliot remained dazed for a long time before finally getting up and leaving the study .
Standing in front of the bedroom door , he found himself unable to summon the courage to push it open .
The tightly shut door felt like an invisible barrier , separating him from Lauren , who lay inside .
He believed that she had brought this upon herself .
And yet , his heart still ached with a dull , suffocating pain .
As he hesitated , a servant rushed over in a hurry .
Mr.
Elliot , Ms.
Willows birthday party is about to begin .
You should head OVET NOW .
Elliot hesitated for a moment , casting a deep glance at the bedroom before silently turning around and following the servant .
Inside the banquet hall , Willow was surrounded by a crowd , glowing like a princess at the center of attention .
She stood before an extravagant cake as the guests sang Happy Birthday in unison .
As the song ended , she took a deep breath and blew out the candles in one go .
In an instant , colorful balloons and ribbons filled the air .
The crowd cheered , their voices echoing through the hall .
Elliot stood among them , watching the sea of bright smiles .
But all he could see in his mind was Lauren , who was pale and weak , lying on the bed .
He wanted to smile , but no matter how hard he tried , he couldnt While the guests eagerly gathered around the cake , joyfully sharing slices , Elliot quietly stepped away to the champagne tower .
He picked up a glass , tilted his head back , and downed it in one gulp The liquor trickled down his lips , soaking his collar .
But he didnt care .
He kept drinking , one glass after another , as if fighting against the pain and guilt clawing at his heart .
Before long , his steps became unsteady , his vision swayed , and the laughter and chatter around him blurred into a distant hum .
With the last shred of his hazy consciousness , he staggered out of the banquet hall Before he even reached the bedroom , a violent nausea surged up from his stomach .
He barely made it to the bathroom before he bent over the sink and threw up .
When it was over , he gasped for air , his mind finally clearing a little .
Turning on the faucet , he let cold water splash over his face , snapping him back to full awareness .
Bracing himself against the sink , he lifted his dripping face and looked at his reflection in the mirror .
His hair clung messily to his forehead , water droplets sliding down his sharp features , making his face look even more defined .
With a self deprecating chuckle , he muttered , I didnt do anything wrong .
Why am I torturing myself ? This is insane .
Just then , his phone rang .
He pulled it out and saw Michael Quinns name on the screen .
Elliot wiped his face before answering .
Hello .
Mr.
Elliot , I found everything you asked me to look into .
2:39 PM Chapter 10 No One Hurt My Sister Finished Michael hesitated .
Elliot frowned .
What ? Well , Mr.
Elliot , you should prepare yourself Michaels voice was unusually heavy .
Elliots heart clenched .
He had a feeling that what Michael was about to say would be brutal , but he still said firmly , Go on .
Michael took a deep breath before slowly recounting Laurens experiences in prison .
Mr.
Elliot , after Ms.
Bennett was incarcerated , she was beaten almost every day .
That included slaps , being forced to drink toilet water , being deprived of sleep , and even being made to kneel and crawl humiliatingly .
If she resisted , they used needles on her .
Elliots grip on the phone tightened , his breath becoming ragged .
He gritted his teeth .
Where did they get needles in prison ? Ms.
Bennett was learning embroidery while serving her sentence , so … Ja A vein bulged on Elliots forehead .
He swallowed his rage and ordered , Keep going .
The worst beating she suffered was when six wooden rods as thick as an adults arm were broken over her body , shattering her legs .
She was hospitalized immediately .
A sharp , searing pain ripped through Elliots chest , as if someone was tearing his heart out .
His entire body trembled , and his eyes turned bloodshot .
Mr.
Elliot , I also found out that someone specifically instructed the inmates to treat Ms.
Bennett this way .
And all those responsible for attacking her had their sentences reduced .
A year ago , she was hospitalized again , but I couldnt find out why .
It must have been serious , though , because after that , she was transferred to a single person cell and was never beaten again .
This time , Elliot couldnt suppress his rage .
It surged violently , threatening to consume him .
Who ? Michael , who had followed Elliot for years , instantly understood what he meant .
It was … Mr.
Kenneth .
Kenneth Gray was Elaines brother , also Willows fiance by arrangement Or rather , Laurens fiancé , because Lauren was the real daughter of the Bennett family .
The air seemed to freeze .
The silence stretched .
Michael cautiously called out , Mr.
Elliot ? Cancel all partnerships with Gray Corporation .
Launch a full scale attack on their assets .
Elliots voice was hoarse and ice- cold , sending a chill down Michaels spine .
Mr.
Elliot , if we do that , Bennett Corporations interests will take a hit too .
Do as I said .
And I dont want to see those who tormented Laurie walking out of prison in one piece .
Understood .
Elliot slowly lowered his phone .
His arms hung limply by his sides , his mind consumed with images of Lauren , helpless and battered She had once been a bright, carefree girl .
But now , she had been tortured beyond recognition .
She had made mistakes , and the law had sentenced her to five years in prison .
But that didnt mean she deserved to be brutalized like this .
After a long while , he stepped out of the bathroom .
2/3 2:30 PM Chapter 10 No One Hurt My Sister .
But before he could step inside , he heard Laurens weak , pleading voice .
I was wrong .
I deserve this ..
Please , dont hit me … Finished Her nightmares , her desperate cries each word was a blade , cuning into Elliots heart until he could no longer bear to move forward .
He quickly shut the door , blocking out the sound , and stumbled into the study instead .
Late at night , the study remained dark .
Elliots phone kept ringing vibrating non stop , but he never picked up .
Eventually , the call ended on its own .
Elsewhere .
David was woken up by the sound of his phone .
Half asleep , he fumbled for it on the nightstand .
Hello ? The moment he heard the voice on the other end , his drowsiness vanished .
He shot upright in bed .
What ? His outburst startled Alice awake .
What are you yelling about in the middle of the night ? Davids face turned red with anger .
Elliot terminated all deals with Gray Corporation .
In less than one night , they lost 140 million dollars ! Thats impossible .
How is it impossible ? Even Kenneth called personally , demanding an explanation ! Furious , David threw off his blanket , stormed out of bed , and marched straight to Elliors room With a single , furious kick , he slammed the door open .