Chapter 26 Willow Pulls the Same Trick Again , Framing Lauren Youre full of sh * t! Elliot roared .
The law already sentenced Lauren to five years .
She paid her debt a long time ago ! Kenneths expression remained cold .
Paid She spent five years in prison and still walked out alive , but my sister is trapped in a hospital bed for the rest of her life .
And youre telling me thats fair ? As long as Elaine doesnt wake up , Lauren will never be done paying for what she did .
Shut up ! Elliots voice was hoarse with anger , his eyes red .
Lauren was beaten , humiliated , stabbed with needles , forced to kneel , and had her leg broken in prison .
She used to laugh all the time , and now she barely speaks .
Shes not even the same person anymore .
After everything shes suffered , how is that not enough ! He staggered back , knocking over a stool behind him , but he didnt even notice .
He just kept staring at Kenneth , his chest.
heaving .
My sister is crippled now , he spat through gritted teeth .
Is that enough for you ? Kenneth felt a sharp , inexplicable pain in his chest , like an invisible hand was squeezing his heart .
Lauren had turned Elaine into a vegetable .
He had no reason to pity her He shoved down the unwelcome feeling .
She got exactly what she deserved .
Whatever she went through in prison is nothing compared to what Elaine lost .
My sister had a bright future ahead of her , and Lauren destroyed it He let out a cold laugh .
And dont forget , Elliot you were the one who testified against Lauren when she tried to frame Willow .
You helped send her to prison .
Now you suddenly care about her She probably hates you more than anyone .
Elliots heart clenched painfully .
He never wanted Lauren to suffer in prison .
He just wanted her to learn from her mistakes and come out as a better person Rage burned through his veins .
He swung at Kenneth again .
Kenneth easily dodged , stepping aside as Elliots punch hit nothing but air Elliot lurched forward , slamming into the bar .
He gripped the counter , panting heavily .
Give me another drink , he slurred at the bartender .
Without a word , the bartender poured him another glass Elliot grabbed it and downed it in one go .
Alcohol dripped from his lips , soaking into his collar .
Kenneth sat beside him , gripping his own glass so tightly his knuckles turned white .
He looked calm on the outside , but inside , his emotions churned violently Lauren , you were supposed to have a brilliant future ahead of you .
But you had to ruin Elaines life .
Youre despicable .
Inside the bar , the flashing lights and pounding music drowned out everything else .
People danced , laughed , drank without a care .
Meanwhile , at the Bennett estate , chaos was unfolding Willow clung to Alice , sobbing uncontrollably .
Her cries filled the silent living room , each one a sharp , pitiful accusation against Lauren .
Alice held Willow tightly , saying nothing , but her eyes were full of disappointment and blame as she looked at Lauren .
བོ ཀཽ ཏི Davids face was dark with fury .
He pointed a trembling finger at her .
You pushed Willow down the stairs .
Were you trying to turn her into a vegetable too ? he bellowed .
You were already a heartless monster five years ago when you did it to Elaine ! You spent five years in prison and still havent changed ! Now Chapter 26 Willow Pulls the Same Trick Again , Framing Lauren Lauren met Davids gaze , cold and emotionless .
A deep , unshakable sense of despair filled her chest .
Finished She couldnt understand why her own father treated her with such cruelty , Her heart had been shattered beyond repair , but even now , she couldnt suppress the burning fury inside her .
Mr.
David , you of all people should know the truth , she said icily .
You were standing right there when Willow pushed Elaine down the stairs .
You saw it with your own eyes .
What , did you lie so much that even you started believing it ? Davids body trembled , his face turning an ugly shade of red .
Shut your mouth ! Lauren smirked .
Hit a nerve , did 1 ? Five years ago , Willow framed me for pushing Elaine .
Now , five years later , she throws : herself down the stairs just to pin it on me again .
And you still defend her .
You know exactly how vicious she is , but youd rather frame me than admit the truth Her voice turned sharp .
Sometimes I wonder am I really your daughter ? Or am I your enemy ? Because youre more than willing to destroy me for your precious adopted daughter She narrowed her eyes .
Willow isnt your illegitimate child , is she ? Is that why you treat her like gold and treat me like trash ? Davids face twisted with rage .
You ungrateful brat ! Ill beat some respect into you today if its the last thing I do .
In a blind fury , he yanked off his leather belt and swung it down on her The crack of the belt echoed through the room as it struck Laurens arm , instantly leaving a deep red welt .
Pain shot through her body like a knife slicing through her skin , digging straight into her bones .
She let out a muffled groan , instinctively curling in on herself , trying to shield herself from the blows But David die stop .
He was lost in his rage , striking her over and over .
The belt lashed across her back , her shoulders , her legs each hit more vicious than the last .
Alice stood frozen , hesitation flickering in her eyes .
Her hands twitched as if she wanted to stop David .
But then she glanced at Willow , who sat trembling in her arms , looking fragile and pitiful .
Any trace of sympathy for Lauren vanished .
She pressed her lips together and stayed silent .
Marilyn , however , couldnt take it anymore .
Sir , please stop ! she begged .
Miss Lauren is already injured .
If you keep hitting her , youll- David didnt even hear her .
His fury only intensified .
The belt snapped through the air again and again , the sound sickening .
Laurens body trembled violently .
Blood seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes , staining them red .
Her face was pale as a sheet , lips drained of color .
She tried to move , but her crippled leg made it impossible to escape She wanted to fight back , but against a man like David , she was completely powerless .
For the first time , despite all the suffering she had endured , tears slipped from her eyes .
Marilyns Heart broke at the sight comer kalianed for n carried those 1 suran 1 uran would rack Willow → Finished Chapter 26 Willow Pulls the Same Trick Again , Framing Lauren But Willow ! That girl was devious .
If anyone was framing someone , it was her Biting her lip , Marilyn made a split second decision .
She lunged forward , shielding Lauren with her own body The belt landed hard on Marilyns back with a sickening smack , But she didnt flinch .
She just held Lauren tightly , whispering .
Miss Lauren , dont be afraid ! Laurens eyes widened in horror .
Marilyn- Marilyn forced a weak smile .
Its okay , Miss Lauren .
Dont cry .
But Lauren couldnt stop .
Marilyn was just a housekeeper .
She didnt have to get involved .
She couldve turned a blind eye , and no one would have blamed her .
But instead , she took the beating meant for Lauren It hurt more than anything else .
Davids face twisted in rage .
Move , Marilyn ! No one is going to stop me from punishing this ungrateful disgrace ! Lauren slowly lifted her head .
Her eyes , filled with unshed tears , had turned ice cold .
For the first time , her gaze held something more than hatred .
It held the unmistakable glint of murder .