Chapter 319

chapter319

After leaving the police station, Abellyn rushed directly to Chloe’s house.

“Aunt Abellyn, you’re back!” young Robby exclaimed, his eyes brightening at the sight of her. He always enjoyed her visits, though today she seemed more preoccupied than usual.

“Hey, Robby. Where’s your mom?” Abellyn asked, giving him a quick, distracted smile. Her anxiety was barely contained.

“She’s out grocery shopping. Come in and wait,” Robby said enthusiastically, leading her into the living room.

Abellyn sat down, her mind racing. She often thought about how much more sensible Chloe’s son seemed compared to her own Tommy. In her moments of frustration, she blamed Ryder’s "soft" approach to parenting for their son’s perceived shortcomings.

Sometime later, Chloe returned. Abellyn immediately stood up and grabbed her sister’s arm. “Chloe, you’re finally back! I was so worried at the station.”

“Tell me everything. How did the investigation go?” Chloe asked, her voice low and serious. She knew that if the police uncovered any evidence of premeditation regarding the incident, their plans for Abellyn’s future would be permanently derailed.

“I told them exactly what we discussed,” Abellyn whispered. “But they still seem suspicious of the circumstances. What should we do if they keep digging?”

Chloe remained composed, her eyes narrowed in thought. “As long as there is no concrete evidence and the primary witness is unable to speak, the situation remains in our favor. If you and Tommy keep your stories consistent, this will eventually blow over.”

“I hope you’re right, Chloe. I’m relying on you,” Abellyn said, feeling a slight sense of relief under her sister’s guidance.

“The real obstacle is Ryder’s cousin, Emmanuel,” Chloe reminded her. “He’s observant and protective. If he starts asking his own questions, things could get complicated.”

Abellyn’s expression soured. “He’s only managed to get ahead because of his wife’s influence,” she muttered bitterly. “But you’re right, he’s persistent.”

“Then we must change the narrative,” Chloe suggested. “You need to portray yourself as the victim of a difficult family situation. We’ll spread the word that the accident happened during a heated argument where you were just trying to defend yourself. We need to establish that story in Emmanuel’s mind before he looks elsewhere for answers.”

Chloe had always been the strategist of the two, her mind full of dramatic scenarios derived from the various serials she watched. She knew that if they could gain Emmanuel’s sympathy—or at least silence his suspicions—the investigation would likely stall.

Robby, watching from the kitchen, felt a chill as he observed his mother’s intense expression. He wondered what new scheme they were involving his aunt in this time, sensing that their words were steering toward a dangerous path.

When Emmanuel arrived at the hospital later that day, the hallways felt heavy with a somber atmosphere. As he approached Ryder’s ward, he heard the sound of sobbing coming from within.

He paused outside the door, hearing Abellyn’s voice rising in a plea for sympathy. “Alessandra, I’ve always seen you as my own mother. You have to believe me—I’m the one who has been suffering in silence!”

Inside, Abellyn was presenting a picture of distress and helplessness to Alessandra. “I had no improper intentions, but the situation escalated so quickly. Look at the marks on my arms—I was just trying to protect myself!”

Emmanuel pushed the door open slightly. He found Abellyn showing Alessandra several bruises on her arms and shoulders, claiming they were the result of a confrontation before the accident. She was using her apparent vulnerability to win over his mother’s compassion, her voice trembling with calculated grief.

“This... this happened because of Ryder?” Alessandra asked, her voice full of confusion and sorrow, as she looked at the evidence Abellyn was presenting.

Emmanuel stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the scene. He saw the way Abellyn was maneuvering for sympathy, yet he remained silent, his gaze shifting to his unconscious friend on the bed as he prepared to face the complex web of lies being woven around them.