Cherise observed Ianâs smug portrait from her vantage point across the screen. She subtly tightened her grip on the microphone as she listened to his haughty tone. She asserted confidently, âIâm pretty sure Cherise wonât buy into your story.â
âWhy not?â Ian retorted. âYou donât know that country bumpkin well enough,â he chuckled. âBack in high school, she was always buried in her books while the rest of us slacked off. Thus, she was constantly ostracized by others. Whenever I showed her the slightest attention or gifted her anything, sheâd be so moved that she practically fell in love with me on the spot.â
âDamien, I acknowledge that you facilitated my release from the mental hospital, apologized, and even provided financial support. From your perspective, thatâs a monumental gesture. But letâs not overlook the fact that it was your actions that landed me in the mental hospital in the first place, shaping me into who I am today!â
Cheriseâs heart raced at Ianâs revelation. Damien was the reason Ian ended up in the mental hospital?
She pressed her lips together. âIs that so? I almost forgot if you hadnât brought it up. Were you admitted. because of me?â
âObviously! You saw fit to confine me to a mental hospital for the past six years because of that minor incident. And your sister even shattered both my legs back then. If it werenât for my resilience, Iâd be a cripple by now!â
âDonât you comprehend the magnitude of your actions?â Cherise gripped the voice-altering microphone tightly. âIf it were merely trivial, I wouldnât have resorted to locking you away.â
âYes, I concede!â Ianâs jaw clenched. âIt was my fault for spreading rumors about Cherise being pregnant with Lennonâs child, and I was also wrong to drug her and terminate her pregnancy. But at the time, your child wasnât even two months old. It was merely the size of a fingernail. Its loss wouldnât have made a difference.â
âAnd didnât I assist you in testing Cheriseâs loyalty to you?â After uttering those words, lan seemed to wrestle with guilt, seemingly realizing he was wrong. âRegardless of my past rights and wrongs, you need my help now. Youâve chosen to release me and even offered me financial assistance for your beloved Cheriseâ¦â
âSince youâve done so much, an extra three million and a house should be like spare change to youâ¦â
On the other side of the screen, lan grew more excited, oblivious to âDamienâsâ prolonged silence.
Cherise clenched the voice-altering microphone, her complexion pale. If lan hadnât spilled the beans, she wouldnât have fathomed what had transpired back then⦠The high school senior she had once revered deeply was actually such scum⦠At this moment, she was both furious and distressed.
Damien was someone who desired children greatly. Given how lan had caused them to lose their first child, Damien must have harbored such hatred for him. Flow could Damien have put his animosity aside?
However because she could only remember lan and recall memories related to him, Damien had swallowed his bitterness. Not only did Damien release lan⦠but Damien was also willing to provide with financial assistance and even extended an apology⦠seized a pair of scissors at her side, and strode forth resolutely to slice through the screen, On the other end of the screen, Ianâs face appeared. Sporting a thick beard, he continued spewing vile, repugnant remarks. It took him a moment to register that something was amiss, and he turned around.
âC-Cherise?â
âYes, itâs me,â Cherise retorted coldly, advancing toward him and locking gazes. âHello, Ian. Itâs been a while.â
Ian gawked at her blankly. âY-yes⦠Itâs been a while.â