Chapter 35 Forced Into a Dead End Seeing Crystal frozen in place, Anna, with her face drained of blood, urgently repeated, âYour father tried to end his life inside!
He has been saved, but he is not doing well! Iâm begging you, Crystal. You have to find a way to let me see him! He has always had poor health. This is too big a blow for him!â
Anna swiftly covered her face and cried her heart out.
Crystalâs heart was in turmoil. She didnât want to believe that her father, who was as strong as a mountain, would try to end his life. He was fine when I saw him the other day! She immediately called Jake, begging him to arrange for them to meet John.
Jake had also received news about Johnâs attempt. In fact, he was just about to discuss it with Crystal after he invited her over to the law firm.
Crystal kept comforting Anna. Soon, the two of them went to the law firm without even having breakfast.
Jake had a solemn expression when he made a few calls in front of Crystal and Anna. He eventually put down his phone while he shook his head and told them, âHe is fine now, but he canât be released on bail. He has to be treated in jail.â
Because of Seth, Jake tactfully added, âCrystal, your fatherâs case involves the Sloan Group. How about you... talk to Mr. Sloan and see if thereâs anything else he can do?â
Mr. Sloan... Robert Sloan! Crystal closed her eyes painfully. I should have guessed that it was his doing! He has done so many outrageous things just to force me to go back to him. But how can I do that? Iâll be giving Dad a heart attack if he knows that I became someoneâs mistress by the time he gets out of jail!
However, she refused to not do anything about it. What will happen to Dad and Aunt Anna? Will our family really be ruined?
She numbly sat there as thoughts filled her head.
Jakeâs heart broke when he saw her state. He took a glass of warm water for her and suggested in a soft voice, âHow about you talk to Henry about this? I heard from Seth that you and Henry have gotten very close.â
Crystal felt like a needle was poking at her heart upon hearing those words.
It was a pain that spread everywhere.
Jake had been there before. He continued to speak in a reassuring voice, âHenry is not as unfriendly as you may think he is. He was even here a few days ago to take-â
He suddenly stopped when he remembered what Henry told him.
She would be disappointed if Henry changed his mind.
Crystal nodded after hearing his advice.
With her phone in her hand, she walked out and began to hesitate whether she should call Henry. But I rejected him just last night. Will he listen to me if I call him now?
She had no confidence things would work out.
But for her fatherâs sake, she still summoned up the courage to call him... only for the call to not go through. Henry had turned off his phone.
Crystal couldnât help feeling somewhat hopeless. I canât face Aunt Anna. Wait... Where did Aunt Anna go?
Crystal thought Anna had gone to the bathroom, but she couldnât find the older woman even after she looked around.
Starting to feel uneasy, she called Annaâs phone. âPick up the phone... Please pick up the phone...â she muttered.
The call did go through, but no one picked up the phone.
Suddenly remembering something, Crystal dashed into the elevator and repeatedly pressed a button in the elevator. She was shaking all over as she stood in that enclosed space.
Aunt Anna... Please donât do something you will regret.
Please donât...
Still, she was one step too late. The presidentâs office of the Sloan Group was already a mess by the time she arrived.
Robert was leaning against the mahogany desk with his hands covering his abdomen as blood steadily seeped through his fingers.
It was a frightening sight indeed.
Anna, on the other hand, tightly held onto a fruit knife. She seemed to be in a trance as she muttered non- stop in a way no one could make out what she was saying.
Crystalâs voice trembled as she called out, âAunt Anna!â
Anna was staring ahead as she mumbled, âIf I kill Robert, he wonât hurt John and you anymore... Crystal, I told you way back then that he is not suitable for you.â
Crystalâs face was covered in tears.
She gently hugged Anna and choked out, âDonât be scared, Aunt Anna... Iâm here!â
The wound Robert was pressing down on was still bleeding profusely.
The secretary wanted to give his wound some basic treatment, but Robert pushed the secretary away and turned to Crystal.
âCanât you see me bleeding?â he enunciated slowly. âCrystal Winters, you donât care if I live or die, do you?â