Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After Novel

Chapter 1154: Just behind him, Joanne lay eerily still, a raw wound splitting open the center of her chest. Her eyes were wide-blank with shock-as if time had shattered around her. She didn't seem to feel the pain. Her lips parted soundlessly, her gaze lingering on Jeffery, not with rage, but with confusion. Why? Why would he risk his life for Alicia? The chaos blurred until a commanding voice cut through it all. "Step back! Clear the area!" officers barked, forcing the stunned crowd to part. A team of doctors and nurses rushed in with stretchers, the wheels clattering against the tile.

Linsey watched in a haze as Jeffery and Alicia were lifted and hurried away, surrounded by a flurry of frantic hands and urgent voices. She didn't follow. She couldn't move. She just stood there-anchored in place, eyes dull, trying to make sense of the madness that had unfolded in what felt like seconds. "Linsey!" Dolores' voice broke through her haze. She appeared with Dustin and several of his men in tow. She rushed over and wrapped her arms tightly around Linsey, pulling her close. "Hey, are you okay?

Linsey..." Dolores could see her friend was shaken, so she held her close, offering what little warmth she could amidst the unraveling scene. Dustin's eyes swept the area, jaw tightening as he took in the aftermath-Joanne's lifeless body, the blood-streaked floor, the hum of medical personnel working swiftly. "Everyone not involved, please leave," an officer barked, corralling the lingering bystanders away. With no choice, Dolores gently guided Linsey from the scene, Dustin falling in step behind them. They found a bench nearby and collapsed onto it.

Dolores's eyes drifted to the blood smeared across Linsey's clothes, and her chest tightened. Quietly, she retrieved a pack of wet wipes from her bag, dabbing at the stains. But the blood had already dried, crusted into the fabric, resisting her efforts. "It's okay," Linsey rasped, breaking the suffocating silence. Discover what's new on gαℓησvls․com Dolores stilled, looking up. Then, after a moment, she nudged Dustin. "Get us some water?" "Alright." He turned and walked briskly toward a vending machine down the hall.

When he returned, he handed one bottle to Dolores, who opened it and passed it to Linsey. "Here. Drink something." Linsey gave a weak nod. "Okay." She raised the bottle to her lips and drank-but barely a few sips in, she choked. The water caught in her throat, sending her into a sudden fit of coughing. "Easy, easy-" Dolores set the bottle down and rubbed her back gently, trying to steady her. She worriedly searched Linsey's strained face, hesitating before she finally voiced what had been gnawing at her. "Linsey... I'm sorry.

We should've kept a closer eye on Joanne." Dustin stepped forward, his tone low and grim. "No. This falls on me. I should've been more alert. I'll take full responsibility for what happened to Jeffery and Alicia." Linsey clutched her chest, still trying to calm her wheezing. She shook her head slowly, forcing out the words. "No. This wasn't your fault. It was Joanne's. She... she couldn't let go. No matter how many times we warned her, begged her to listen, she just kept slipping further away." . . .