Chapter 9
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"Why did you stand there and watch while Ella forced me to grovel and call myself a worthless bitch to save Wanda, then? Why did you do nothing when Ella stole Wanda's life-saving medicine and merely watch her slip away?
"Why did you remain indifferent when Ella and the others beat Wanda and me? Why did you come up with the idea of strapping Wanda and me on the roof of the ambulance to die, then?" I listed every detail of his so-called love with absolute, chilling precision.
Joseph's face grew a shade paler with every sentence I uttered.
"Your love makes me sick to the core, Joseph! You ought to know that meeting you is the greatest regret in my life! I must have been blind to think for a second that you were a decent person!"
"You have to hear me out, Yvonne! I really do love you!" Joseph's voice trembled as he shook his head in denial.
I sneered coldly. "You never loved me, and you didn't love Ella either. You only love yourself, your career, and your own interests. You would throw anyone under the bus for your own sake.
"You treated Wanda's life, my dignity, and my very existence as nothing more than stepping stones—things to be trampled on and thrown away whenever you pleased. Your future is over, and your dreams of getting admitted into the military academy are shattered now, Joseph.
"You're going to spend the rest of your life rotting in prison! You're finally getting what you deserve, Joseph!"
I took a step forward and hissed through gritted teeth, "You want me to plead your case, huh? You can dream on, Joseph! I'd love nothing more than to watch you be sentenced to death—to see you dragged down to hell!"
I turned and walked away after saying my piece, not once looking back.
I could hear Joseph's frantic howling echoing behind me. "You ungrateful bitch! You're nothing without me! You deserve everything that happened to you! You and that sickly weakling should have died on the field! You should have died on top of that ambulance!"
…
It was a few weeks later, and Wanda's health had improved significantly. She was finally fit enough to be discharged from the hospital to continue her recuperation at home.
Joseph and Ella's case reached its predictable conclusion. Joseph was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of attempted murder, abuse of authority, intentional assault, and harassment. Ella, as both accomplice and instigator, also received a harsh sentence.
Their futures were done for, leaving them with nothing but a lifetime of rotting behind bars.
In addition, regarding the students who had joined in the harassment and provided false testimony, the college handed down appropriate disciplinary actions following an investigation—some were given formal demerits, while others were placed on academic probation.
In their own way, they all paid a price for their actions.
That day, Victor's assistant brought me a formal document envelope containing an admission letter from Hearthwood University, a confirmation of a full scholarship, and an offer for the position, along with a job offer to serve as the Internship Director for Lawson Group.
It was then that the assistant stated respectfully, "Mr. Lawson asked me to inform you that all the paperwork has been finalized, Ms. Sommer. You're free to report to your new university whenever you're ready, and Lawson Group is prepared to welcome you at your convenience."
"Got it. Thank you," I said as I took the envelope, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over me.
In my past life, I had ended up dying a horrific death. In this life, my new beginning was only just starting.
