Chapter 449: Will There Be Any Casualties?

Just as he was about to pack up his laptop, he noticed Madelyn had fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. “Madelyn,” Sebastian whispered, but she didn’t stir. It seemed she had drifted off. He moved carefully, trying not to disturb her.

After packing up, Sebastian gently lifted Madelyn, cradling her in his arms. He carried her to the bed and tucked the blanket around her. A good night’s sleep followed.

The following day was sunny. In the spacious Ingram Manor, Rachel finished grooming and dressing, then instructed the driver to prepare the car.

Half an hour later, at the prison, Rachel informed the officer she was there for a visit with Janessa. The prison staff promptly made the arrangements.

Janessa, clad in prison garb, huddled in a corner of her cell. Her hair was disheveled, her head bowed. She was silent, appearing almost catatonic. The prison officer glanced at her but remained unfazed; the prison was full of such inmates, and Janessa had only been there a few days. Considering the circumstances, she was doing relatively well.

The officer unlocked the cell door and said, “Janessa, your aunt is here to see you.” Aunt? Janessa was initially stunned. Then, her whole demeanor changed. Her eyes sparkled with frenzied energy. “Aunt Rachel has come to rescue me! Take me to her, quickly!”

“You’re truly a lunatic,” the officer said, shaking his head. “Follow me.” Janessa obediently followed him to the family visiting area.

“You can only chat for three minutes, no extensions,” the officer said before leaving. Janessa and Rachel stared intently at each other across the glass partition, their anxiety palpable. They longed to embrace.

Chapter 449: Will There Be Any Casualties?

During her imprisonment, Janessa had been unable to eat or sleep properly, consumed by agony. “Aunt Rachel, what on earth is going on? Why can’t you save me? Why?” she demanded.

“Alas…” Rachel’s voice hardened. “If there’s anyone to blame, it’s Madelyn! I intended to bail you out, but Madelyn interfered, leaving me powerless. She is despicable!”

Janessa was even more furious. “So, it’s her!”

“Indeed. She’s likely behind everything you’ve endured recently,” Rachel added bitterly.

“I should have guessed! I should have known!” Janessa’s eyes welled with angry tears. She felt she was on the verge of madness. She had suspected Madelyn before, but lacked evidence. Therefore, she had let her guard down.

Unexpectedly, her suspicion had been correct. Madelyn was responsible.

“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” Janessa seethed, her teeth clenched. Regrettably, it was too late.

“Still, if anyone is to blame, it’s you,” Rachel said, furious. The thought of being outmaneuvered by Madelyn was galling. “Janessa, if you had told me earlier how wicked she was, would we be in this situation?”

“I didn’t know it was her,” Janessa said indignantly. “I investigated, but couldn’t find any proof.”

Rachel sighed. “That woman is truly distasteful. She plays the innocent while pulling strings, acting as if she’s unrelated to everything. How despicable!”

Janessa was livid. “That wretched woman! I hate her! Unfortunately, I can’t confront her directly.”

A look of terror crossed Janessa’s face. “Aunt Rachel, do I really have to spend five years in prison? I can’t! I’ll die in here! It’s dark and terrifying. I can’t eat or sleep. The slightest disobedience results in scolding or beating. I’m in living hell!”

The thought of enduring this for five years weighed heavily on her. She felt a suffocating pressure.

Seeing Janessa’s agony, Rachel felt sympathetic. What good could possibly come from prison?

Chapter 449: Will There Be Any Casualties?

Janessa, pampered since childhood, was unaccustomed to such hardship. How could she possibly endure it?

Fortunately, Rachel had a plan. She softened her voice. “Janessa, don’t worry. I won’t let you stay here long. I’ll have the officer bring you bread containing medicine. This drug induces a brief state of dormancy, simulating death. After you ‘die,’ I’ll arrange for someone to meet you outside. Do you understand?”

“What?” Janessa was startled. “Is this medicine safe? Could it be lethal? I’m not going to die, am I?”

“What are you blabbering about?” Rachel reprimanded. “Would I give you something dangerous? We’re out of options. Escape means breaking out of jail, with harsh penalties. This is the only way. Once we’re out, I’ll give you a new identity. Janessa Sherritt needs to disappear. Only by making everyone believe you’re dead can you truly be safe. Do you understand?”