Chapter 450: The Scheme

“But…” Janessa hesitated.

“Your time is up. Have you said all you wanted to say?” The prison officer, noticing the time, approached.

“I’m sorry, could you give us another moment? It will just take a short while,” Janessa pleaded.

The officer frowned. “Hurry up. I don’t have all day.”

“I know. It’ll be quick,” Janessa said, and the officer left.

Rachel focused on Janessa. “Janessa, stop worrying. Everything I do is for your good. You can trust me. This medicine is safe. I would never harm you. Once you’re out, your uncle and I have everything set up. We’ll give you a new identity—you’ll be known as your Uncle Preston’s adopted daughter. This will keep you safe.”

Rachel spoke earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Janessa realized there was no other option. She nodded. “Okay, Aunt Rachel. I’ll do as you suggested.”

“Good, good.” Rachel nodded in satisfaction.

The prison officer reappeared, impatient. “It’s been almost five minutes. Are you done?”

“Yes, yes.” Janessa stood, waving at Rachel. “Aunt Rachel, take care.”

“Take care.” Rachel nodded, watching as the officer led Janessa away.

With a sigh, Rachel thought to herself. She hadn’t wanted to resort to such measures, but she had no choice. All she could do was hope Janessa would be unharmed.

Rachel then located the prison warden.

“Are you the warden?” Rachel asked with a soft chuckle.

“What’s wrong?” The warden glanced at her disdainfully.

Rachel presented a small parcel. “Ma’am, I’m aware of the harsh conditions. This bread is for my niece. I just hope she has enough to eat.”

Rachel produced some banknotes. “Here’s a little something for you. Your job isn’t easy, so treat yourself.”

“Tsk, tsk. Are you trying to bribe me?” The officer cast a sidelong glance, then chuckled coldly. She accepted the package and money. “Fine. I’ll help deliver this food.”

The officer nodded, quickly resuming her indifferent demeanor. “All right, get moving. This isn’t a place to linger.”

“Absolutely.” Rachel nodded repeatedly, turning and leaving.

The officer watched her go, a sly grin spreading across her face. She opened the parcel. Inside was a loaf of bread that looked incredibly appetizing.

“Ugh, what the hell is this supposed to be? It tastes worse than crap!” The officer scrunched up her face and spat it out.

She spat again, to rid her mouth of the awful taste.

She grumbled, “Is this woman out of her mind? The food she makes is so awful, yet she has the nerve to feed it to her niece. Unbelievable.”

The officer entered the prison, tossing a piece of the bread to Janessa.

“Janessa, your aunt sent you some bread. Eat it. Don’t leave any crumbs,” the officer said, a malicious grin on her face.

The officer remained, watching Janessa eat.

Janessa picked up the bread, glancing at the alarm. She wondered if the officer was watching her take the medicine.

Janessa casually took a bite, pretending to be unfazed.

“Cough, cough!” The bread was terrible; Janessa spat it out.

“Hahaha. What an absolute fool.” The officer laughed heartily, her cunning plan seemingly successful.

Janessa glared. Go ahead and laugh. Once I fake my death and escape, you won’t be able to trouble me anymore.

Janessa began stuffing her mouth with bread, heedless of everything else, eating swiftly and fiercely.

However, she immediately spat it out. Aunt Rachel, what on earth did you make?

Only in this way could Janessa truly eat the bread, and her schemes might succeed.

“Cough, cough…” Janessa coughed while eating the unpalatable bread.

The officer chuckled, growing impatient. “Eat every bit, got it? If I see any leftovers, you’re done for.”

The officer left, her laughter fading.

Janessa glared at her retreating figure. As soon as the guard was out of sight, she spat out the food.

Remembering Rachel’s words about the medicine being hidden in the bread, Janessa tore it apart.

Inside a small white package contained a tiny, flat, black pill.

This was the medicine Rachel mentioned.

Janessa stared at the pill, realizing she had no choice but to swallow it. Otherwise, she’d face five grueling years in prison.

The prison was a living hell. If she had to stay for five years, Janessa wasn’t sure she’d survive.