Chapter 453: She Will Keep Hurting You

“He wants to know the exact cause of the female convict’s death. Could you please inform him?” said the prison warden.

Generally speaking, doctors maintain patient confidentiality. Hence, the warden obscured the truth, stating that Malcolm was Janessa’s relative. This would encourage the doctor to disclose the information.

Sure enough, upon hearing Malcolm was a relative, the doctor nodded. “The cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest,” he stated.

“Is it really that simple?” Malcolm was puzzled. “Did you check for pre-existing conditions, how the illness was triggered, or if it was due to improper diet?”

“I think so!” the warden exclaimed. “I recall the day she died; she seemed to have eaten some stale bread.”

Malcolm furrowed his brow. “Take me to see it.”

“Follow me,” the warden swiftly led Malcolm and the doctor to Janessa’s cell. The scene was undisturbed, with leftover bread scattered on the ground—clearly the bread Janessa had eaten that day.

Upon seeing it, Malcolm asked the doctor, “Could you please examine this bread?”

“Will do.” The doctor picked up the bread, ripping off a piece. He sniffed it, tasted it, then remarked casually, “This bread is made from starch and butter. Though it tastes unpleasant, it contains no harmful ingredients.”

“There was absolutely nothing wrong with that bread. I even saw Ava sneak a piece the other day, and she’s perfectly fine,” a prison officer interjected. The “Ava” she mentioned was the officer who had stolen Janessa’s bread and beaten her, but she had since been dismissed.

The warden nodded. “Mr. Schultz, I believe there should be no issue with this bread.”

The doctor agreed. “There’s definitely nothing wrong with the bread, so I suspect this female prisoner’s death was caused by depression and despair from incarceration. She couldn’t eat or sleep well, which likely led to her demise.”

“Are you sure?” Malcolm found the situation peculiar, but he couldn’t find anything suspicious.

Malcolm nodded. “Thank you. I now understand. I won’t trouble you further.”

“No trouble at all. Let me escort you out,” the warden said, smiling warmly as she saw Malcolm off.

Unfazed, the doctor returned to the morgue, gently covered Janessa, and prepared to release her body to her family.

After completing the investigation, Malcolm returned to Lockhart Group and reported, “Mr. Lockhart, I’ve seen Janessa’s body. She is indeed dead.”

Sebastian and Madelyn felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.

“Did you look into the cause of death?” Madelyn asked anxiously.

Malcolm nodded. “I’ve looked into it. The doctor suggested Janessa’s depression, triggered by her imprisonment, might have caused the sudden cardiac arrest.”

“All right then.” Madelyn was speechless. Malcolm had personally investigated and seen the body; she believed there was no room for doubt.

After his report, Malcolm left. Sebastian, seeing Madelyn’s furrowed brow, pulled her into a comforting embrace. “It’s okay. Now that Janessa is gone, it’s actually beneficial for you. Otherwise, she would have continued to hurt you.”

“She’s still a person,” Madelyn said, overwhelmed and on the brink of tears. Even though Janessa had killed her in a previous life, she couldn’t believe Janessa was simply dead. A knot remained in her heart; it didn’t feel right. She had anticipated their rivalry continuing after Janessa’s release, but that was no longer possible. In the end, Madelyn accepted reality.

Meanwhile, with Janessa deceased, the prison released her body to the hospital morgue.

The doctor led Rachel to Janessa’s presumed “corpse” in the morgue. Upon seeing Janessa emerge, Rachel smiled joyously. “Janessa, I’ve finally managed to get you out!”

The doctor smiled casually. “Mrs. Lowell, you truly are brilliant. Most people would never have thought of this scheme.”

“Of course. If I didn’t even know this little trick, wouldn’t all these years have been lived in vain?” Rachel smiled triumphantly. “However, we owe a lot to you. They probably wouldn’t have given up so easily if it weren’t for your intervention.”

“You jest,” the doctor said with a subtle smile. “How could I possibly be of any help? I’m merely a physician of modest skill, unable to determine the cause of Ms. Sherritt’s death.” He was clearly distancing himself.

Rachel was satisfied. “I knew I didn’t misjudge you. Don’t worry. Once this matter is settled, your reward will be transferred to your account. Just sit back and enjoy the good life ahead.”