Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The livestream cui to black , leaving viewers momentarily disoriented .

The chat immediately erupted .

Ugh , she’s not even making a sound this time ! What is that awful woman planning now ? )

[ Wait , this is different from her usual faints .

She normally makes some noise before passing out .

This sudden collapse … had to be either a knockout hit or drugs .

]

[ We already know the tea from last time .

Rowena’s just jealous for real .

Can’t fully blame her though – her mom’s whole sons – over – daughters thing got her messed up .

Not her stan brc ]

Interesting double standard .

Rowena gets excused but Elysia must be perfect ? Being beaten means she deserves more ?

The extended VR experience had transformed what started as casual viewing into something more profound .

Even the most devoted fans of Torin and Fenwick found their loyalties wavering as they witnessed the young girl’s memories firsthand .

“ Enough .

Release us immediately – the stream’s over , Fenwick demanded .

“ Rowena needs me – she’s in the hospital because of Elysia .

If this tragic backstory is meant to win forgiveness , show it to Rowena .

She’s the real victim ”

Fenwick apparently had completely forgotten about Rowena’s earlier words and behavior .

Then again , maybe his rose – colored glasses when it came to his half – sister simply filtered out any unpleasant reality .

Callan , unusually hesitant , turned to Stellan .

This rescue ! I’ll count it as a debt I owe her .

But compared to what she owes me ? It’s absolutely a drop in the ocean – nowhere near enough .

So no , I still won’t forgive her.

”

But Carllan wasn’t sure how to face Rowena anymore .

Perhaps it was that final glance before she left – so alien it had shaken everything he thought he knew about her .

“ Is that sot The day is still young – why the rush ! ” Stellan’s smile held secrets as he adjusted settings .

The projection screen flickered back to life , mountain scenes dissolving into the dim interior of a room .

Elysia blinked away blur .

Suddenly , Odessa tackled her in an him ! ”

in an embrace “ My goodness , you’re awake .

He lived – that mon

monster survived ! You didn’t kill

“ I Didn’t kill him ?” The words barely registered before relief washed over Elysia .

“ I didn’t kill himnt I didn’t kill himrii ”

Lyra burst through the door , fingers digging into Elysia’s arm .

“ Celebrating ? You cost me a fortune ! Those sedatives weren’t cheap , you worthless Investment .

” Her raised hand hesitated before settling for vicious pinches in places clothes would hide .

[ Look , the trafficker’s not so bad .

She didn’t hit Elysia despite the expenses ]

[ Defending traffickers ! Hope your family gets stolen by these “ nice ” kidnappers .

]

[ Damn ! Did anyone else feel that pinch ! I

[ Thank God – thought I was hallucinating ! So you all felt dut .

]

[ What’s happening ? This place haunted

Before panic could spread further in the chat .

Stellan’s voice cut through the confusion .

“ We’ve upgraded beyond visual sharing ,” he announced .

“ You now experience the memory owner’s physical sensacions .

Adjust intensity as needed .

”

Control panels materialized before each viewer .

After making adjustments with gestures in the air , their selections were locked in , unchangeable .

All this dramatic nonsense .

Bring it on – let’s see if it’s really that bad .

’ Fenwick maintained a composed facade , but internally he was fighting to endure with his hands bound , he had no choice but to bear the default setting of 100 % sensitivity .

Caellan deliberately chose full intensity – not to prove his tolerance , but to understand Elysia’s emotional state during her alleged crimes .

If there was even a trace of guilt , he might help secure a good lawyer to reduce her sentence , considering the once saved his life .

But if she felt entitled to her actions … then perhaps she deserved whatever punishment came her way .

Meanwhile , across the city at Drayton Group headquarters , Torin stood ourside his father’s office .

With a knock , the office door swung open .

Rupert continued his work without looking up .

“ Quite late , aren’t you ! ” His fat tone carried more threat than anger .

Torin took a deep breath and approached his father’s desk .

“ Sorry , Dad , but I’ve discovered hidden layers to my sister’s kidnapping years ago .

The perpetrators – there were definitely more than one .

And there’s more

“ Hold on .

Rupert narrowed his eyes at his eldest son , who had suddenly become uncharacteristically talkative .

The beads of sweat at his temples betrayed his anxiety and urgeixy .

1/2

10:49 AM D

Chapter 15

“ When was Rowena kidnapped ! ” Rupen asked .

Torin’s mind went blank at his father’s words , frozen in place as if spell – bound .

His lips trembled before he finally spoke .

“ I meant Elysia .

Have you forgotten-

best her place as

ace as my daughter

the moments

moment she pushed Rowena

“ Shut up “ ” Drayton’s face darkened .

“ Don’t mention that ungrateful wretch .

She lost her down those stairs ! ”

Though Torin couldn’t deny Elysia’s actions , doubt grawed at him .

“ Dad , why did she change so drastically after returning ? What drove her to hurt her family ? ”

Rupert stiffened , shocked not by the question itself , but that he was bring questioned by his son about that ungrateful wretch .

“ Isn’t it obvious What decent values could she learn in that barkwater ! She even sued her foster mother .

”

His dismissive laugh suggested a closed case until he caught Torin’s shocked expression .

Sighing , he parted his son’s shoulder .

“ That coldness is in her bones now .

Focus on Rowena instead .

Not my blood , but she’s loyal , devoted to you boys .

Don’t break her heart ”

Torin was instantly trapped .

Speaking up for Elysia would devastate Rower , yet they were both his sisters .

The weight of divided loyalty pulled him in opposite directions .

2/2 LAJ