Chapter 515

Chapter 515:

After hanging up the phone, Madisyn returned to her tasks at the company.

The online furor escalated steadily. When Madisyn checked the Internet, it was awash with angry comments from the public. Several outlets had published photos of the children as they left the police station. The youngest was only four years old, and all appeared markedly sickly and frail, eliciting sympathy from everyone who viewed the images.

Reporters even managed to interview one of the children, whose face was smeared with dirt and whose clothes were tattered. Shockingly, the child said, “I’m sorry, Miss Johns, we just wanted to thank you. We didn’t mean to cause so much trouble. I’m sorry!” The young child bowed deeply to the camera, a gesture that moved countless viewers to tears.

“How could such a young child be at fault? Madisyn, you’re heartless! They journeyed a great distance by train to see you, and yet, you had the resolve to have them arrested!”

“My child is about the same age. If they endured such a long journey to reach you, their families must be facing hardships. How can you be so heartless?”

“Give the children a chance to live, Madisyn. Do you really want to watch them perish from hunger?”

With the manipulation of hired trolls, the online commentators’ emotions soared, and they collectively began to vilify Madisyn.

As Madisyn was reviewing the news, a knock echoed at the door. “Come in.”

Her assistant entered, escorting Emani, whose eyes shimmered, displaying no fear despite the tragedy of her companion’s death.

“Miss Johns,” Emani’s voice was melodic.

Madisyn glanced at her assistant, who promptly exited the room.

“Why are you here? Haven’t you returned yet?” Madisyn’s tone was gentle.

“Miss Johns, didn’t you promise to financially support one individual? Please, support me. Among them, my family is the most destitute. My parents are unable to work, and I am their caretaker.” Emani spoke with a heartrending plea, her eyes brimming with hope.

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“I’ll have a seat first,” Madisyn warmly invited Emani to sit on the sofa, offering her snacks and water.

As Emani sipped her water, she gradually unwound. Her eyes, moist with tears, fixed on Madisyn with expectation. “Miss Johns, can you support me?”

“But first, I need to understand how Bennie died.”

“I’m not sure either. We woke up to find him drenched in blood, motionless on the bed,” Emani shook her head, her expression one of innocence and confusion.

“Bennie is dead. Aren’t you frightened or sorrowful at all?” Madisyn’s tone was gentle, yet her eyes scrutinized Emani intently.

Emani clasped her hands tightly, her voice muted. “Miss Johns, Bennie was very cruel. He often bullied me because he was older, so I am frightened, but not that sorrowful. I’m telling the truth, Miss Johns. My family truly is the most destitute. Please, support me!” Emani implored, suddenly kneeling before Madisyn.

“Stand up!” Madisyn assisted Emani back onto the sofa. “Don’t worry; I’ll give it thorough consideration. For now, rest here and help yourself to some food, okay?”

“Okay…”

Emani, seeing snacks she had never tasted before, eagerly tore open the bags and began devouring the contents hungrily.

Madisyn exited the office, carefully placing some snacks into a bag and handing it to her assistant. “Have the police check if this matches the hair found on Bennie.”

“Understood,” the assistant replied, departing.

Emani, with vigor, had never imagined such delightful flavors existed, and now she could savor them every day. She felt as though she were in paradise!

Suddenly, her phone rang. Emani answered it, and her mother’s stern face appeared on the screen. Observing the crumbs around Emani’s mouth, her mother immediately chastised, “You little scoundrel, what are you eating behind my back?”

“Mom, it’s snacks from the benefactor.”

“If you have snacks, you have to save them to bring back for your brother. How many times must I remind you, you little rascal?” Sally Walsh scolded furiously. Emani lowered her eyes, overwhelmed by her mother’s constant favoritism. Despite being only a year younger, her brother remained at home, enjoying a carefree life while she labored daily, managing all the chores and caring for the animals.

“You little pest, are you deaf? I’m speaking to you!”

“Sorry, Mom. I was wrong,” Emani replied softly.

Sally, switching topics abruptly, asked, “By the way, is Bennie dead?”

“Yes.”

“How did that bastard die?”

Emani’s expression turned complex. She hesitated, unsure whether to reveal the truth to her parents. Her hand trembled as she remembered Bennie’s death. Although she had maintained her composure in front of Madisyn, she was still just a 13-year-old child grappling with overwhelming emotions.

“Mom, I didn’t mean to kill him.” Emani suddenly burst into tears.

“You little pest, what are you talking about?”

Emani recalled the horrifying scene of Bennie collapsing, blood pooling around him, and her fear became uncontrollable. Through her sobs, she explained, “Only one of us could receive the funding. Bennie promised to share it with me, but he came to my room at night and tried to attack me. I didn’t want to die. I don’t know exactly what happened, but he just… fell to the floor.” Terrified at the moment, Emani had quickly moved Bennie back to his room. Fortunately, the other children had slept deeply that night, and no one had noticed.

Sally was dumbfounded. “Crazy! You actually dared to kill someone. Didn’t the police find out?”

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