Female NovelDespite having braved that harrowing night, Liz felt a chill run through her at Barbara's words.
Remington stared at Barbara, his expression stone-cold, yet a hint of crimson seeped into his eyes.
"Luna! Have you lost your mind? How could you do such a thing?"
Martin, his face a mask of shock and sorrow, steadied Barbara's frail form, shaking his head in anguish.
Stella moved closer, wrapping her arms around Barbara, the three huddling together in tears, as if they were the victims.
Suddenly, Stella turned around, fell to her knees with a thud, and bowed deeply twice to Liz.
Tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, "Liz, please, I beg you, can you forgive my mom? She only acted out of confusion for my sake.
My brother's gone, I've been wandering for years, enduring so much suffering. My mom just wanted me to be happy. Look, you're safe, reunited with Remington. This whole mess started because you ran away. Can't we just leave it at that?
If you agree to spare my mom, the West family will accept any form of penance. Liz, I'm begging you!"
Tears fell in droves, and Stella's forehead swelled and bled from her deep bows.
Her pale, bloodless face looked so pitiful and fragile, innocent yet filled with filial piety.
Liz found it absurd and stepped back to avoid Stella's touch.
Remembering how close she came to losing her life, she couldn't possibly feel any sympathy or be moved.
"Attempted murder is a criminal offense, Ms. West. I know you haven't had much education, but even elementary students know that criminal cases can't just be forgiven and forgotten. You have to face the consequences," Liz said.
Stella was visibly shaken and embarrassed.
She crawled forward, clutching Remington's leg.
"Remington, please, you know my mom's battling late-stage cancer. She doesn't have long left. After years of suffering and going blind
from crying for me, we've finally etnovelbin
reunited. If she can't find peace
because of me, how can I live with myself... Please, as long as you don't call the cops on my mom, I'll do anything!"
Stella tugged desperately at Remington's trouser leg, looking up at him with eyes brimming with sorrow. Remington gazed down at her his eyes dark and brooding, his lips barely moving as he spoke.
"Do you really claim to know nothing?"
A shiver ran through Stella, feeling the icy sharpness in his gaze.
Biting her cheek, she managed to stop herself from trembling.
Tears choked her voice as she replied, "I said, I didn't know about it, but it all started because of me. I'm young; I'm willing to go to jail for my mom."
By then, the faint sound of police sirens could be heard in the distance.
Stella collapsed, sitting on the ground but still desperately clinging to Remington's pant leg.
"Remington, for the sake of the life-and-death situation I once got you out of, for the sake of my severed finger, can't you spare my mom just this once?"
She lifted her deformed right hand, the ugly stub of her finger pointing up, her eyes beseeching Remington.
Barbara gasped for air in Martin's embrace, while he, too, was in tears.
"Remington, the doctors say she has at most two or three months left. What's the point of imprisoning her now?
I'm willing to transfer 10% of the West family's shares to Ms. Gardenia as compensation. We'll keep your godmother confined to the attic, never to step out untilher last breath, just like being in prison. Would that be acceptable?"