Chapter 171

Chapter 171

The officers standing nearby exchanged bewildered glances. They were all frozen in place.

The lead sergeant immediately waved his hand, signaling his team to stand down. Since no one was seriously injured and the crisis had been fully resolved, they'd follow standard procedure and close the case. Officers promptly contacted tow trucks to remove the two wrecked vehicles from the scene and clear the congested elevated highway.

After their emotions settled, Neville carefully escorted Jasmine to the nearest police station to give their statements. Under questioning, Jasmine calmly recounted the entire incident—from Grace's orders to Lisa and Michael sneaking into the complex in the middle of the night to cut the brake line. She reported every detail truthfully.

With a complete chain of evidence and testimony from the victims, the nature of the case was immediately established: attempted premeditated murder.

The police department's criminal investigation unit dispatched officers immediately. Using the address Jasmine provided, they located Lisa and Michael's residence and launched an overnight arrest operation.

At that moment, inside Lisa and Michael's home, the two had already packed their suitcases, exchanged cash, canceled their communication accounts, and made all the preparations to flee the city that very night.

After what had happened on the elevated highway, they knew full well that once the truth came out, prison was inevitable. Running was their only chance at survival.

"Everything's packed. We need to leave right now. If we wait any longer, it'll be too late!" Lisa's face was tense with anxiety. She kept urging Michael.

Michael's expression was dark. He muttered a curse under his breath. "This is all Grace's fault! She dangled benefits in front of us to get us to do her dirty work, and the second things went south, she washed her hands of us and threw us to the wolves!"

"There's no point blaming anyone now. Saving ourselves is what matters!" Lisa was just as disappointed in Grace.

As Lisa and Michael bickered, a sudden burst of urgent, rapid knocking echoed from outside the door. A cold voice called out, "Open up! Police!"

Lisa and Michael froze. Their faces went deathly pale.

They exchanged a glance. Both of them knew—it was over. They'd schemed and plotted against everyone, and in the end, they couldn't escape the law.

The two gave up any pointless resistance and stood there, defeated. Officers burst through the door, stepped forward swiftly, produced handcuffs, and arrested them both on the spot.

City Central Hospital.

After their brush with death on the elevated highway, Neville and Jasmine rushed to the hospital floor where Louisa's room was located.

Jean, who had been waiting outside, immediately stood and approached them. Her gaze locked onto Neville. Her voice trembled. "Nev."

Neville's expression turned cold instantly. "Who told you to stay here?"

Jean hesitated but replied quietly, "I was worried about your safety. I've been waiting here for news."

"Whether we live or die has nothing to do with you." Neville shielded Jasmine and brushed past Jean, his tone distant and firm. "I haven't settled accounts with you for what happened before. I don't want to lose my temper in a hospital. You'd better leave now. Don't make yourself an eyesore."

The tension between mother and son was palpable. Jasmine gently tugged on Neville's sleeve, signaling him not to argue with Jean.

Neville's expression softened slightly, but he still didn't give Jean any courtesy.

Just then, Louisa's attending physician stepped out of the ICU, a rare smile on his face. "Are you the patient's family? I just completed a full reexamination of Mrs. Lane. Her recovery is far better than I anticipated. Her nervous system activity is remarkably high. As long as she continues with rehabilitation training and rests for a while, there's no problem with her regaining basic mobility and speech."

Hearing the good news, Jasmine's heart, which had been suspended for days, finally settled—though some worry still lingered. "Doctor, she was in a severe coma before. Her brain suffered significant trauma. Even if she appears to recover normally on the outside, could there be lingering aftereffects? Like latent brain disease or memory decline? Will it affect her health long-term?"

The doctor's tone carried undeniable regret. "The intracranial bleeding and pressure lasted too long. The brain tissue has sustained irreversible damage. External mobility and speech can be restored through rehabilitation, but the brain damage cannot be cured. There's a high probability she'll experience slower reactions, memory gaps, and emotional instability going forward. These are permanent aftereffects. There's nothing anyone can do about it."

The word 'irreversible' extinguished all of Jasmine's joy.

She stood frozen in place. Her fingertips trembled slightly. Her eyes instantly reddened.

Louisa had woken up. They'd all made it through the most difficult stage. But fate had still left them with a wound that could never be healed.

Jean, standing nearby, took in every flicker of emotion on Jasmine's face. Her heart was a tangled mess.

The woman Jasmine had fought so hard to protect wasn't just her boss. She was her biological mother.

And Grace, who had stolen Jasmine's place and claimed everything that was hers, was nothing more than a pawn Lisa had used for profit.

Jean's throat tightened. Several times, the words surged to the tip of her tongue. She was one step away from revealing the entire truth. But each time, she forced herself to swallow them back down.

For the first time, she truly saw Jasmine's kindness.

Even knowing there was no blood relation, Jasmine had given everything to protect Louisa.

If she learned that the person she'd risked her life to protect was her biological mother, how devastated would Jasmine be?

Jean clenched her jaw and suppressed the urge to reveal the truth. Now wasn't the right time.

After a moment of silence, Jean turned to Neville and spoke earnestly. "Nev, I was stubborn and selfish before. I misjudged people. I caused you and Jasmine so much pain. I sincerely apologize for all my reckless actions."

After surviving a life-and-death ordeal, Jean had finally come to her senses.

She wanted nothing now except for Neville to be safe and well.

But the rift in Neville's heart ran deep. It couldn't be smoothed over with a simple apology.

His expression remained cold. He said nothing. It was clear he wasn't willing to forgive.

Seeing his unyielding attitude, a wave of loneliness washed over Jean's eyes. She felt utterly powerless. She let out a bitter laugh and said softly, "I know that nothing I say now will make a difference. I won't disturb you anymore. I'll head back."

With that, Jean turned to leave.

But just then, Jasmine suddenly called out to her. "Mrs. Cooper."

Jean turned back in disbelief, looking at Jasmine.

Jasmine lifted her hand and wiped away the moisture lingering at the corners of her eyes. Her tone was calm. "Thank you for visiting Mrs. Lane these past few times. When she's discharged, I'd like to treat you to a meal."

That simple sentence spoke volumes about Jasmine's attitude. She was willing to let go of past grievances and accept Jean's apology.

The guilt and self-reproach Jean had been carrying for days finally erupted. Her eyes reddened. Tears slid uncontrollably down her cheeks.

She stepped forward quickly and pulled Jasmine into an embrace. Her voice trembled slightly. "Thank you, Jasmine. Thank you for being willing to forgive me."

Jasmine hesitated for a moment, then gently returned the hug. With that, the two of them let go of their past conflicts.

In the midst of their embrace, the urge to reveal the truth stirred in Jean's heart once more. She wanted to tell Jasmine everything. She wanted mother and daughter to finally reunite.

"Jasmine, there's something I think you need to know."