Chapter 550 Chapter 550: Can You Adopt Him?
“He...” For a moment, Estelle didn’t know what to say.
Gretchen’s bitter words hung in the air, filled with envy. “Estelle, I envy you so much. Why is luck always on your side? You effortlessly gain everything you desire, while I struggle relentlessly for my desires, only to end up with death as my reward.”
“Gretchen, you and your mother were always scheming and conniving. You conspired against me, Cristofer, York, and the Hans family. But what you may not realize is that while you were plotting against others, there was someone scheming against you, too.” Estelle’s expression grew serious, and Gretchen looked at her with uncertainty.
“What do you mean?” Gretchen asked.
“Do you think it would have been so easy for you to tamper with Cristofer's parents’ car and hide it for nearly five years without some help from a certain person?”
“You’re suggesting someone guided me in secret?” Gretchen was taken aback.
“Yes, he had the same intentions as you, but he didn’t take direct action. Instead, he carefully orchestrated everything behind the scenes to provide you with an opportunity to tamper with the car’s brake system. Following the accident, he deliberately hid the cars. Otherwise, given Cristofer's capabilities and influence, he could have uncovered the cause and the perpetrator of the accident much sooner.”
Gretchen’s eyes widened in shock. “Then... Will that person also face the death penalty like me?”
“No. You are the one who orchestrated the car accident, whereas he remained entirely passive. Legally, he is innocent.”
“It’s unjust! If what you’re saying is true, then that person is the true mastermind behind the car accident. In that case, he should also face punishment!”
“Do you have any evidence to prove that he orchestrated it?” Estelle asked.
Gretchen fell silent upon hearing this.
“You don’t, and neither do I,” Estelle pointed out.
Gretchen finally grasped the situation. “So, the person behind it used me as a pawn to break up you and Cristofer, and now he escapes while I’m left to bear the blame, is that it?”
Estelle remained silent, letting out a sigh.
“At the time when I thought I was about to marry into wealth and was consumed by happiness, that man must have viewed me as a mere clown. I put in so much effort to sow, but in the end, he’s the one reaping the rewards. How ridiculous!”
“Gretchen, I’m returning the same words you once said to me. You should be grateful that I revealed the truth to you. After all, you’ll never find out the truth by yourself,” Estelle remarked.
“Tell me who he is!!!” Gretchen demanded.
“You don’t know him, and you’re not worthy of knowing him,” Estelle replied.
Suddenly, Gretchen pounded on the glass window hysterically, shouting, “Estelle, tell me!”
“What purpose would it serve to tell you?” Estelle glanced at the wall clock and remarked, “There are only three minutes left.”
Gretchen fell into silence the next moment, her face paling as she slumped back into her chair.
Estelle stood up, took a deep breath, and continued, “Gretchen, you are responsible for the deaths of my father, Cristofer's parents, and Mrs. Moorsum. My son nearly lost his life because of you and your mother. I’ve harbored so much hatred towards you, wishing I could avenge them all these years. Strangely, now that I know you’re facing execution, I feel much calmer than I expected. You might have thought I’d curse and berate you, maybe even harm you. I might have done those things in the past, but now I find them meaningless. I am content knowing that justice will be served. Gretchen, everyone must face the consequences of their actions. You’ve had four extra years of life. It’s time for you to face the consequences. You are on your way to hell.”
After expressing her thoughts in one breath, Estelle felt a sense of relief. As she turned to leave, Gretchen tapped on the glass window to get her attention. “Estelle!”
Estelle paused and looked back at her.
“Could you do me a favor?” Gretchen asked with pleading eyes, her earlier arrogance and anger vanished.
“Is it related to your child?” Estelle inquired.
“Yes...”
“What would you like me to do?”
“Can you adopt him?” Gretchen asked.
“No,” Estelle replied firmly.
“Why not? You love children, don’t you? With your wealth, it would be easy for you to raise him...”
Estelle didn’t respond. Instead, she turned and walked out of the room without hesitation.
Upon seeing Estelle emerge, Rebecca hurried over and asked, “You’re done talking with her? You were so quiet, I couldn’t hear anything from outside…”
Estelle nodded and replied, “Let’s go.”
“Now? Why don’t we wait to see Gretchen executed?” Rebecca suggested, her anger towards Gretchen growing deeper. “She’s responsible for so many deaths, and all she gets is death. She deserves a harsher punishment.”
Holding Rebecca’s hand, Estelle smiled and said, “We’ve ensured she faces justice. That’s sufficient.”
After Estelle led Rebecca out of the prison, Rebecca asked, “Aren’t you interested in witnessing her execution? I brought you here specifically for that. Are you sure you want to leave?”
Estelle then held out her hand and asked, “Give me the car keys.”
“What car keys?”
“The car keys,” Estelle repeated.
Baffled, Rebecca asked, “You want to drive?”
“Since you’re not keen on leaving, go ahead and stay to watch her execution. I’ll head back first,” Estelle said with a smile.
Knowing Estelle was teasing her, Rebecca retrieved the car key and unlocked the door, smiling, “Okay, let’s go. Watching her execution isn’t enjoyable.”
They both got into the car and once Estelle fastened her seatbelt, Rebecca started the engine and began driving. Throughout the ride, Rebecca occasionally stole glances at Estelle, who sat with her eyes closed, aware of Rebecca’s covert looks but remaining silent.
“Estelle...”
“What’s on your mind?”
“What did you say to Gretchen? I expected you to unleash a furious, angry tirade against her, but you appeared to have a calm conversation. Have you stopped hating her?” Rebecca asked.
Estelle responded, “Of course, I still hate her. She killed my father and Mrs. Moorsum. How could I not hate her?”
“Then why were you so composed?” Rebecca asked.
“I was composed because I know she’ll receive the punishment she deserves and die soon. I simply believe that cursing her won’t bring the dead back to life, so it’s pointless.”
As they weren’t in a rush to return to the city, Rebecca drove steadily. When they eventually came to a halt, she questioned, “Estelle, do you still love Cristofer?”
With her eyes remaining closed, Estelle gave no response, her long eyelashes faintly quivering.
“I thought I knew you well, but I’m not so sure anymore. I sense that you’ve changed quite a bit since Cristofer was imprisoned,” Rebecca remarked.