Chapter 255
Bella
I walked into the sterile hospital room, and the first thing that hit me was the smell of antiseptic and medicine.
Eleanor Wilson lay propped up against the pillows, her throat making horrible rattling sounds like something was permanently lodged there. She looked like a living corpse, yet she still clung to her last shreds of dignity.
She slowly opened her eyes and tried to support herself to sit up. But she struggled for a long time, cold sweat beading on her face, and it was completely useless.
The old butler moved to help, but she stubbornly cursed him away.
Finally, she managed to sit up with great difficulty, breathing heavily.
I watched her with indifferent eyes, my face completely expressionless.
Eleanor stared at me fixedly, and suddenly her face turned ferocious. She remarked, "Bella, what did you promise me back then?"
As she spoke, she kept coughing.
"You've been lying to me... you've been lying to me all along... you've always been lying to me..."
She couldn't shout anymore.
She already knew everything, knew that I had been acting all along. I wasn't a fool - quite the opposite, I was smarter than most people.
I remained calm, pulling up a chair to sit down. I replied, "I don't know why you wanted to see me. Are you here to settle scores? But what ability do you have left to fight me now?"
Eleanor's eyes bulged out. She was so thin now that her eyes almost seemed to pop out of their sockets.
I let out a cold laugh and said, "Don't you understand?"
"I'm sure you've seen Liam's latest medical reports. You definitely know what kind of person I am now."
I crossed my arms and looked at her. "From the beginning, I never planned to cooperate with you. Because you're ruthless and would never really give anyone a way out. If I had helped you bring down Liam, I would have been dead immediately after. So helping you would have been harming myself. Choosing Liam - that was choosing a way to survive."
At this point, I decided to tell the truth.
Eleanor had indeed been thinking exactly that - to use me and then discard me, even killing me if necessary.
Suddenly, Eleanor started laughing, a ghostly, terrifying sound.
She laughed while coughing. "Choosing him is choosing a way to survive. How wonderful. Bella, I can't wait to see how Liam takes you down."
She trembled and continued, "Being with him, you'll only die more miserably."
I wasn't angry at all. I was even smiling.
I said, "Don't you know who's really going to die miserably?"
I smiled with arched eyebrows. "Actually, I hope you don't die. And I'll let you see how well I can live by choosing Liam, by accepting his mark."
Eleanor sneered coldly.
I also sneered, "Unfortunately, you won't live much longer."
Eleanor closed her eyes, still repeating. "Being with him, you'll die more miserably than me."
I curved my lips into a dangerous smile. "Do you believe in the Moon Goddess's punishment? Do you believe in her divine justice?"
Her lips trembled, and her face seemed to turn even whiter.
The old butler spoke tremblingly, "Please don't continue. Alpha is seriously ill. Please don't stimulate her anymore."
I scoffed, "She called me here specifically to get stimulated, didn't she?"
I raised my voice. "So, Eleanor, you should understand the Moon Goddess's wrath."
Eleanor's body was already shaking.
I continued, "You've harmed so many pack members. The Moon Goddess sees everything. She punishes those who corrupt the sacred bonds, who destroy pack loyalty. Alpha like you don't get the Goddess's blessing."
Eleanor shuddered at my words.
I stood up, preparing to leave.
Eleanor looked at my light, departing figure and muttered, "I won't survive, but neither will you. None of us will survive."
I didn't even glance at her as I left the hospital room directly.
---
Isla
Selina had been backed into a corner. I could see she didn't know what options she had left. Freya had given her such a short deadline - what could she do?
I could see the hatred in Selina's eyes. She was panicked and afraid, constantly sighing and lamenting. I'd been watching her pace around the room for hours, and my heart was breaking for her.
I'd been by her side for so long. We weren't biological sisters, but we were closer than real sisters.
After a long while, Selina spoke hoarsely. "Isla, don't blame me."
I was stunned for a moment. "Selina, what do you mean?"
Selina said, "Isla, the whole thing about framing Bella was all your doing. You contacted that fan to frame Bella. From beginning to end, you were the one who did everything. If you don't confess and turn yourself in, we'll both face the exile."
I felt the blood drain from my face.
She continued, "Isla, it's better for one to take all the blame than for both of us to be exiled, isn't it?"
She was speaking frantically now, desperation making her voice crack. "Isla, only you can help me now. These past few days, I've contacted everyone I could. No one dares to offend Freya, no one can really stand against Freya, no one will help me anymore."
"You take the blame for me, and when you return from exile, I'll definitely give you many benefits! I'll split all my money with you in half. Isla, I can't face exile. If I'm cast out, everything will be ruined."
For a moment, I was speechless. I stared at her in a daze, feeling like I was looking at a complete stranger.
Over these years, Selina had done too many wrong things, and I had been the knife in her hand. While she stayed clean, what about me? My hands were covered in blood.
"You don't want to be exiled," I said slowly, my whole body trembling. "Do you think I want to face the exile?"
I looked at Selina, feeling my world crumble around me.
"Every time I asked you to do something, you did it. You can't back out now," she scolded loudly.
The accusation stung because it was true. I had done everything she asked. Every single time.
Selina continued, "You did it, you did everything. If you don't take the blame for me, we'll both be cast out by the council."
She kept pressuring me, and I felt myself starting to cave. My eyes were burning with unshed tears.
Although I was extremely unwilling, I had to admit that this was indeed the best solution. Besides, after so many years of... what I thought was friendship, I had to weigh the pros and cons. Even if I got exiled, at least I'd still be able to protect her.
I opened my mouth, ready to agree. Ready to sacrifice myself one more time for Selina.
But then her expression turned ferocious, and she said the words that shattered everything: "If you don't take the blame for me, I'll ruin your reputation! I kept evidence of everything from back then. I'll post that evidence online and let everyone know about your crimes."
I was completely stunned, staring at her like I'd never seen her before.