Chapter 114
Chapter 114
Director Grace staggered out of the restroom after retching, only to find Julian Bennett curled on the carpet like a shrimp, his entire frame convulsing uncontrollably.
“President Bennett! Sir, what’s wrong?” Grace cried.
Julian’s complexion was ghastly white; the agony ripping through his abdomen had stolen his voice and all but numbed him. Seeing this, Grace snatched out her phone and dialed emergency services.
Without a single beat of hesitation, Director Grace snatched up her phone and dialed 911.
As Simon left the private suite, Brian Change hurried over and reported, “President Whitmore, the entire prison has been shut down. The woman who abused Miss Bennett is in custody–she’s being held in a factory on the eastern outskirts.”
Simon narrowed his eyes, the lighter pausing beside his cigarette. “We’re going there now.”
Abandoned Factory
The stout woman knelt on the cracked concrete, eyes blindfolded, wrists bound, pleading frantically for mercy.
Simon Whitmore sat down on a rickety chair and flicked a look at his guards; they understood at once and set upon her with fists and boots.
“Please, sir, spare me! I’ll do anything you want–if it’s money you’re after, I’ll pay, every cent, just say the word!”
she shrieked.
Simon lifted one hand; the men stopped at once.
“Who ordered you to beat Elena Bennett?” Simon asked quietly.
The woman’s heart lurched. “I–it was… it was…” she faltered.
Brian Change warned, “I’d advise you to tell the truth–we’ve already dismantled the boot camp.”
“I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” the woman blubbered.
“It was Annabelle Bennett and her family–they told me to ‘take good care‘ of her! Make her sleep in the doghouse, feed her swill, beat her if she disobeyed… I was forced, sir, I swear…”
Simon’s knuckles blanched around the bent cigarette; the words doghouse, swill, beat echoed through his mind like blades. With a sudden roar, he’sprang up and drove his foot hard into the woman’s chest.
“Bring the swill,” Simon ordered coldly.
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Chapter 114
“Yes, President Whitmore.”
Simon turned and walked out, leaving behind only the woman’s wails and the dull thud of fists and kicks reverberating through the factory.
72%
+28)
Hospital
When the Bennett family learned that Julian had drunk himself into a gastric perforation, they rushed to the hospital. Seeing his bloodless face on the gurney, Adaline broke down, sobbing as though her entrails were being
torn apart.
“Son, why on earth did you drink so much? What happened?” Adaline wailed.
Fresh from surgery, Julian remained unconscious, utterly still.
The doctor explained, “He needs complete rest. No food for twenty–four hours, and absolutely no alcohol for three
months.”
“I understand, thank you, Doctor,” Adaline said.
She kept vigil at his bedside, tears sliding down her cheeks each time her eyes caught the small incision on his
abdomen.
Adaline and Lawrence Bennett tended to him day and night, not leaving the room for a full twenty–four hours.
The next morning, Julian finally stirred.
“Son, you’re awake at last! I was worried sick. How do you feel–does your stomach still hurt?” she asked, hovering anxiously.
“I’m fine,” Julian muttered, clutching his pounding head. Suddenly a thought struck him, and his eyes flew open. “How long was I out?”
“A whole day and night. The doctor said you drank yourself into a gastric perforation–we were terrified. Why would you drink that much? Did Simon Whitmore force you?” she asked.
At her words Julian struggled to swing his legs off the bed.
“What are you doing? The doctor said you need rest!” Adaline cried.
“Quick–go home and let Elena out. Get her back to the company,” Julian gasped. “Whitmore specifically named her to head the project; if she’s not in charge, the deal dies and no one will be able to save Bennett Corporation.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.