Mrs. Lucas began wiping away tears. "My son didn't hit Ms. Lamont on purpose. He was manipulated into taking that route and accidentally collided with her. I know it was reckless and he caused her terrible harm, but both of his legs have been shattered, and he's been locked up for so long. Hasn't he atoned enough?"
"I heard Ms. Lamont is going to be perfectly fine, but my son is rotting in there, half-dead! I can't even get clearance to see him!"
Mrs. Lucas choked back a sob, weeping harder. "Ever since Julian was taken, his grandmother has been bedridden. She's in the hospital right now and probably won't make it. Her dying wish is just to see her grandson one last time."
"The Lamonts completely refuse to see us. You're our only hope, Mr. Hanson. Please, beg them to show some mercy and let my son go!"
Hannah pulled a tissue from the box and handed it to the crying woman. "Julian didn't mean to do it. The accident was a tragedy no one wanted. We can all understand why the Lamonts are furious, but I'm sure once Norah fully recovers, they'll let it go and release him."
Mrs. Lucas dabbed her eyes, her voice trembling. "I haven't slept a wink in over a month. Every single night I have nightmares about my boy suffering in there. I don't even know if his legs will ever heal. He might be crippled for the rest of his life!"
Hannah sighed dramatically. "Jonathan Lamont really is being far too ruthless about this. They should really show some mercy!"
Behind the tissue pressed to her face, Mrs. Lucas's eyes flared with undisguised hatred. But when she looked back up at Gonzalez, her expression shifted back to pure, agonizing sorrow. "Mr. Hanson, please. I'm begging you to put in a good word with the Lamonts. Ask them to release him. If they're still angry, I'll take his place! I'll do anything to atone for what he did!"
Gonzalez's gravelly voice dripped with a bone-chilling coldness. "How exactly do you plan to atone? By having your son hit you with a car? Do you want to know what it feels like to have your limbs shattered, lying completely paralyzed in a hospital bed?"
Mrs. Lucas completely froze, the tears halting on her face as she stared at him in shock.
Gonzalez's expression grew downright predatory, laced with a wild, violent edge. "If Julian gets out now, he'll probably die even faster. My advice? Leave him exactly where he is."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room.
Dead silence fell over the living room.

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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
I'm so glad that Gonzalez was able to get Luke, Oliver and all others who wanted to challenge himas the CEO straight. Interesting how Xavier made reference to a girlfriend concerning his gift to Norah, but never did this before her accident. I'm grateful for the updates. Thank you...
I had a lot of catching up to do..oh buoy, what twist and turns. Loved every bit of it, thank you for keep updating the novel. Hoping for more love along the way....
May we please have updates. Thank you...
Someone needs to send a new picture of Trevor to Oliver and Luke so that they will get their requested reports to Gonzalez asap. If they didn't know, now they know what awaits them if they continue to disrespect and NOT follow orders....
Well, well, well. I love how Gonzalez sent out the warning that he's the CEO and either they will acknowledge him as such or get their due diligence. I'm waiting to see how the Franco family will be walking on eggs and come into a new understanding of Gonzalez taking charge. Thank you so much for the five updates....
Adrian is hoping that he has a chance with Norah and will do everything and anything in his power to keep Norah and Xavier apart....
Thank you for the updates. I hope that Norah will remember Xavier and their relationship before the accident and that they will ever be to....
Thank you, thank you for the updates today, which is also my birthday. The saga continues. I really want Norah and Xavier to be together... but he has to want Norah....
May we have updates please. Thank you....
Why can't m Xavier just admit that he loves Norah...