Gone Quiet, Gone Love novel Chapter 17

Nester remained on his knees for a long time, until his legs went numb and the bitter wind chilled him to the bone.

It was only then that he braced his hands against the floor and tried to stand, but his legs failed him. The injury and prolonged kneeling left him unable to do so after several tries.

In the end, he almost crawled to retrieve his crutches. Using every ounce of his remaining strength, he finally dragged himself up on his feet.

Leaning on the crutches, he limped away. His back was hunched like an old man in his twilight years.

Slowly, the night swallowed him whole.

…

Nester returned to Crisea.

He was no longer the disheveled wreck from before. Instead, he was once again the impeccably dressed, sharp CEO of Blackwell Group, but there was a cold, annihilating frost deep within his eyes.

Upon returning to Blackwell Group, the first thing he did was compile all the evidence he had gathered on Della, including security footage screenshots, fire-residue analysis, and witness statements.

He sent everything to her dad, Rupert Green, with a message attached.

"In the light of our families' long-standing friendship, I'm giving her two options.

"One, immediately send her to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. Two, I'm going to the police. I believe this evidence is enough to secure her a ten-year prison sentence.

"You choose."

The afternoon the email was sent, Rupert called, but Nester didn't answer. So, he rushed to Blackwell Group headquarters, only to be stopped by the security at the lobby.

At last, Reid came down and relayed Nester's words expressionlessly. "Mr. Blackwell says he doesn't want to see you. Please go home and discipline your daughter, or bear the consequences."

Rupert stood in Blackwell Group's lobby for two hours before leaving with hunched shoulders.

The next day, Nester launched a full-scale business assault on the Greens. In just a week, several of their core projects suffered setbacks, their cash flow snapped, and bankruptcy loomed.

Left with no choice, Rupert kneeled outside Blackwell Group once more and begged Nester to show mercy.

This time, Nester finally appeared. He stood at the top of the steps and looked down emotionlessly at Rupert, whose hair had grayed overnight.

"Please, Nester… Spare the Greens…

"Della's young and reckless, so we've locked her away. We're sending her to a psychiatric hospital tomorrow to make sure that she never comes back and bothers you again…" Rupert sobbed with tears streaming down his aged face.

Nester listened quietly. When Rupert finished, he coldly said, "Mr. Green, I've shown restraint for the sake of our families' old ties. Della nearly killed Sabrina twice—once through miscarriage, and the other through a fire."

He paused, and his tone turned cold as he continued, "I didn't take her life, which is already mercy. Make sure I never see her and hear her name again, or I can't promise what I'll do."

Rupert trembled. He opened his mouth to speak, but ended up saying nothing and collapsing to the ground in defeat.

With that, Nester turned and left.

…

A few days later, the Greens followed through on their promise. Della was forcibly committed to a closed psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of the city.

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