They never once stopped to think about what their actions might do to a pair of young lovers, so bright and sweet, arguing over and over in their most innocent days, maybe even ending up broken, left with nothing but a mess. That never mattered to any of them.
Nana only realized how much damage she'd done when the blow finally landed on her. Then she understood pain for real.
She’d gotten so much sucking up to Hannah, raked in money and benefits, and now it was time to pay the price.
Nana opened her mouth, words barely coming out. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to teach Bonnie a lesson… I didn’t think things would get so out of hand.”
Hannah let out a sigh.
Just like that, with that quiet sound, the last bit of hope in Lawrence's chest fizzled out completely.
Carl and Odette, though, were still lost, heads spinning, eyes wide as they tried to catch up. They're older, way above this drama, and never paid attention to what went on online. Even now, they had no clue what was really happening, and nobody dared spell it out for them.
The two of them shared a look. Both faces turned serious, and for a second, they remembered that mess from three years ago, the one that left them both full of regret and guilt.
Odette’s voice cut through the room, sharp and demanding. “What on earth is going on? What are you talking about? And why is Bonnie being dragged into this again?”
Carl’s face was stone cold as he grabbed the folder, flipping through the papers. Inside, everything was organized and clear, piles of evidence. Some guy named Penn had used his overseas connections to hire people to send Bonnie threats, dumped trash at her place, paid studios to harass her online, and even posted her private info for the world to see.
For a twenty-three-year-old, just starting her life, getting hit with something like that could ruin her whole world.
That Penn guy had already confessed. He straight out said Nana was the one behind it all.
“This is outrageous!” Carl’s shout filled the room. “Hannah! Tell me right now! Are you honestly saying you knew nothing about any of this?”
Hannah stared at a photo stuck in the folder, her gaze steady. In the picture, Penn sat on the floor, face bruised, arms wrapped around his head, begging for mercy. Lawrence must have lost it for Bonnie and done this himself.
Only then did Aiken find out Lawrence’s uncle was their boss. Thanks to that, Bonnie’s nightmare was probably about to end.
In some way, this was Lawrence trying to make up for his own mistakes.
Aiken took a steady breath and flashed his badge and the summons. “Which one of you is Nana? You’re being called to cooperate with an investigation into inciting trouble. Please come with us.”
Nana tottered to her feet, mind foggy, and looked at Hannah like she was desperate for help. Hannah didn’t even glance her way. Her face stayed calm, even a little icy.
It was so cold and distant that Nana suddenly wondered if Hannah had been expecting this moment all along. If that was why she seemed so unfazed, not the least bit scared.
After all, nobody was ever going to hold Hannah responsible for any of it.

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