The Heiress Revived from the Ashes (Lauren Bennett) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26 Willow Pulls the Same Trick Again, Framing Lauren

“You’re full of sh*t!” Elliot roared. The law already sentenced Lauren to five years. She paid her debt a long time ago!”

Kenneth’s expression remained cold. “Paid She spent five years in prison and still walked out alive, but my sister is trapped in a hospital bed for the rest of her life. And you’re telling me that’s fair?”

“As long as Elaine doesn’t wake up, Lauren will never be done paying for what she did.”

“Shut up!” Elliot’s voice was hoarse with anger, his eyes red. “Lauren was beaten, humiliated, stabbed with needles, forced to kneel, and had her leg broken in prison. She used to laugh all the time, and now she barely speaks. She’s not even the same person anymore. After everything she’s suffered, how is that not enough!”

He staggered back, knocking over a stool behind him, but he didn’t even notice. He just kept staring at Kenneth, his chest. heaving.

“My sister is crippled now, he spat through gritted teeth. “Is that enough for you?”

Kenneth felt a sharp, inexplicable pain in his chest, like an invisible hand was squeezing his heart.

Lauren had turned Elaine into a vegetable. He had no reason to pity her

He shoved down the unwelcome feeling. She got exactly what she deserved. Whatever she went through in prison is nothing compared to what Elaine lost. My sister had a bright future ahead of her, and Lauren destroyed it

He let out a cold laugh. “And don’t forget, Elliot–you were the one who testified against Lauren when she tried to frame Willow. You helped send her to prison. Now you suddenly care about her She probably hates you more than

anyone.”

Elliot’s heart clenched painfully.

He never wanted Lauren to suffer in prison. He just wanted her to learn from her mistakes and come out as a better person

Rage burned through his veins. He swung at Kenneth again.

Kenneth easily dodged, stepping aside as Elliot’s punch hit nothing but air

Elliot lurched forward, slamming into the bar. He gripped the counter, panting heavily.

“Give me another drink, he slurred at the bartender.

Without a word, the bartender poured him another glass

Elliot grabbed it and downed it in one go. Alcohol dripped from his lips, soaking into his collar.

Kenneth sat beside him, gripping his own glass so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He looked calm on the outside, but inside, his emotions churned violently

Lauren, you were supposed to have a brilliant future ahead of you. But you had to ruin Elaine’s life. You’re despicable.

Inside the bar, the flashing lights and pounding music drowned out everything else. People danced, laughed, drank without a

care.

Meanwhile, at the Bennett estate, chaos was unfolding

Willow clung to Alice, sobbing uncontrollably.

Her cries filled the silent living room, each one a sharp, pitiful accusation against Lauren.

Alice held Willow tightly, saying nothing, but her eyes were full of disappointment and blame as she looked at Lauren.

བོ ཀཽ ཏི

David’s face was dark with fury. He pointed a trembling finger at her.

“You pushed Willow down the stairs. Were you trying to turn her into a vegetable too?” he bellowed. “You were already a heartless monster five years ago when you did it to Elaine! You spent five years in prison and still haven’t changed! Now

Chapter 26 Willow Pulls the Same Trick Again, Framing Lauren

Lauren met David’s gaze, cold and emotionless. A deep, unshakable sense of despair filled her chest.

Finished

She couldn’t understand why her own father treated her with such cruelty,

Her heart had been shattered beyond repair, but even now, she couldn’t suppress the burning fury inside her.

“Mr. David, you of all people should know the truth,” she said icily. “You were standing right there when Willow pushed Elaine down the stairs. You saw it with your own eyes. What, did you lie so much that even you started believing it?”

David’s body trembled, his face turning an ugly shade of red.

“Shut your mouth!”

Lauren smirked. “Hit a nerve, did 1? Five years ago, Willow framed me for pushing Elaine. Now, five years later, she throws: herself down the stairs just to pin it on me again. And you still defend her. You know exactly how vicious she is, but you’d rather frame me than admit the truth”

Her voice turned sharp. “Sometimes I wonder–am I really your daughter? Or am I your enemy? Because you’re more than willing to destroy me for your precious adopted daughter”

She narrowed her eyes. “Willow isn’t your illegitimate child, is she? Is that why you treat her like gold and treat me like trash?”

David’s face twisted with rage.

“You ungrateful brat! I’ll beat some respect into you today if it’s the last thing I do.”

In a blind fury, he yanked off his leather belt and swung it down on her

The crack of the belt echoed through the room as it struck Lauren’s arm, instantly leaving a deep red welt.

Pain shot through her body like a knife slicing through her skin, digging straight into her bones.

She let out a muffled groan, instinctively curling in on herself, trying to shield herself from the blows

But David die

stop. He was lost in his rage, striking her over and over. The belt lashed across her back, her shoulders, her legs–each hit more vicious than the last.

Alice stood frozen, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

Her hands twitched as if she wanted to stop David.

But then she glanced at Willow, who sat trembling in her arms, looking fragile and pitiful.

Any trace of sympathy for Lauren vanished.

She pressed her lips together and stayed silent.

Marilyn, however, couldn’t take it anymore.

“Sir, please stop!” she begged. “Miss Lauren is already injured. If you keep hitting her, you’ll-

David didn’t even hear her. His fury only intensified.

The belt snapped through the air again and again, the sound sickening.

Lauren’s body trembled violently. Blood seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes, staining them red.

Her face was pale as a sheet, lips drained of color. She tried to move, but her crippled leg made it impossible to escape

She wanted to fight back, but against a man like David, she was completely powerless.

For the first time, despite all the suffering she had endured, tears slipped from her eyes.

Marilyn’s Heart broke at the sight