Chapter 254
Ray pulled a dagger from his waist and swiftly cut through the rope.
Zackary dropped heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
By evening, alongside the breaking news about the Dellanex University department head’s assault on female students, another headline emerged, a failed suicide attempt, with the perpetrator leaving behind a confession note.
This immediately confirmed Zackary’s past actions. His noté detailed each female student he had victimized and described the methods he used to coerce and threaten them.
The internet exploded with outrage,
[Monster! Scumbag! How did he even survive? People like him deserve to be tortured to death.]
[Just cripple him already.]
[He must face the harshest punishment.]
[Even if he didn’t die, the law will take care of him.]
[Waiting for the official verdict. I won’t be satisfied until justice is served!]
The incident caused a massive public uproar.
The university quickly distanced itself, while one victim after another came forward, sharing their stories under their real names. Evidence surfaced continuously, and the police launched an immediate investigation.
That night, after arranging Briony’s funeral at the mortuary, Ophelia saw the news of Zackary’s arrest at the hospital.
The video showed victims and their families swarming to beat him, almost like a public parade of retribution.
The police ensured the suspect’s safety but didn’t stop the crowd from venting their anger.
The case progressed even faster than Ophelia had anticipated.
“Briony, is this what you to see?” Ophelia whispered, holding up her phone in front of Briony’s photo.
Before Ophelia’s time travel, Briony’s death hadn’t brought justice to anyone.
But in this life, things unfolded as Briony had hoped.
Her death not only punished this man but also helped protect countless other girls.
Briony could finally rest in peace.
Still, Ophelia couldn’t help but think, “There had to have been a less extreme way…
Her eyes reddened again as she gazed at Briony’s beautiful face in the photo, her mind filled with the memory of the final smile Briony had left behind.
Ophelia looked at that blueprint, realizing that the Gloomhaven development project was no longer just her battle to fight.
*****
When Ophelia returned to Rosewood Manor, Kenneth wasn’t home yet.
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09:32 Thu, Nov 28
Chapter 254-
She took a shower and collapsed onto the bed, slipping into a fitful sleep.
If I sleep, I won’t have to think so much. Once I wake up, it’ll all pass… Ophelia thought to herself.
But in the early hours, she jolted awake from a nightmare, sitting up straight in bed, her forehead and back drenched in
sweat.
Outside the window, the sky was hazy, and a light rain fell. Mist clung to the mountainside, wrapping everything in a ghostly
veil.
The warm, yellow glow of her bedroom lamp was still on. She stared blankly at her palms, unable to shake the haunting image of Briony’s fall.
“Thank you, Ophelia, for being there with me in my final moments,” Briony had said.
Bang!
The sight of blood spreading beneath the hem of her white dress, the pallor of her face, and that faint, final smile…
Ophelia had almost grabbed hold of her.
She could still feel the fading sensation of Briony’s fingers slipping through her own.
If only Ophelia had exposed Zackary’s crimes earlier, maybe none of this would’ve happened.
Hugging her knees, she shut her eyes, her chest tightening with grief.
After a long while, she finally calmed down. Turning to the space beside her, she realized it was still empty.
‘Where’s Kenneth? Hasn’t he come back yet?‘ Ophelia wondered.
They hadn’t returned home together that evening. Ophelia had taken a quick shower and gone straight to bed, but she could’ve sworn she felt his warmth behind her, felt him holding her. ‘Did I imagine it?‘ she thought.
She got out of bed, wearing a long cardigan over a black silk slip dress. Quietly, she left the room and noticed a faint light seeping through the gap in the study door.
Approaching, she turned the doorknob and peeked inside.
Sure enough, Kenneth was there, seated in front of his laptop, deeply engrossed in work.
Ophelia stepped into the room, glancing at the clock on the wall.
It was already two in the morning.
“When did you get back? Why aren’t you in bed?” she asked.
Hearing her voice, Kenneth finally looked up. He’d been so absorbed in his work that he hadn’t noticed her.
Ophelia walked closer and caught sight of the laptop screen. It was filled with documents, ones she was supposed to handle today.
Kenneth had been helping her.
“Why are you awake?” Kenneth asked instead of answering, pulling her into his arms.
He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his fingertips gently brushing against her pale cheek. “Did you have a nightmare?”
09:32
Thu, Nov 20
Chapter 254
“Yes,” Ophelia admitted softly,
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“I heard about what happened today,” Kenneth said, his rich, cell–like voice carrying a soothing warmth. “Don’t blame yourself. Maybe, for Briony, this was a release. You gave her final moment’s warmth and dignity.”
His words, like a tranquilizer, seeped into her heart, easing the turmoil she’d felt.
“If you’re still dwelling on it,” Kenneth continued, “I could help take your mind off things.”
“Huh?” Ophelia looked up, mecting his gaze, and caught a spark of mischief in his eyes. “No,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “It’s late.”
“You’re probably not falling back asleep, are you?” he teased, his tone holding a hint of something more.
Kenneth always had his ways of making her forget the world.
પ માં જ અને પ્રસ્થા
He leaned in closer, resting his forehead against hers. His deep–set eyes locked on her lips, inching closer with deliberate intent.
Ophelia instinctively leaned back slightly, creating some space. The movement made his Adam’s apple bob, and a low chuckle rumbled from his chest, sending a tingling warmth through her.
“Stop it,” she protested, placing her hands on his shoulders. Her damp eyes, wide and glistening, fixed on him
She had no idea how irresistible her gaze was at that moment.
Ophelia made a move to get up from his lap, but Kenneth’s strong arm was already wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly in place.
The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his forearms, revealing the lean muscles of his arms as he effortlessly lifted her and set her down on the desk.
A scattering of kisses followed, light and unhurried.
“Don’t,” she murmured. “It’s late, and you’ve been working so hard. You need to rest.”
Kenneth saw her genuine exhaustion and, in a rare display of restraint, decided to let her off the hook.
SEND GIFT
