Chapter 398

"Grandfather, you must understand how deeply I care for Nathan. Every action I take is for his sake!"

Rosalind's desperate grip on Theodore's trousers was violently shaken off. "For Nathan? You endangered his life and well-being, yet dare claim this was for his benefit?"

Her pupils shrank to pinpoints. "No, I swear I had no part in that! I admit to orchestrating Winifred's demise, but what happened to Nathan was entirely Shane's doing. I knew nothing of it!"

Theodore refused to even glance at her tear-streaked face. "I wanted to believe in you. I promised protection. But you've crossed a line no human should cross. Nathan remains my grandson."

His glacial stare pinned her kneeling form. "You've committed murder. What won't you do? How can I possibly trust your innocence now?"

'Even if she wasn't involved that night, this atrocity proves she's capable of anything. How could I leave such a dangerous presence near Nathan?'

Turning his back, Theodore delivered his verdict. "Turn yourself in."

"Turn myself in?" Rosalind collapsed like a marionette with cut strings.

'Prison would destroy everything! My life would be over!'

In a flash of desperation, she snatched the scissors from the table. Harrison reacted faster, tackling her before the blade could find its mark, kicking the weapon away with military precision.

"Control yourself, Ms. Summers." Though disgusted by her actions, he couldn't let her self-destruct.

Sobs wracked her body. "Let me die! I can't go to prison! I won't disgrace the Summers name! My parents would be ashamed from their graves!"

"Grandfather!" She crawled toward Theodore like a wounded animal. "You promised my parents you'd care for me! Send me anywhere but prison! I'll disappear from Nathan's life forever - I swear!"

Theodore's eyelids squeezed shut. This was the girl he'd raised from childhood. How had she become this monster?

Yet prison would indeed ruin her. The Goldmanns still owed the Summers a blood debt.

Without turning, he pronounced her sentence. "Go. Never let me see you again. The Summers' debt is cleared."

Chloe gasped.

'Is Lord Goldmann truly letting her walk free?'

Seeing her reprieve, Rosalind bit her lip bloody. "Thank you, Grandfather." She rose unsteadily. "Take care."

The mansion doors clicked shut behind her. Instantly, the broken woman vanished. Only cold calculation remained in her eyes.

At the private hospital...

Mr. Whitmore stared blankly through the window. Evelyn sat silently beside him until Nathan stepped out to take a call.

"Mr. Whitmore."

He didn't turn from the glass. "This is our punishment, isn't it?"