Chapter 323
Upon hearing the news about James, Nichole immediately perked up, a gleam of hope flashing in her eyes. She leaned in closer and asked, “Are you talking about James Burke, the CEO of Burke Enterprises?”
“All I know is he’s the CEO of Burke Enterprises”
“Don’t talk to her. She’s going to start claiming she’s Mrs. Burke of Burke Enterprises again.”
One of the women in the cell mocked Nichole, “That CEO of Burke Enterprises is rumored to have been arrested for attempted rape, and yet he was released from the police station in less than an hour. If she were really Mrs. Burke, how could she have been locked up here for days without getting out?”
Nichole bit her lip. She had been in this prison for several days now, and James had made no moves to have someone bail her out. No wonder people here didn’t take her seriously.
In the comer, a female prisoner was crying bitterly. Nichole immediately noticed the ring clutched in her hand.
Having been by James‘ side in the past, Nichole was accustomed to luxury and recognized at first glance that the ring was not something an ordinary person could possess. She deliberately approached and asked, “Why are you crying?”
The female prisoner, hearing someone talk to her, immediately retreated in fear, but Nichole’s gaze was fixed on the ring in her hand. “Personal belongings aren’t allowed here. Is this your first day?”
The woman nodded fearfully, her pretty face marred by a look of malnutrition.
“Why are you here?” Nichole inquired.
“…” the woman stammered, unable to say it out loud.
A nearby prisoner scoffed, “What else could it be? Prostitution.”
The woman’s face turned a shade of mortified red, wishing she could disappear into a corner.
“Is this ring very important to you?” Nichole asked.
“It was left to me by my family.”
Family? Someone who possessed such a ring couldn’t be involved in prostitution.
But Nichole had no time to ponder these things. All she could think about was making the ring her own to bribe the warden for her release. After all, judging by the quality of the ring, it was worth at least a few hundred thousand. It would be more than enough to secure her release from this place.
Nichole whispered to the woman, “I’m getting out today. You can give me this ring, and I’ll find your family for you.”
“Really?” The woman’s eyes lit up with hope. “Would you really help me find my family?”
Nichole was surprised at how easily the woman believed her but nodded immediately.
The woman, overjoyed, handed Nichole the ring, saying, “All I know is that my father’s last name is Freeman, and he lives here in Devonport. It was my first day in Devonport and I was tricked into prostitution. If you find my father, tell him Maggie’s daughter came. looking for him.”
“Maggie? Is that your mother?”
The girl nodded, a trace of sadness passing through her eyes. “My mom passed away. She told me to come to Devonport to find my dad. Please, help me.”
Nichole’s heart rejoiced, but she maintained a facade of sincerity. “Of course, I’ll help you.”
In the dead of night, the hospital corridor was silent.
Sophie sat on a chair against the wall, asleep. In her dream, she was on an operating table, crying out in agony, while a nurse’s anxious voice echoed, “Doctor! The patient is experiencing heavy bleeding, and the type A blood from the blood bank was urgently taken away.”
The smell of disinfectant, the white ceiling, and the lights of the operating room are all so familiar.
The doctor urgently dialed James‘ number “Mr. Burke, your wife is bleeding heavily, and the blood bank’s reserves have been taken. Please, come see your wife for one last time.”
The doctors and nurses were in a flurry of activity.
All she could do was lie on the operating table, waiting for death. She thought, even a word of concern from James would be a comfort. But all she heard was James‘ cruel and indifferent voice, “She’s not dead yet? Call me when she’s completely dead”
Call me when she’s completely dead.
Suddenly, Sophie’s eyes snapped open, her back soaked with sweat.