Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back - Chapter 40: Chapter 40
You are reading Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back, Chapter 40: Chapter 40. Read more chapters of Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back.
Elena sat there shivering with pain, chilled to the marrow.
They were actually letting Annabelle turn the truth upside down in front of all these reporters, making the world believe Elena was the one at fault.
Next, a stout woman wearing a surgical mask was led onto the stage. Even with her eyes swollen shut, Elena would have recognized her anywhere. It was a guard from the private prison—the ringleader who had tormented her.
Trembling, the stout woman bowed deeply to Elena. "Miss Bennett, I'm sorry. I should never have laid a hand on you just because you made mistakes.
"It was a personal conflict between us, nothing to do with the prison. I don't expect your forgiveness—only that you plead with Mr. Bennett to spare my life."
"You beat my sister half to death and still dream of walking away? Don't kid yourself! If we let you off, there'll be thousands more victims like her!" Annabelle glared at the woman, eyes blazing.
To outsiders, she looked as though she wanted to carve the woman into a thousand pieces to avenge her sister.
Elena's heart went completely cold.
They were forcing her to clear their name yet still splashing filth on her.
That speech basically told everyone she'd been sent away because she was spoiled and unruly—and that the beating came only after she clashed repeatedly with the instructor.
They demanded she protect the Bennett reputation while each of them twisted another knife into her chest.
Elena sat there hollow-eyed while Adaline hugged her, looking as though she had no other daughter in the world.
A reporter asked whether Elena really was as difficult as they claimed.
Elena felt icy and rigid; there was no microphone in front of her, and she knew they would never let her speak.
Adaline dabbed her tears and choked out, "Everyone, my daughter's mind is fragile after the abuse. Please don't question her—having to sit here already salts her wounds!"
Julian Bennett rose to deliver the closing remarks.
Julian announced, "Friends from the press, that is the whole truth. Our family loves one another; domestic violence simply doesn't exist among us, and we stand firmly against it.
"Therefore, in the name of Bennett Corporation, we will donate funds to launch the 'Homes Without Violence' initiative. This project overview is on the screen. We urge everyone to protect women and children and nurture harmonious families."
Applause broke out, and praise for Bennett Corporation filled the room.
Elena looked at Julian, her heart ashen.
They had truly wrung every ounce of usefulness from her—there was even a finished PowerPoint.
Did Julian, sanctimonious as ever, forget how that slap landed on her face last night?
Did none of them feel the slightest pang of conscience?
As the conference wound down, a reporter suddenly asked, "Miss Bennett, everyone knew you were once engaged to Young Master Whitmore. Has that now been transferred to your sister? With the Whitmore engagement postponed, are you planning to fight your sister for the fiancé?"
Annabelle replied, "My sister and I are very close—there's no fighting over a fiancé. Yes, her engagement to the Whitmores has been canceled. If you don't believe me, ask my sister."
Annabelle eagerly thrust the microphone under Elena's nose.
They were actually letting Annabelle turn the truth upside down in front of all these reporters, making the world believe Elena was the one at fault.
Next, a stout woman wearing a surgical mask was led onto the stage. Even with her eyes swollen shut, Elena would have recognized her anywhere. It was a guard from the private prison—the ringleader who had tormented her.
Trembling, the stout woman bowed deeply to Elena. "Miss Bennett, I'm sorry. I should never have laid a hand on you just because you made mistakes.
"It was a personal conflict between us, nothing to do with the prison. I don't expect your forgiveness—only that you plead with Mr. Bennett to spare my life."
"You beat my sister half to death and still dream of walking away? Don't kid yourself! If we let you off, there'll be thousands more victims like her!" Annabelle glared at the woman, eyes blazing.
To outsiders, she looked as though she wanted to carve the woman into a thousand pieces to avenge her sister.
Elena's heart went completely cold.
They were forcing her to clear their name yet still splashing filth on her.
That speech basically told everyone she'd been sent away because she was spoiled and unruly—and that the beating came only after she clashed repeatedly with the instructor.
They demanded she protect the Bennett reputation while each of them twisted another knife into her chest.
Elena sat there hollow-eyed while Adaline hugged her, looking as though she had no other daughter in the world.
A reporter asked whether Elena really was as difficult as they claimed.
Elena felt icy and rigid; there was no microphone in front of her, and she knew they would never let her speak.
Adaline dabbed her tears and choked out, "Everyone, my daughter's mind is fragile after the abuse. Please don't question her—having to sit here already salts her wounds!"
Julian Bennett rose to deliver the closing remarks.
Julian announced, "Friends from the press, that is the whole truth. Our family loves one another; domestic violence simply doesn't exist among us, and we stand firmly against it.
"Therefore, in the name of Bennett Corporation, we will donate funds to launch the 'Homes Without Violence' initiative. This project overview is on the screen. We urge everyone to protect women and children and nurture harmonious families."
Applause broke out, and praise for Bennett Corporation filled the room.
Elena looked at Julian, her heart ashen.
They had truly wrung every ounce of usefulness from her—there was even a finished PowerPoint.
Did Julian, sanctimonious as ever, forget how that slap landed on her face last night?
Did none of them feel the slightest pang of conscience?
As the conference wound down, a reporter suddenly asked, "Miss Bennett, everyone knew you were once engaged to Young Master Whitmore. Has that now been transferred to your sister? With the Whitmore engagement postponed, are you planning to fight your sister for the fiancé?"
Annabelle replied, "My sister and I are very close—there's no fighting over a fiancé. Yes, her engagement to the Whitmores has been canceled. If you don't believe me, ask my sister."
Annabelle eagerly thrust the microphone under Elena's nose.
End of Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back Chapter 40. Continue reading Chapter 41 or return to Your Regrets Won't Bring Me Back book page.