Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Letitia bolted out of the company and hailed a cab
She pulled out all the cash she had and shoved it into the driver’s hands, “This is all I’ve got, please, I beg you, take me to AquaCity Detention Center
The driver saw how pitiful she looked and agreed to help her out
When Letitia arrived. Preston was sprawled out on a stretcher. His arms and thighs were covered in burn marks. His eyes were half-open, and he kept repeating how much it hurt.
“Dad!” Letitia rushed over “Dad, look at me, it’s Letitia What happened, how did my dad get burned so badly!”
The guard replied. “He did it to himself. We’ve got nothing to do with it.”
“Where is the surveillance footage? I want to see the whole incident!”
Sorry, sweetheart, the footage here isn’t for just anyone’s eyes.”
Letitia gritted her teeth, You. You’re pushing me too far!”
“Letitia, it hurts, it hurts so bad Preston moaned unconsciously. “Help me out…”
He tried to reach for the blisters from his burns, but Letitia grabbed his hand, “Dad, hang in there, I’m taking you to the hospital right now!”
“No can do, he’s a prisoner in custody, you need proper authorization to take him out.”
So what, you’re just gonna watch my dad die?!”
The guard responded, “Honestly, you can only blame yourselves for pissing off the wrong people. Your dad hasn’t had it easy since he got here.
A name flashed through Letitia’s mind- Elgin! It was him!
Hadn’t he tormented her enough?! Even her father, who was serving time, wasn’t spared!
“I’m gonna see Elgin, I’m going to him right now. Letitia cleaned her tears, trying to get up
But just as she stood up. Shela strolled in, a smug smirk playing on her lips. With a gloating tone, she said, “Letitia, save your breath. Elgin despises you so much, he just wants to see you suffer!
“Was it you?” Letitia shot back.
“I was bored and thought I’d come to see how your old man was doing Shela replied “Who knew he’d accidentally knock over a kettle and scald himself like that”
That’s impossible! You did this!”
Shela shrugged with a smug look, “Got any proof?”
Letitia’s fists clenched tight as she glared at Shela, fire nearly shooting from her eyes.
“You’re dying to hit me, right?” Shela taunted, “Come on, if it weren’t for Mr. Ramirez stopping you last time, you would’ve slapped me already. He’s not here today, have at it.”
She knew Letitia wouldn’t dare touch her, so she was just egging her on!
Go on, spill some boiling water on me, Letitia, come on, don’t just stand there!”
Shela’s gloating face kept dancing in front of Letitia’s eyes.
“You can come at me, Letitia took a deep breath, “the one you hate is me, not my dad.”
Shele stepped up to her. Do you honestly think I could puff off a stunt like this in prison by myself and get everyone to cover for me?
You are saying.
That’s right Shela said, “Mr. Ramirez allowed me to do it. After all, you’re nothing but lowly trash, your dad should’ve been dead long ago! Mr. Ramirez kept him around just to blow off some steam now and then!” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Letitia tasted blood in her mouth, her throat tinged with a bitter sweetness
It was all done with Elgin’s silent consent. His was so cruel!
“Why, why?” her eyes reddened as she bit her lip hard, “What do I have to do to get my dad to the hospital?”
“Weren’t you the one who’d rather take a whipping than bark like a dog?”
Letitia got the message. In this moment, with her loved one’s safety on the line, her dignity was worthless.
Shela held her chin high. “Start now, or I might just change my mind.”
Preston, despite his injuries, was still somewhat lucid and tried to stop her, “No, Letitia, no… it doesn’t hurt…”
Letitia forced her tears back and hung her head low, complying.
The sound echoed through the cramped room Each bark felt like a knife cutting into her flesh!
“Not bad.” Shela nodded, “Remember this, Letitia, be a bit more respectful to me from now on. I’m the future Mrs.
Ramirez!
Letitia just asked numbly, “Can I take my dad to the hospital now?”
“Call a doctor to have a look, put some ointment on him, that’s enough. Is he so precious he needs a hospital? Besides, do you have the money?
Watching Letitia’s anguished face filled Shela with sheer satisfaction!
Just thinking of how Letitia had slept with Mr Ramirez filled her with envy. Thank goodness her dad Mark was clever enough to push her into the spot and secure today’s luxury.
So now was the time to crush Letitia, make sure she never gets her chance!
With Mr Ramirez doting on her so much, even if he found out about today’s doings, he wouldn’t blame her!
Shela bumped into Letitia’s shoulder on purpose and strutted away in her heels
Letitia slowly crouched down, “Dad”
“Letitia, my poor girl.
“I’m fine, dad She held Preston’s hand tightly holding back the tears that threatened to spill, As long as you and mom
are still here, I have a reason to keep going!
When she left the prison, it was already dark. It was a long way from Ivory Towers, and Letitia walked for a good two hours before she got home
As soon as she entered the living room, Elgin’s sharp gaze fell on her.
She flinched but felt mostly numb.
He was the devil incamate, dragging her into hell, making her life a living nightmare!
“Where have you been?” Elgin spoke gravely
Letitia knew she should be more submissive and obedient, that would be the smart thing to do.
But her heart ached too much, and she replied with a bitter laugh, “Where have I been? Aren’t you the one who knows best?”
Elgin frowned, “You think you’re worth having someone on your tail 24/7?”
“It won’t happen again, Letitia said expressionlessly. “I’m exhausted, can I go rest now?”
“Do you realize the tone you’re using to talk to me?”-
In a flash. her tears and gnevances nearly burst forth, and she wanted to curse Elgin out loud!
Why should she be so miserably treated by him and still have to be all polite and respectful?!
But she couldn’t. Blowing off steam now was only gonna bring her a world of hurt from Elgin.
All of a sudden, Letitia found herself green with envy over Shela. How come she’s the apple of Elgin’s eye, getting all the love and favoritism? And there she was, struggling just to keep her head above
water!
“Letitia, I told you not to lie to me, Elgin said as he tossed the photos at her. “You broke the rules again!”
The photos scattered all over the floor.
It was her, standing at the entrance of the junkyard, bumping into Walden.
The one that stuck out like a sore thumb was the photo where Walden had his hand on her shoulder. The photo was crumpled, clearly it had been gripped tightly for a long time.
“I’ve told you everything about him today. Letitia said, fighting to keep her emotions in check. “I didn’t hide a thing.”
“You’ve seen each other before today!”
“It was just a chance encounter.”
Elgin shot back with an icy tone, “Then why didn’t you mention it?”
“I forgot. Plus, it wasn’t worth mentioning.”
What scared her more was if Elgin found out she was scrounging around for scrap. If he did, there goes her only source. of income.
All of a sudden, he stood up, dragged her into the bathroom, and slammed her into the corner.
Then, Elgin grabbed the showerhead, turned on the cold water, and let it rain down on Letitia!