Chapter 15
Tristan stood in the corridor of the psychiatric hospital, the cold white fluorescent lights stretching his shadow long across the floor.
In his hand was a file that listed every one of Cassie’s crimes over the years. They included embezzlement, corporate fraud, intentional injury, and even how she meticulously planned to frame Annabel.
The door to the ward was pushed open.
Cassie curled up in a comer, bandages still wrapped around her face. Those were wounds from her last attempt at self–harm.
When she looked up and saw Tristan, a flicker of hope crossed her eyes.
“Tristan, are you here to save me?” She crawled forward on her knees, but her body was too weak to support her movement.
Cassie lay on the floor, covered in dirt. She clutched tightly at his pant leg.
Tristan didn’t answer. He slowly crouched down, looking at her from above.
His eyes were cold as ice, his voice low and calm. “Cassie, do you know why I’m here?”
Cassie trembled and shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I–I know I was wrong. I really do…”
“Do you really know?” Tristan sneered and tossed the file in front of her.
“Is this what you mean by ‘knowing you were wrong‘?”
Cassie’s face instantly turned ashen as she glanced down at the contents of the documents.
She shook her head frantically. “No! I didn’t do any of this! Someone’s framing me! Tristan, please… You have to believe me…‘ “Framing you?”
Tristan leaned in and grabbed her chin. His grip was so tight it nearly crushed the bone.
“Do you really think I’d still fall for your lies?”
He released her and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his fingers, his face twisted with disgust.
His action cut into Cassie’s eyes like a knife. Her pupils contracted abruptly.
She lunged at him, but he kicked her aside without hesitation.
She fell back hard and shrieked hysterically, “Tristan! You can’t do this to me! I loved you! Everything I did was for you!”
“For me?” Tristan’s eyes turned completely cold.
“I
“You destroyed everything I had with Annabel for your own selfish reasons. Was that for me? If that’s the case, then it’s my turn to do something for you.” He turned and nodded to the doctor at the door.
“From today onward, I’ll be overseeing her treatment plan personally.”
The doctor respectfully handed him a new medical file.
Tristan flipped to the first page. At the top, it read, “Patient No. 0487. Treatment Plan: Electroshock therapy, medication control, permanent confinement.” Cassie started struggling wildly.
“No! You can’t do this to me! Tristan, I curse you! I curse you to never eam Annabel’s forgiveness!”
Tnstan left the ward without looking back Her heart–wrenching screams echoed behind him.
He stopped in the hallway and lit a cigarette. Smoke curled around his face, shadowing the look in his eyes.
Steven approached carefully.
“Mr. Morse, as per your instruction, all of the Lawrence family’s assets have been frozen. Cassie’s parents are also under strict surveillance. They won’t be able to reach the patient.”
Tristan just nodded faintly.
“Leak the embezzlement to the media. I want her reputation completely ruined.”
Steven nodded and walked off.
Tristan stubbed out the cigarette and looked out at the night sky beyond the window.
He knew this revenge couldn’t possibly make up for the pain Annabel had suffered. But at the very least, he would never let Cassie hurt anyone again.