Chapter 606:

Lanny's eyes darted around, alert and watchful. Glenda, frustrated, frowned in confusion. She'd hoped Lanny would quickly kill Janet so she could escape and start anew with Mabel. Instead, he was dawdling, engaging Janet in seemingly light-hearted conversation, as if they were old friends.

Glenda's patience snapped. She snatched the hammer from Lanny's grasp. "What are you waiting for, you idiot? Just do it!"

Still scanning the area, Lanny cautioned, "Hold on. Something feels wrong."

Glenda's patience evaporated. "You're just scared, Lanny. Are you backing out?"

In a burst of anger, Glenda raised the hammer to strike Janet. At that moment, a bullet sliced through the air, shattering the hammer.

"Damn, it's a trap!" Lanny yelled, diving for cover, his eyes wide with fear and caution.

Glenda, reeling but determined, ignored the danger. She grabbed a machete and lunged at Janet.

"Are you crazy? Get back here!" Lanny shouted, infuriated by her impulsiveness. They'd clearly walked into a trap, but Glenda pressed forward, heedless of the peril.

Suddenly, police officers flooded the factory, blocking all exits.

"Drop your weapons!" they commanded, their voices booming.

Lanny quickly pulled Glenda behind him, his eyes scanning the room. They were trapped, completely surrounded.

Elyse approached, cloaked in a gray shawl and pillbox hat. Her face, partially hidden, was cold and determined as she fixed her gaze on Lanny. He'd anticipated Jayden, but Elyse's appearance was a complete surprise.

"Well, well," Elyse said coolly, "look what we have here. You two are a sight."

Lanny, with his unkempt hair and worn clothes—the result of countless stakeouts—looked years older than he was. Glenda looked even worse, exhausted, her head bandaged, her skin pale.

Elyse continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "You both look a mess. Is this karma?"

Lanny laughed mockingly. "Karma? Please!" he scoffed. "Your parents are dead, and I took what was rightfully mine. I've been enjoying the good life for years! It's definitely not karma."

Lanny's arrogance filled the air, dismissing Elyse's threats.

"I know what you're trying to do," he said calmly. "You want to frame me, to lock me up. But I haven't harmed a soul. You have nothing on me!"

Elyse barely suppressed a laugh, raising an eyebrow. "Do you really believe this is a ploy to get you to commit a crime?"

Lanny's smile turned menacing. "Absolutely. Your schemes are transparent. Save your excuses."

Elyse shrugged. "You're wrong. I'm not here to entice you. I already have proof of your crimes—the murder of my parents. And you have a history of mental illness, remember?"

Lanny's face fell as he saw the police closing in, his confidence crumbling.

Glenda felt the tension. Her voice was sharp with fear and blame. "The police are here for us, aren't they? Why were you so careless? What do we do now?"

"Shut up!" Lanny was rattled, caught off guard by Elyse's maneuver.

Glenda's eyes fixed on the approaching officers. Fear overwhelmed her as she clutched Lanny's shirt, her hands trembling.

"Answer me!" she snapped. "Aren't you my husband? Protect me! We need to leave! I have to see my daughter!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Lanny's voice cracked. Grabbing the machete from Glenda, he hissed, "So you just want to ditch me, huh? Fine. I'll give you what you want."

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