Chapter 1078

Hannah suggested they cease their search. Since the Whitley family denied Karen's existence, she was effectively a new person, free from their influence.

While Carissa and Violet found the Whitleys heartless, they acknowledged the logic in Hannah's words. Further investigation was futile. Revenge wouldn't solve anything. The priority was to help Karen live, abandon suicidal thoughts, and reveal her abuser.

Zoey, having promised counseling, felt the time was right to intervene. She entered with a bowl of millet porridge, noting the pale, listless girl lying on the bed—exhausted yet strikingly beautiful despite her pallor. Without speaking, she gently wiped Karen's face and hands, stroking her hair.

Karen flinched and pulled away. "Dirty," she murmured—her first words since arriving at Skye Embroidery. She felt ashamed of her perceived uncleanliness.

Zoey took her hand, her voice soothing. "You're not dirty, my dear."

Karen remained unresponsive, her expression blank. Zoey sat with her for a time, then gently offered the porridge, speaking softly, like to a child. "Come on, have a sip."

Karen didn't open her mouth, but her lips twitched.

"Open up," Zoey coaxed, bringing the spoon to her lips. "Just one bite."

Karen remained unyielding, avoiding Zoey's gaze as if fearing her perceived uncleanliness would taint the elegant woman.

Zoey sighed. "I know you don't want to live anymore, so I put arsenic in the porridge. If you want relief, just drink it. Afterward, tell me who harmed you, and we'll ensure they pay. You can go in peace."

At the mention of arsenic, Karen's eyes sharpened. Her body trembled as she sat up, reaching for the bowl with shaky hands. Without hesitation, she drank the porridge in large gulps. The bowl was quickly emptied.

Zoey took the bowl, wiping Karen's mouth with a handkerchief. "The arsenic is potent. In about an hour, the poison will take effect. Tell me who did this to you, and we'll ensure they pay."

Karen, naive and believing Zoey, thought she could finally find peace. She lay back, tears streaming down her cheeks. "If I'm going to die anyway, let me die like this. No need for revenge."

Zoey was surprised. Did Karen not hate her abuser? Or did she distrust those at Skye Embroidery?

"I don't want a proper burial. Just throw me in the mass grave," Karen mumbled, wiping her tears. Her eyes remained vacant.

Zoey sighed softly. "Silly girl, how could we let you die? Everyone hopes you'll live. There's no arsenic in the porridge. We wanted to help you get revenge and give you the strength to live on."

Karen closed her eyes, sobbing uncontrollably. "Why can't you just let me die? I don't want to live anymore."

Zoey sat beside her, offering no comfort. Later, Carissa arrived, instructing Alana to watch Karen. Zoey went outside to speak with Carissa.

"Her situation is more complicated than we thought," Zoey explained, revealing her deception. "Logically, she should hate her abuser, yet she'd rather die than reveal them. Even without their identity, she could describe what happened and where. That would help our investigation."

Leona offered, "Maybe she doesn't want to remember? This event was catastrophic. It's understandable if she can't talk about it."

Carissa nodded thoughtfully. "Possible, but there might be more to it." Carissa had rescued Karen from the bridge. When she'd asked about Karen's family, Karen had screamed, "I have no family! I'd rather die than go back! I'd rather die away from them!"

They later learned the Whitleys had abandoned Karen, deeming her impure and wanting her to poison herself. They assumed Karen resented her family.

But Karen had always wanted to die. Why would poison fulfill that desire? Why had she listened to her mother and run away?

"Maybe we should ask her mother when we get the chance," Carissa suggested. "Her mother clearly wanted her to live. Maybe she knows more."