Chapter 14
Jason ignored Zoe, asking Grace, "Sis, what do you think? Is it enough?"
Despite her resentment, Zoe could only plead for mercy. "Grace, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have treated your friend like that. I can apologize. Please, spare me."
Grace watched Zoe's bitter tears. She knew the plea stemmed from fear of Jason, not remorse for her. Seeing Zoe's distress, Grace felt no sympathy. Remembering Lina's suffering, her hatred intensified, mixed with self-blame. She would rather endure humiliation than let Lina suffer further. Lina had sacrificed so much; since Grace's release from prison, she'd been unable to repay Lina's hardships.
"Then I want you to apologize to Lina in front of everyone who witnessed it. You'll also be responsible for her medical bills, lost wages, and so on," Grace said.
Zoe readily agreed. An apology and compensation were a small price to avoid a broken hand.
Terrence removed his foot. Zoe clutched her injured hand, the pain too intense to hold her cane.
Jason ordered Terrence, "Tell Sean to come in and take his sister away."
"Yes," Terrence replied, retrieving Sean from outside.
Seeing his tearful sister, Sean quickly helped her up. He then gave Jason and Grace, seated on the sofa, a complicated look. Though he knew of their relationship, this was their first face-to-face encounter. The woman he'd abandoned, once relegated to the city's underbelly, was now rising rapidly. He might one day have to look up to her. This shift in status caused him immense anxiety.
"Mr. Reed, I'll take my sister now," Sean said.
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Don't you want to say hello to Grace? You're old acquaintances."
The casual tone instilled inexplicable fear in Sean.
"Miss Cummins and I haven't seen each other in a long time. I hope we can let bygones be bygones," he replied cautiously, feeling cold sweat break out.
But Jason's next words sent a chill down Sean's spine. "Grace, when she had her accident, he immediately broke up with her. If you want revenge, tell me, and I'll help you." Jason's words implied effortless retribution.
The Stevens siblings' faces paled in unison.