Chapter 88

Lilian knelt, tears streaming down her cheeks, a picture of repentance. Cynthia, however, remained impassive, legs crossed. "Your kneeling habit hasn't improved, has it? But this trick is useless against me," Cynthia sneered, bending to pinch Lilian's chin hard.

Lilian gasped in pain, tears flowing freely. Cynthia released her only then.

Lilian sobbed, "Cynthia, you were born into wealth; you get whatever you want. I was born into hell. My mother abused me since childhood. I couldn't even dream of a new dress. Do you know how painful that was? I admit I messed up taking Filip from you, but he was the only light in my bleak life. I had to hold onto him; I was too terrified to go back. Losing Filip is just a change of lifelong partner for you. You can find someone excellent, from a formidable family. But he was my only lifeline, so I had no choice but to cling to him desperately."

"You'll never understand how suffocating my life has been," Lilian cried hysterically. "Walk a day in my shoes, and you'll understand!"

Cynthia, however, remained unmoved. "If you loved Filip, you would have confessed openly, not used underhanded tactics. You deserve no sympathy."

"Would I have won fighting fair? I'm inferior to you. Filip would never have looked at me otherwise," Lilian argued.

"So you persecuted me and ruined my life?" Cynthia scoffed coldly.

Lilian was stunned. So, she's provoking me, she thought, her eyes brimming with tears. That speech was just a ploy to get a confession. Thank goodness I'm still clear-headed.

"Cynthia, what are you talking about? I forged your diary to cause a misunderstanding, but I never tried to ruin your life!" Lilian exclaimed innocently. Filip knows about the diary; he's probably already told Cynthia. A confession might make it sound more believable.

Cynthia saw through her. The diary didn't explicitly detail Lilian's actions, but Cynthia knew Lilian was involved. "Lilian, I'll ask again: What did you do to me during our freshman year's summer vacation?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lilian replied innocently.

Cynthia stood, an icy aura surrounding her. "Lilian, this is your last chance. Tell me how you planned it, and who helped you. Otherwise, don't blame me for my ruthlessness."

"It wasn't me! Really!" Lilian begged.

Chapter 88 (continued)

Cynthia stared icily at Lilian before returning to the chair in front of the surveillance camera. "Then leave, if you can."

Lilian felt something was wrong. Cynthia seemed dangerous, a different person. Lilian turned to leave.

As she neared the door, a terrible howling erupted from the basement. Lilian quickened her pace. Outside, four enormous wolves—not dogs—blocked her path. They were huge, lean, with green eyes, staring fiercely. She understood Cynthia's words now: Leave if you can. But why wolves? Hungry wolves?

The wolves spotted her and stalked toward her. Terrorized, Lilian froze. They quickened their pace. Finally reacting, she fled back inside.

Her first instinct was to hide in a nearby room, but all the doors had been removed. Cynthia was prepared.

Lilian raced upstairs, intending to find Cynthia, but the monitoring room was empty. The screens showed the wolves ascending the stairs.

They fanned out, systematically searching each floor and corridor. Lilian, legs shaking, realized Cynthia's cruelty. She had nowhere to hide.

As she left the monitoring room, a wolf appeared at the corridor's end, howling and charging.

Terrified, Lilian spotted the elevator. She darted inside, pressing the close button with trembling fingers.

The wolf, less than fifteen feet away, leaped…