Chapter 1192: Little Bunny's Visit

Theodore barely contained his rage as he saw Little Bunny seized by the guard. His fists clenched, veins bulging. In the past, he would have struck the guard, regardless of the circumstances.

"Don't move!" he commanded, his voice cold.

Little Bunny, red-eyed and enduring the pain, barely lifted her head to look at Theodore. "I just want to say a few words."

Theodore met her gaze, a distress he couldn't entirely mask beneath his cold demeanor. "Let her go," he instructed the guard.

Despite his current predicament, as Susan had assured him, no one dared bully him here. The guard nodded, releasing Little Bunny with a warning: "Behave yourself."

Little Bunny nodded quickly. As long as she could speak with Theodore, she would remain composed.

She gained her freedom, and Theodore waited for her on a bench in the meeting room. Once seated, Little Bunny began, "Theodore..."

He cut her off immediately. "Don't flatter yourself. It wasn't because of you."

Tears welled in her eyes as he continued, "I know what you're going to say, and that you think highly of yourself. Yes, I was arrested for abusing my power—fabricating evidence of his drug use—and subsequently reported. Now I'm here, facing a sentence."

Theodore continued, speaking as if recounting someone else's story, "It did involve you, but I ended things not because I anticipated imprisonment."

Little Bunny listened quietly.

"I truly have no feelings for you anymore," Theodore stated firmly, "but I didn't expect to be reported so soon after our breakup. I admit I blamed you, but now I see it was my pride, leading me down an illegal path. Any blame rests solely with me; you forced me into nothing."

Little Bunny stared intently. Theodore spoke casually, shouldering the entire blame to spare her guilt.

"Little Bunny, I don't want your sympathy, pity, or guilt. Honestly, even if you feel guilty, it changes nothing. You can't undo what I've lost. Consider it the price of leaving you; we're even now."

"Did you make Addison quit the industry?" Little Bunny finally asked.

"Yes," Theodore admitted. "Don't think it was for you; it was to save face. Since I couldn't keep my promise to you, I'll at least minimize the damage. Don't worry; Addison's drug use won't be publicized. I have the means to handle it."

"I'm not concerned about Addison's career..." Little Bunny began, attempting to clarify. She wanted to refute his assertion, knowing that regardless of his denials, he'd broken up with her to avoid implicating her in his legal troubles.

"It doesn't matter," Theodore interrupted impatiently. "Whatever happened between you and him is none of my concern now. Frankly, I don't care if you date anyone else. You don't need to tell me. We're done. I have no feelings for you, Little Bunny. Don't flatter yourself."

"I know," she replied after a pause.

A pang of something akin to regret struck Theodore at her response. He mused, "Who named her 'Little Bunny'? Her father or mother? She has a gentle personality, like a real bunny."

"I know there are no feelings left," Little Bunny continued earnestly. "I didn't come for reassurance... I came to apologize. Everything is my fault."

Theodore looked at her intently, observing her sincere expression.

"I know you don't care about my apology," she continued. "Nothing can undo your losses, losses few in Northfield could compensate for, but I still feel guilty. I apologize so I won't feel this guilt later."

"Okay," Theodore replied.

She'd come to ease her own conscience. Anyone would blame themselves. Avoiding a face-to-face apology would burden anyone psychologically.

"I accept your apology," Theodore said. "You can live with a clear conscience. I'm not a good person, but I take responsibility for my actions and won't blame you. Now that I'm going to prison, I'll have less time with Nicholas. I suddenly feel I owe him something. Please be good to him for me."

"I'll spend more time with Nicholas," Little Bunny promised.

"And my father," Theodore added. "He's difficult, but he's getting old. When you're with Nicholas, talk to him, too."

"Okay," Little Bunny nodded.

"That's all. You should leave now," Theodore urged.

Little Bunny summoned her courage. "How many years will you be sentenced?" She was unfamiliar with Northfield's legal system and hadn't consulted lawyers.

"I don't know," Theodore replied impatiently, wanting no further questions. "Three or five years, unavoidable. Don't worry about me; focus on your life."

Little Bunny nodded. "I will live well."

"That's good. Hurry and leave," Theodore said, rising from his chair.

"Theodore,"

He stopped.

"Take care of yourself."

"Don't worry; nobody dares to touch me here," he said.

"Um..."

Theodore didn't look back as the guards escorted him away, disappearing from Little Bunny's sight.

"I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes," she thought. Everything she'd said was meant to reassure him, to let him believe she'd moved on.