Revenge Forged in Prison
Chapter 23: Never Meet A Good End
Raquel faltered briefly, caught off guard, but she soon regained her composure and found her courage again.
“Did I say something wrong? You poisoned and schemed against Jesse. Karma’s a b*tch. What goes around comes around.”
Caleb lowered his gaze and scoffed, “You’re right. Karim really is a b*tch.”
Raquel, at a loss for words, chose to remain silent.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, Jesse asked, “Caleb, why did you try to harm me?”
It’s tough to figure out who’s trying to harm whom.
Caleb replied calmly, “Didn’t you want me dead? I didn’t even know I was coming back to the Quixall residence. How could I possibly have access to such a deadly poison?”
Yelena was hit by a sudden realization. That’s right! Caleb just got back. Last night, he only stopped by the Sherman family’s private inn. When would he have had the chance to find such a poison? From the way he’s acting, it’s obvious he never planned on returning to the Quixall residence. They dragged him back here against his will. And he just woke up twenty minutes ago. His approach was anything but subtle, force-feeding the drug to Jesse. If he really wanted to put Jesse in serious danger, wouldn’t he have done it in a more discreet way?
After pondering for a while, Yelena asked, “Who gave the drug to Caleb?”
Deborah was momentarily stunned. She had visited Caleb’s room in the morning and hadn’t returned when she heard Jesse shouting. Suddenly, she came to a realization.
She chuckled awkwardly and said, “I was the only one who went. Surely, I couldn’t have given Caleb any poison.”
Caleb’s expression remained unchanged as he remarked, “Those who protect others never meet a good end, Mrs. Quixall.”
“I’m not—” Deborah replied, her heart filled with reluctance as she turned to look at Jesse. “Jesse, be honest with me. How did you find out about Caleb’s plan to jump off the building?”
“I went to visit Caleb, but the moment I walked in, he started force-feeding me drugs. I couldn’t avoid it…” Jesse appeared aggrieved, and a faint mistiness could be seen in his eyes. “Mom, do you not trust me? Why would I ever do something so foolish as to harm my own brother?”
Seeing the tears in his eyes, Deborah felt her heart melt completely.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have asked you that.” Deborah held Jesse, repeatedly offering words of comfort.
George sternly declared, “In any case, this matter is far from over! Even if…”
Chapter 23: Never Meet A Good End
When judgment fell upon him, the punishment was severe and unyielding. Yet, for Jesse, the matter was smoothed over, barely acknowledged. These were the people he had once cherished, the family he had clung to. Two decades of love and loyalty crumbled in the face of the vaunted bonds of blood. The fiery resolve that once burned within him was doused by the chilling waters of betrayal.
So be it.
Since his release from prison, he had shed all expectations. With a sense of resignation, Caleb asked, “So, what do you plan to do? An eye for an eye, or throw me back in jail for a few more years?”
Yelena cast her eyes downward, avoiding Caleb’s gaze as though she couldn’t bear to meet it.
“This would depend on Jesse’s wishes.”
With great effort, Jesse grasped Deborah’s hand.
“Mom, please talk to Dad and ask him to forgive Caleb. It’s only fair that he holds some resentment toward me after everything he’s been through. He went to prison because of me, and I can’t just turn my back on the debt I owe him.”
Tears welled up in Deborah’s eyes. She was deeply moved. “Jesse, you’re so thoughtful. Don’t worry, your dad will understand. Hubby, please stop arguing with Caleb. Getting upset won’t help Jesse recover. Just this once, trust my advice, please.”
After some contemplation, George finally gave in.
“Fine then. But Caleb’s actions were reckless, and he needs to face consequences. Jesse, what do you suggest?”
In a soft voice, Jesse replied, “As his punishment, let him take care of me. I want to use this time to bond with him.”