?<strong>Chapter 1049:</strong>


    “Tell us. Who exactly put you up to this?”


    “This is yourst chance,” Ken interjected. “If you don’te clean, don’t me me for being ruthless.”


    Barton hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Earlier, if Nova hadn’t interrupted, he would’ve revealed the mastermind.


    But now, as though he had seen something — or someone — his demeanor shifted. He dropped to his knees and confessed, “I’ll tell you. It was all my fault. No one else ordered me to do it. I stole the items and tried to frame Ms. rke, but… things didn’t go as nned.” The words were simple, yet each one seemed to cost Barton dearly.


    Nova’s piercing gaze burned into him like a warning. Taking all the me was his only option now. It was the only way he could hope for her protection.


    Even if he went to prison, he could still get out eventually with her help.


    Dissatisfied with Barton’s answer, Ken pressed once more, “No one instructed you?”


    Barton gritted his teeth and shook his head. “No!”


    Ken let out a cold, cruelugh. “Fine. Sherman, take him to the forest nearby and feed him to those starving wolves.”


    The moment those words left Ken’s lips, Barton seemed to snap out of whatever trance had held him. His face drained of color, and sheer terror overtook him. He struggled violently against Sherman’s grip and shrieked, “W-where are you taking me? No! I’m not going with you!”


    Everyone at the sanatorium, especially those employed by the Lloyd family, knew that ce. The forest at the back of the mountain was a ce of no return — a brutal domain where wild wolves roamed freely, leaving no trace of their victims.


    Sherman tightened his hold on Barton. “You don’t get to choose. You’re going.”


    Barton’s fear reached its peak. In desperation, he broke free just long enough to fall to his knees before Allison.


    “Ms. rke, please! I’m really sorry! I didn’t mean to frame you. Please, spare me! I swear I won’t do it again!”


    Allison’s eyes carried a sense of certainty, her tone unwavering.


    “If you’re the one behind all this, then you’re finished.”


    Barton, hearing the weight of her words, broke down in fear.


    Tears streamed down his face as he turned desperately toward Nova.


    “Mrs. Lloyd, please save me…”


    They had an agreement: if discovered, Barton would take the me, and Nova would ensure his safety. But now, that promise seemed empty.


    Nova’s expression hardened, her disgust evident.


    “Dr. Swain, I trusted you. Yet, not only did you deceive me, but now you want my help?”


    Her steps toward him were deliberate, her voice cold.


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