?Chapter 866:


    Norah furrowed her brow in concentration as she dialed Joanna’s number, but there was no answer, which struck her as odd. Joanna never missed calls. She always kept her phone within reach; it was practically an extension of her.


    Concerned, Norah immediately called Alice.


    “Joanna? I haven’t seen her recently. What’s going on with her?” Alice responded on the other end of the line. “The band’s on tour, and I’m swamped. I don’t even have time to visit Susanna in the hospital,” she added briskly.


    Norah could hear faint musical tones in the background, which suggested Alice was rehearsing. Not wanting to intrude, she kept the conversation short and ended the call.


    She tried calling Joanna again, but still no answer. Her grip tightened on the phone as she dialed Bryson. She hoped he might know where Joanna was.


    “Hi, Norah. What’s up? I wasn’t expecting your call,” Bryson’s tired voice came through.


    “I’ve been trying to reach Joanna, but she hasn’t answered. Is something wrong? I really need to speak with her.” Norah leaned against the wall, her eyes fixed on the green nts outside the window.


    Bryson sighed deeply, his voice heavy with worry. “Norah, Joanna’s in trouble.”


    Norah’s eyes widened in surprise. She straightened up, and her expression turned grim as Bryson exined what had happened to her.


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    “That can’t be right!” Norah eximed, rm shing in her eyes. “Joanna would never do that!”


    “We all believe she’s innocent, but she’s consumed by guilt and has isted herself in her room,” Bryson exined with a heavy tone. “The Carters are threatening to release the surveince footage, and it’s putting immense pressure on us. My dad’s tried to negotiate, but they insist Joanna apologize to Madeline. She’spletely stressed out.”


    Norah vividly remembered the day Joanna had nearly died at Silver Boulder, trying to help someone. The incident had left Joanna grappling with self-doubt after she woke up.


    “Please put her on the line. I’ll talk to her,” Norah insisted firmly. She had unwavering faith in Joanna’s character. They had been friends for years, and she knew Joanna would never have pushed Madeline down the stairs, let alone gone through with it. They all believed that children were innocent, regardless of how wicked their mothers might be.


    “Joanna won’t answer your calls. She’s been having nightmares, skipping meals, and doesn’t want to talk right now,” Bryson informed Norah solemnly.


    As she listened to him, Norah felt a pang of familiarity. The same thing had happened to Susanna.


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