Chapter 108 The Art of Deception


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    #Finished


    Alice felt as if she had plunged into an icy abyss at Day''s heartless words. Tears welled up in her eyes, trembling on the edge before finally spilling over.


    Choking back sobs, she pleaded, "Lauren is our daughter too. How can you be so cruel to her?"


    "You lost her when she was just a child. She suffered so much. Do you not feel even the slightest guilt?"


    David let out a coldugh, his expressionced with mockery,


    "Cruel? Guilty?" His voice dripped with scorn. "Don''t forget, you were the one who deleted that surveince footage. You destroyed the only proof of her innocence. If we''re talking about cruelty, I could never match you."


    Alice flinched at his words, her body trembling.


    Her face twisted with pain and regret as tears streamed down her cheeks.


    "I... I only did it for Willow," she whispered, her voice thick with sorrow. "She was just a child. It was an ident. I couldn''t let her carry such a heavy burden at such a young age..."


    And now you me me?" David scoffed. "You made a mistake, and somehow, that''s my fault?"


    "I wasn''t thinking clearly back then, but what''s your excuse?"


    Seeing Alice waver, Willow quickly put on a heart-wrenchingly pitiful expression, her eyes brimming with tears. She threw herself into Alice''s arms, sobbing.


    "Mom, I never meant to hurt anyone. If I had known how much pain it would bring Lauren, I would have confessed everything back then."


    Her frail, remorseful act softened Alice instantly. The anger drained from her face, reced by deep.


    SOITOW.


    Gently stroking Willow''s hair, she whispered, "Sweetheart, I never med you. You''re my daughter-I know your heart better than anyone."


    Willow''s face remained innocent, but her eyes gleamed with silent mockery.


    What a fool.


    All it takes is a few well-timed tears, and she falls for it every time.


    Her gaze flickered toward the hospital room''s doorway, locking eyes with Sharon.


    A knowing smirk passed between them, and Sharon even shed her a discreet thumbs-up.


    Willow''s chest swelled with satisfaction.


    handphile


    This is how you y the game-distract them with one hand while you move the other.


    Manipting Alice was almost too easy. It was intoxicating.


    Chapter 108 The Art of Deception


    Finished


    Memories of her eager enthusiasm from earlier that morning surfaced in his mind, making his pulse quicken


    If only Alice would just leave. Then he and Sharon could pick up where they left


    off


    A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips. He gave Sharh a subtle nod.


    Sharon bit her lip, teasingly lifting the hem of her white coat, just enough to reveal the ck stockings beneath.


    The sight sent a rush of heat through David. He nearly lost hisposure, longing to act on his desires right then and there.


    But with Alice still present, he had to restrain-himself.


    He sighed dramatically and waved his hand dismissively. "Fine! The only thing that scares me is your tears. I''ll send someone to look for that ungrateful brat, alright?"


    He picked up his phone, pretending to issue orders.


    But instead of arranging a search for Lauren, his message went straight to Sharon.


    The words were so suggestive that she felt a rush of heat climb up her neck. Her legs nearly gave out from under her.


    Meanwhile, Alice remained oblivious to the silent exchanges.


    She continued to hold Willow, gently patting her back infort.


    She let out a quiet sigh.


    How could anyone me Willow for what happened five years ago?


    If anyone was to me, it was ine for being careless... and Lauren, for simply being in the wrong ce at the wrong


    time.


    If Lauren hadn''t been there, none of this would have fallen on Willow''s shoulders.


    It was fate.


    After soothing Willow for a while, Alice smiled warmly at her.


    "Mom, I''m sorry," Willow murmured sweetly. "I was being selfish. You''re the one who''s still recovering, yet here you are,forting me instead."


    Alice''s heart melted at her daughter''s kindness. Her exhaustion seemed to lessen.


    Patting Willow''s back, she whispered, “Silly girl, I''m fine. As long as you''re happy, that''s all that matters.


    Then, she turned to David, her gaze growing firm. "David, we need to send more people to find Lauren. No matter what''s happened, she is still our daughter. We can''t just abandon her."