The persons voice turned frostier,ced with venomous warning.


    Because if you dont, youll find yourself rotting in prison.


    And if you doubt my reach, feel free to test it.


    The words sent a chill down Lindsays spine.


    She had no illusions about the gravity of the threat-it was no empty bluff.


    Yet resentment gnawed at her resolve, making her hesitate.


    Why not help me just one more time? If Ste ends up in prison, Matthew wont survive the public bacsh.


    Divorce will be inevitable.


    Isnt that a win-win for both of us? The response came cold, direct, and final. Did you not hear me the first time? You have one week to decide! A flicker of rity pierced Lindsays clouded mind.


    Your target was Ste from the start, wasnt it? Or do you have other ns for her? But the person offered no reply.


    The only response was curt and dismissive.


    Leave now.


    Before Lindsay could press further, a hand mped over her nose and mouth from behind.


    She thrashed and kicked wildly, but the struggle was futile.


    Darkness consumed her again, this time pulling her into unconsciousness.


    When she regained consciousness, she found herself slumped in her wheelchair, positioned haphazardly on a patch of grass beside the street.


    Before she could piece together her thoughts, her phone buzzed. Her trembling fingers grabbed the device.


    A single message red back at her-a chilling reminder of the one-week deadline.


    Fury erupted within her, her face flushing crimson as her grip tightened around the phone.


    She came perilously close to hurling it into the void of night.


    Her hatred for Ste burned hotter than ever, a wildfire consuming every shred of reason.


    How had it alle to this? Who in the shadows could possibly be aiding Ste? Lindsay lingered outside alone, striving to regain herposure before wheeling herself back inside.


    Katelyn noticed her return and approached cautiously.


    However, Lindsay, lost in her thoughts about navigating the tricky situation, waspletely unaware of Katelyns peculiar behavior.


    She headed straight to her room, mming the door shut behind her. Katelyn stood at the threshold, staring at the closed door, and let out a sigh of relief.


    Relieved that Lindsay hadnt noticed her strange demeanor, she silently prayed for the issue to resolve itself without her involvement.


    Meanwhile, Matthew drove Ste to the studio.


    Throughout the trip, he kept apologizing.


    Ste, Im sorry.


    I didnt mean it.


    I shouldnt have acted so impulsively.


    Can you forgive me? Ste, however, remained expressionless, offering no response.