“What else is there? Cynthia has been angling to get acquitted, which is why she’s so insistent on lodging an appeal in the first place. That being said, the appeal wouldn’t make a difference, and the sentences would still run anyway. Her mom probably rushed over here to convince you to drop the charges,” Charles said as he leaned close to Sonia’s ear.

He spoke softly, but Carmen heard it nonetheless, and she winced in embarrassment as she interjected, “Well, Miss Reed, Mr. Lane is right. I am indeed here to convince you to drop the charges.”

 

“See? Told you so,” Charles mused, shrugging dismissively.

Sonia rolled her eyes at him in mild exasperation before addressing Carmen with a distant smile. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Stone, but I won’t be dropping the charges.”

Carmen stiffened when she heard her words and grew a little uneasy; she had not expected such an outright rejection from the other woman. However, she was quick to regain her composure as she pleaded, “Please, Miss Reed. I know Cynthia has completely crossed the line this time, but she’s been repentant ever since. Could you please—”

“No!” Sonia was expressionless as she cut Carmen off mid-sentence. “Mrs. Stone, you said she’s been repentant ever since, so why is it that she has yet to apologize to me? More to the point, why didn’t you apologize to me on her part? Don’t you think that’s the least you could do as a parent after realizing your daughter’s in the wrong?”

 

“That’s right,” Charles chimed. He put his hands on the back of his head as he added insouciantly, “It seems rather insincere on your part to show up—without gifts, might I add—and ask my darling for a favor now that the ruling is about to be given and Cynthia is going to be pronounced guilty. It’s almost like a bad joke.”

Carmen tightened her grip on her purse, growing flustered after the two persons in front of her had put her down without much decorum. The humiliation left her speechless. She thought she might be able to persuade Sonia to relent on the charges. I didn’t know how cold-hearted these two could be, she thought grimly.

 

be pestered by Carmen any longer, Sonia glanced at Charles meaningfully

the hand

this from happening. “Won’t you please just drop the charges for my sake, Miss Reed? If you do, I’ll personally bring Cynthia over and give you a formal

the charges, so begging me won’t do you any good at all. Could you please let

upon deaf ears as Carmen gazed at her peevishly. “How could you

say my darling is heartless? Come on, even you have to admit that Cynthia deserves what she

say, “Should I get down on my knees before you then, Miss Reed?” With that, she promptly let go of Sonia and dropped to her knees

were shocked by her action, and when they finally registered the situation, they quickly hauled her

Stone!” Sonia sighed tiredly, rubbing her temples in

of events. “This is emotional blackmail, Mrs.

on her knees after Sonia’s outright rejection. This was virtually no different from running away from

as twisted as Cynthia’s. It was no wonder that the latter turned out the

gazed at her hopefully and seized the chance to ask, “Does

to say, “I’m sorry, Mrs.

out, Carmen broke away from Charles and attempted to drop to her knees once more. This time, however, someone stopped her. It was neither Charles nor Sonia who kept her

as she snapped in aggravation, “How could you let someone older get down on their knees before you, Miss Reed? You’re

the accusation. Meanwhile, Charles rolled his eyes in the most jaded manner he could. “Oh, for God’s sake, are you blind? When did my darling ever ask Mrs. Stone to get down on

skeptical.

of Tina’s hand as she explained, “No, Tina, Mr. Lane is right. I got on my knees

why, Mrs. Stone?” Tina stared

aggrieved. “I’m doing this for Cynthia. She will be freed as soon as Miss Reed

begging on your knees

casting a brief glance at Sonia, she dabbed at her tears. “Unfortunately, Miss Reed has yet to agree

then glowered at Sonia unhappily. “Miss Reed, it’s rather cruel of you to reject Mrs. Stone after she has gotten down on her knees in front

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