“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.

 

at Charles meaningfully and declared, “Well then, we should make a

grabbed Sonia by the hand abruptly. “I’m begging you, Miss Reed. Please go easy on

this from happening. “Won’t you please just drop the charges for my sake, Miss Reed? If

made myself very clear just now that I will not drop the charges, so begging me won’t do you any good at all. Could you please let go of me now?” Sonia

gazed at her peevishly. “How

Cynthia deserves what she got,” Charles

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

her action, and when they finally

do this, Mrs. Stone!” Sonia sighed

was displeased by this turn of events. “This is emotional

would resort to begging on her knees after Sonia’s outright rejection. This was virtually no different from running away from responsibilities. Besides, this was far more than just emotional blackmailing; it was

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

seeing Sonia’s expression soften, she gazed at her hopefully and seized the chance to

say, “I’m sorry,

drop to her knees once more. This time, however, someone stopped her. It was neither Charles nor Sonia who kept her from kneeling, but

in aggravation, “How could you let someone older get down on

the most jaded manner he could. “Oh, for God’s sake, are you blind? When did

skeptical. “Right. As

of Tina’s hand as she explained, “No, Tina, Mr. Lane is

Tina stared at Carmen in

for Cynthia. She will be freed as soon as

you’re begging on your knees for

a brief glance at Sonia, she dabbed at her tears. “Unfortunately,

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

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