Chapter 364
Chapter 364
The manor was a total madhouse, with reporters scrambling to capture the day’s events.
I was tucked away in the crowd, watching from a safe distance.
Bonnie was on the ground, sobbing. What surprised me was that Gloria and Ethan Foster were nowhere to be found.
Alicia found me among the crowd. “You’re here. Gloria and Ethan Foster are in the room. Neil has someone keeping an eye on them.”
“Alright.” I nodded.
Suddenly, Bonnie spotted me. Her eyes were swollen and red, brimming with hatred. She sprang up and charged at me.
Luckily, Neil was quick on his feet and pulled me behind him.
Bonnie’s hair was a mess; she looked unhinged. “Neil, you’ve been playing me with Irene this whole time, right?” She accused, “You used me to get close to Gloria and the others, right? You had Irene get those documents, didn’t you? I can’t believe you’d stoop so low!”
“You fight fire with fire.” Neil replied coldly.
“Really? I loved you so much, and this is how you repay me? You never had any feelings for me, did you?” Bonnie asked indignantly as her eyes filled with rage.
I wondered if Neil ever had feelings for Bonnie when he first met her. Was it because Bonnie looked so much like Karina?
“No, I was attracted to your looks because you resemble a friend of mine.” Neil’s reply was harsh, a blow to both Bonnie and me.
I knew that friend was Karina.
Karina was back now, and once everything here was settled, he could reunite with her and their child, who resembled him so much. How wonderful…
I planned to follow my mother’s advice, give up the company for cash, and leave this place with my family for a peaceful life elsewhere.
“You’re ruthless, Neil… I chose the wrong man to love…” Bonnie started crying again, and just then, the police arrived. They asked for Bonnie’s identity and took her
away.
Bonnie’s figure receding into the distance was a pitiful sight. From an ordinary college girl to Gloria’s goddaughter and all the drama with Neil, her life was far from typical. Most people never even got to interact with people of her social status.
But she’d fooled everyone. The heart she’d had transplanted wasn’t Karina’s; whether she knew it or not, it didn’t seem to matter anymore.
Next up were Ethan Foster and Gloria. The police found them and took them away. I wasn’t ready to hand over the documents to the police yet because I was worried that Ethan Foster might have insiders.
Neil had the same concern. “Let me handle it first. I’ll make sure it’s safe, and then we can give the documents to the police.”
“Alright.” I nodded.
Just as things were starting to calm down and guests were leaving, I saw a figure in the distance. She was wearing a white short–sleeved shirt and blue jeans, no longer hiding. She looked straight at me.
Neil was just finishing talking to me when his gaze casually landed on her. He froze.
For a moment, it was as if time stood still. Our eyes met, like two ribbons intertwined.
I finally saw what Karina really looked like. No wonder Neil fell for Bonnie at first sight; they really did look alike.
“Is that…” Alicia was shocked.
After noticing that Neil was looking at her, Karina turned and quickly left, like a startled deer.
Neil snapped back to reality. He didn’t even take a second look at me and just ran after Karina. He looked back at me when he was a distance away, but decided to keep chasing Karina.
. It made sense. You’d want to find out the truth after seeing someone you thought was dead suddenly appear before you.
“That’s Karina?” Alicia finally came to her senses, asking incredulously.
“Yep, that’s her.” I replied casually, ready to leave.
Alicia followed behind, unable to accept the fact that Karina was alive.
This time, I didn’t go back to Sunflower Terrace. Instead, I returned to Sapphire River Community and told my mom everything that had happened.
“You’re saying there’s a chance your father could get out?” My mom couldn’t hide her joy.
“Yes, as long as Ethan Foster’s actions are exposed, there’s a good chance.” I forced a smile. Of course, I was happy that my dad could get out, but the thought of Neil chasing after Karina was hard to swallow.
*Neil helped?” My mom asked.
I didn’t deny it–and–just nodded.
My mom knew about the engagement between Neil and Bonnie going sour today, but she didn’t know the details. After hearing my response, she fell silent.
After a while, she finally spoke up. “Rena, tell me, do you still have feelings for Neil? Do you want to try again?”
It seemed like she was willing to accept Neil.
But it didn’t matter now. The moment Karina showed up, I was back to being a side character. To fight for anything more would be humiliating.
“The company is your life’s work. If you’re willing to give it up, then what do I have to hold onto? As long as you and Dad are okay, I’ll go wherever you go. As for Neil and me, let things take their course. If we’re not meant to be before we leave, so be it.” I said as I leaned on her shoulder, my voice steady.
In the end, it was always your family that was closest to you.
I had nothing with Neil anymore, not even a kid. How could I even compare with Karina?
My mom heaved a deep sigh. “Alright, I’ll take your advice. When your father gets back, I’ll start dealing with company matters. There are plenty of good guys out there, even if you don’t pick Russel, you can find someone who brings you peace and joy, not someone like Neil who always leaves you worried sick. You’re just torturing yourself by sticking around.”
My mom hit the nail on the head. I had been thinking the same thing.
I should muster up the courage to end the relationship that had been weighing me down, or else I would be stuck in this messy love triangle and end up scarred and battered.
