Chapter 23
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Chapter 23
The representative of the international team was totally dumbfounded. After all, Voyage Group could boost its sales and make a fortune with a bit of advertising spending. Though he didn’t say it out loud, his tone suggested that she was insane to turn down their offer.
After hanging up, Phalicia thought self–mockingly, “I must be insane indeed–all that effort I poured into benefiting Voyage Group!
“But it’s fine. The sacrifices I’ve made for the group, the wealth I’ve generated for Caleb, and the titles I’ve secured for Carlene–I’ll take everything back.”
Soon, she stopped her car outside the iron gates.
Looking up, she saw the words above the entrance–Sarodom Prison.
She subconsciously clutched the steering wheel tightly.
Shelton grew up with nothing to worry about. Yet, because of her, he went from the once–gilded heir to a prisoner overnight.
He had told her repeatedly that he didn’t regret protecting her, but she knew he had never truly come to terms with being locked up.
Unwilling to face the harsh reality of his ruined life, he had asked her to
visit him less.
Understanding his feelings all too well, she had complied.
But now, she had to see him.
In the visiting room.
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Phalicia sat quietly at the table, her palms already damp with sweat.
Footsteps echoed from outside.
The door swung open, and a staff member ushered someone in.
“You’ve got 30 minutes. No physical contact. No loud talking.”
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At those words, Phalicia looked up and saw her brother, whom she hadn’t seen in over half a year.
Shelton was in handcuffs and a prison uniform. His once sharp and handsome face now bore a few faint scars.
He was no longer the confident rich boy in his spotless white shirt. Three years behind bars had long stripped away the elegance and scholarly air that once defined him.
Phalicia’s eyes welled up, and she clenched her fists, calling out softly,
“Shelton.”
Shelton smiled and walked over to sit across from her. He reached out, then hesitated, tucking his swollen, cuffed hands under the table.
“It’s not a holiday or anything. Why’d you suddenly come to see me? Is something up with Mom and Dad?”
Phalicia shook her head. “What happened to your face? And your hands?
Let me see.”
Shelton was taken aback, leaning back slightly. “My hands are fine. The scars on my face are from a fall. Don’t worry.”
“I don’t believe it! Show me your hands!” Phalicia gripped the edge of the table, on the verge of tears.
Shelton pursed his lips and slowly lifted his hands.
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Phalicia’s breath caught.
His hands were swollen and covered in bruises, every knuckle scraped and scabbed over.
She bit her lip, and tears burst forth as she asked in a quivering voice, “They hit you, didn’t they?”
Shelton couldn’t bear to see her cry and reached out right away.
Phalicia leaned in
The guard behind them snapped, “No physical contact!”
Phalicia froze, staring at the hand so close she could feel the warmth from
- it.
But she couldn’t get any closer. She retreated to her seat, tears streaming down as she looked at Shelton.
The prison was a den of all kinds of people.
They seemed to follow the rules during the day, but no one knew what could happen after lights–out.
Shelton had always been physically weak. He was into literature as a kid, and then got into business later. He’d never get involved in fights or violence.
If it hadn’t been for her… If he hadn’t done it for her…
Phalicia’s hands were shaking.
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