Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 86

Later that afternoon, Emma entered the cold, dark prison, her heart racing in her chest. The weight of her mission weighed heavy upon her, but she made herself stay composed. She had to do this-for Ethan, for the innocent children who had lost. their lives, and for the devastated families still grieving. Her hands fisted as the iron door squealed open, clattering open to reveal a shackled Adam Hershel being ushered in. He did not wear the immaculate suit now but a shredded prison uniform: the lines of wear and defeat colored his face. He sat down heavily across from her, dull eyes challenging her as he met her gaze. "I think I told you last time, growled Adam hoarsely, his voice unstable. "It was an accident. Nothing more.

you know it Emma's lips quivered, but she steeled herself. "Accident or not, you're hiding something. Adam. I know it, and There's more to this story than you're letting on." Her voice emerged in a raw quaver. "I need the truth, not just for my son. but for those who lost their children that day.

Adam snorted, leaning back in his chair, stretching the chains binding him. "You're wasting your breath, pal. I've said what I had to say, and now that's it-leave it alone."

Emma didn't back off. Reaching in her bag, she pulled out two photographs of the two young children that had recently succumbed to their injuries due to the fall of the daycare, slapping them onto the table and sliding them to him, with trembling hands. Her voice had trembled and was laden with grief at this moment while her eyes welled over.

Look at them, Adam. Look at them!" Her voice rose and raw pain spilled out. "These two babies didn't get to celebrate their next birthdays. Their parents will never see their smiles anymore, never hear their laughter. They're gone because of what happened. And their innocent souls deserve justice.

Adam hesitated; his eyes flickered towards the photographs and away. "What is it you want from me?" he growled in his

bitterness.

I want the truth, Emma pressed, leaning forward. "You and I both know you're not the mastermind behind this. Someone else is pulling the strings-someone who's out there living freely while you rot in here, taking the fall for their crime. Why? Why are you protecting them?"

Adam's jaw clenched, but he said nothing, his eyes fixed on the far corner of the room.

the money in the world, hire the best lawyer in the world-somebody who can get you out of this. You don't deserve to carry this burden alone. Think of those families, those grieving

face cool but with something flickering in its depths-guilt, pain, regret? For a moment, there was silence between

him...

her tears streaming down her face now. "You don't have to go through this all alone, Adam, I'll stand with you if only you come clean with the truth. Those

waver, but then he clenched his jaw and

up. She leaned across the table, her trembling hand inches from his. "You can still

said, slumping back in his chair, narrowing further as he regarded the woman opposite. He wanted to know who he was dealing with before saying another word. Emma sat a little straighter in her chair and looked him dead in the

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Chapter 86

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like a stroke of thunder in that silent room. Adam's breath caught in his throat, and his eyes widened. He must have heard wrong, surely it couldn't be that Emma

to have come from nowhere, claiming she was a CEO of W2

powers and resources beyond his wildest imagination. Adam's instincts of survival kicked in; he fisted his hands under the table. He couldn't trust her-no matter how poised she seemed-because she belonged to the elite, a world full of lies and hazard. Rich people like her didn't amass their fortune without stepping on others. He was certain of it. Emma Black wasn't

he declared boisterously, his voice raised and defensive. He glanced around him as though the walls were going to close in on

Adam," Emma cried, her quivering voice rising as she, too rose to

wait!"

to look at her. "No," he snapped, the hardness in his voice final.