The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 140

As Cordelia picked up her phone, she was baffled to see Arabella’s name flash on the screen. A surge of anger welled within her, but she answered the call anyway.

Arabella’s sobbing voice filled the air around the phone. “Dad! You need to come and save me! I’ve been locked up…”

“What? Are you trying to set your dad up again using the same old trick?” Cordelia interrupted her as a bitter laugh escaped her lips.

Arabella seemed taken aback on the other end of the line. “Mom…”

“Don’t call me mom. I can’t bear the weight of it.” Cordelia retorted coldly. “Your dad is still bedridden due to your antics. What are you scheming this time?”

“No, mom, it’s different now. I’m really in trouble.” Arabella’s voice was filled with desperation, and her breath was heavy as if she were on the run.

But Cordelia was not about to be fooled again. Even if she believed Arabella, she wouldn’t bother to help. Her heart was already battered and bruised.

Cordelia cut Arabella off in a stern tone. “Arabella, the biggest regret your dad and I have in this life is adopting you. Now that we’ve severed ties, please stop bothering us.”

With that, she ended the call with a harsh click and followed Michael’s lead by switching off Dorian’s phone.

Even turning off Dorian’s phone wasn’t enough. She turned off her own too.

The mere thought of Arabella made her sick.

East District.

Arabella wasn’t lying to Beatrice. She had been trying to contact the mysterious man since that day.

Unfortunately, as soon as their plot to frame Dorian was exposed, that man and his gang disappeared without a trace.

Left with no other choice, she had to track Elijah’s lawyer in an attempt to find him.

She believed if the man had gone to the lengths of hiring a lawyer for Elijah, he wouldn’t abandon him. He must still be in touch with the lawyer.

But to her dismay, she lost track of Elijah’s lawyer upon reaching the East District.

It was already late, but she thought about how those people had been hiding in the most chaotic part of the East District, Urban Village. So she decided to try her luck.

Little did she expect to be targeted by three thugs not long after she entered Urban Village.

They stalked her to a secluded grove, where they began to make their move.

pretty little thing like you to such a

heard another one say, “What else could it be? She’s probably

grab her. “Well then, we’ll keep

lost!’ Arabella shrieked,

ungrateful wench! You’ll regret it!” One of

woods, dialing 911 as

you please provide your exact location?”

behind her and saw that the men were gaining on her.

one are you near, and in which

Village. I don’t know which grove I’m in!” Arabella was unfamiliar with the East District, let alone the numerous groves.

Let’s finish her off!” One

Another one sneered. “Let’s have our fun, then sell her.

Arabella heard, the colder her heart felt. She sped up, but the path ahead was pitch black. She had no idea

large houses enclosed by tall walls ahead. It looked like a hospital. The small door at the bottom left of

the thugs kicked the

didn’t try to climb over the gate

startled

chubby man in hospital attire

her She quickly backed away and ran into the

fat

chubby man found her reem quickly calling out for his bande’ while lifting up

Someone snapped on the lights, and another

patient, awoken

began to wail

stayed still under the bed, baffled at the lack of staff intervention in this bizarre

bride! The fat man’s voice grew

of the patients suggested, “Did you check under

her chest. The next second, the fat man’s

a piercing scream, attempting to back away, but was caught off guard by another man on her other side. He dragged her out into the

Using the dim light provided, she managed to make

four other men

had a crooked eye and a twisted

menacing

was constantly muttering gibberish under

was carved out of wood. He sneered at her. “Looks like a tasty

intervened. “No, no way; she’s my gal! You can’t

her!”

waste it would be to devour her

Under the glaring light, she could clearly see the words “N&S Psychiatric Hospital” on their hospital

Chapter

at her. She quickly backed away

house.