The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In

She Took 871 Summary

Artemis and Manny face an unchangeable test result that threatens their safety. As they wait anxiously, Artemis reflects on Dale’s ruthless nature, which had once targeted two women and their children. She had once felt proud to be loved and protected by Dale, the powerful man of Redwood, but now fears that his cruelty will turn on her once the test confirms Manny is not his son.

Artemis is overwhelmed by fear and panic, recalling a chilling moment from years ago when she overheard Dale ordering the killing of Tessa’s mother. That memory reveals the cold, ruthless side of Dale she had never seen before. She worries that Dale’s anger at betrayal will lead to dire consequences for her and Manny, especially since Dale insists they stay until the test results are revealed.

Dan, seemingly amused by their distress, taunts them with cigarettes and comments that suggest he is confident about the outcome. He reveals that fifteen pairs of eyes are overseeing the test, making tampering impossible. This implies that Dan himself might be Dale’s real son, further complicating the situation and intensifying Artemis’s fear and hatred toward Dan.

Artemis tries to shift attention by asking why Tessa isn’t involved, but Dan points out that Tessa resembles the Morris family the most, deepening Artemis’s sense of isolation and despair. She bitterly regrets not having killed Dan when she first learned he wasn’t her son, blaming herself for allowing him to live and bring ruin upon her.

As the tension rises, Artemis’s hope to escape Black Mountain alive grows faint, and she vows to confront Dan if she survives. The chapter ends with Artemis trapped in fear and uncertainty, haunted by past mistakes and the looming threat of Dale’s unforgiving wrath.

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r 871 The Test Result

For Artemis and Manny, the test result couldn’t be changed.

But before the report came out–if they didn’t leave right this second–would they even be able to get out

of here alive?

After all these years, Dale’s ruthlessness had finally turned on her.

Back then, her cruelty had only been directed toward those two women and their children.

Back then, she’d loved the feeling of being the one Dale treated like his whole world.

She really had been proud then–being adored, protected, and loved by the most powerful man in Redwood.

But now…

She knew all too well what was coming.

Once the result confirmed Manny wasn’t his son, everything Dale had ever done to those two women would come back around–and land squarely on her.

Just the thought of it made Artemis’s heart race with fear.

“After all these years, do you really not care at all?” she asked weakly.

Dan exhaled smoke and said flatly, “This really isn’t the time to talk about feelings, is it?”

“Shut up! Don’t say another word!” Artemis broke down completely.

The thought that Dale might treat her the same way he’d treated those women made her panic.

unchanging look in Dale’s eyes that day, he… he really could

that moment years ago–standing outside his study,

talking

outside the door that day. It was the first

he was with her, he was always gentle. He never let her see that part

now, that memory came rushing

seemed calm and

nothing enraged a man like him more than

that moment, Artemis completely

1/2

The Test

planned to leave quietly, acting as if she

hadn’t expected Dale

and Manny

Finished

mind, she couldn’t help but wonder–when the

Dan leaned back in his chair, clearly

cigarette, he tossed the pack to

him a cold

like that. Trust

he were certain of what

body radiated an

hatred, and Manny looked like he

you’d just shut up, no one would think you’re

keep quiet, it won’t

of eyes,” both Artemis and Manny wished they could

believe he’d thought of

suggesting that everyone send their own representatives to oversee the test, he had made it impossible for any

dared to propose that,

Dale’s

he was the real one, he wanted to

realization made Artemis’s chest tighten

Tessa come to do it?” She blurted, desperate to redirect

Tessa made

much like his own–flashed

at Artemis, his gaze colder

seen Tessa knows he’s definitely part of the Morris family.” He glanced at Dale and added, “Those eyes are identical.

Only Tessa?

212

have said outright, None of your

heart sank like a