From inside, Shawn's amused voice drifted. "Jack, Helena is out of prison today. Are you really planning to hold the postponed wedding next month? If you hadn't forged the evidence and sent her away three years ago, she'd be Professor Hamilton's prized student by now—her future would've been limitless."
"A reformed convict? What future could she possibly have?" Jackson's voice was cold, emotionless.
"The promise to marry her after she got out was nothing more than a lie to comfort her—a way to make her go to prison willingly and clear the path for Laica."
Helena froze as if struck by lightning. The words landed like knives, each one slicing her open.
"You're indeed ruthless," Shawn said, almost admiringly. "You stole her research and handed it to Laica. You even told the prison guards to break her leg."
"Now she's a cripple and a criminal—she'll never be able to compete with Laica again." Shawn clicked his tongue with relish.
Helena's mind went blank, her world collapsing in an instant.
Forged evidence? Broke her leg?
All of that... was Jackson's doing?