Chapter309Only Accidents, No Sorrow
She dared to go after Teresa—she must be out of her mind!
If Teresa suffered any unintended consequences, Lauren's life wouldn't be worth a damn.
"Yes, Liam," Thomas confirmed and immediately went to take care of the situation.
Compelled as if by an inner demon, Liam quickened his pace, taking the stairs three at a time, with Diana trailing him, struggling to keep up even at a run.
Reaching the rooftop, Liam looked up and immediately caught sight of Lauren standing perilously close to the unprotected edge.
Normally, the door to the rooftop was locked.
How had Lauren gained easy access to the Evans Group office building and found her way to the rooftop, with the door wide open, no less?
She stood on the most perilous part of the parapet, wearing a plain white dress and matching cardigan. Her pale, bloodless face and messy hair gave her an eerie, ghostly appearance.
"Lauren!" Liam shouted abruptly, his voice booming across the skyline.
Lauren turned toward the sound as a flicker of light gathered in her otherwise dull and lifeless eyes, slowly focusing on where the voice came from.
Diana arrived shortly after, her brow furrowing instantly at the sight of Lauren.
She couldn't grasp why a young woman with so much ahead of her would choose such a self-destructive path, disregarding all other viable options for this dead end.
"Liam, you're finally here." Lauren attempted to smile at Liam, and her voice was soft but devoid of its former cheer and vivacity.
"What are you doing? Get down from there!" Liam demanded indignantly, squinting at her as he moved closer.
Lauren looked at him, her smile feeble and filled with despair, and swiftly shook her head. "Why did you abandon me, Liam? Is it because my parents went to prison? Am I an embarrassment to you?"
Even in the face of death, Lauren wanted to hear the truth from Liam.
"Lauren, whatever you have to say, come down and talk," Liam commanded in a deep tone, edging closer again.
Lauren shook her head in refusal. "Don't come any closer, Liam! If you do, I'll jump."
"Are you out of your mind, Lauren?" Liam halted, his anger uncontrollable. "Once you jump, there's no coming back. Do you understand that?"
From over three hundred feet above the ground, a jump would surely be fatal for Lauren, cushioned fall or not.
"I know," Lauren said, a faint light in her eyes flickering out, overshadowed by an overwhelming sense of despair. With a hollow laugh, she admitted, "Liam, I've killed someone. I murdered Teresa. There's no way out for me now."
"You killed Teresa?!"
Behind Liam, Diana gasped in shock, her eyes widened in disbelief.
"It was Lauren who killed Teresa?!"
Oh my God!
The moment the realization hit her, Diana trembled all over, not caring about anything else.
She spun around and dashed back toward the staircase leading down from the rooftop.
"Dammit, Lauren!"
Squinting at Lauren, Liam growled uncontrollably at the thought of losing Teresa, his eyes suddenly bloodshot with rage.
Lauren watched Liam, saw the pain and anger on his face, saw his eyes flush crimson in a blink, and then she smiled.
As expected, Liam didn't love her. His heart belonged to Teresa.
He was willing to sleep with her to show her pity, all because she bore a slight resemblance to Teresa.
And the only reason he'd pick her up at school was to get under Teresa's skin, to make Teresa jealous.
As she laughed, tears started to stream down Lauren's cheeks. She looked at Liam and murmured, “Liam, am I really so inferior to Teresa?”
At that moment, Thomas, accompanied by the head of security and their team, rushed to the scene. Yet, without Liam's command, they didn’t dare make a move.
"What the hell are you talking about, Lauren!" Liam bellowed, taking two steps forward, "Teresa is Teresa, you're you. The reason we broke up is that I didn’t want to hurt Faith."
"Why do you care for Faith and not me?" Suddenly, Lauren's voice also erupted with anger. Standing on the edge of the rooftop barrier, she seemed on the verge of toppling over, as if a gentle breeze could send her hurtling down.
"I do care about you. Why else would I sleep with you, let you move into the Willow Heights villa?" In such a moment, Liam had to calm down. He had to compromise and soothe Lauren. He took another two steps forward and stretched out his hand, "Be a good girl, come down first. Let’s talk this through! Remember, I always loved how sweet and obedient you are."
"No, don't come any closer!" Lauren shook her head, yelling through her tears, "You don't care about me at all. You never did. You’re so heartless, pushing me to the edge. How could you possibly care?"
"No, Lauren, be good, don’t do this,” Liam said, reaching out slowly, continuing toward her, “Come down first, and let me explain...”
"No, don't come any closer, or I’ll... Ah!"
"Lauren!"
As Lauren shook her head, trying to stop Liam, she lost her footing in panic. With a scream, she fell from the rooftop.
Liam's cry rang out as he lunged forward.
But it was too late.
His hand reached out but found only cold air as he hit the barrier. Below, Lauren fell, and moments later, a faint 'thump' brought clarity. On the ground, a blossom of red unfurled.
Thomas and the security manager charged forward with their team, only to find Lauren splayed on the ground, eyes wide open, her body shattered beyond recognition.
"Lockdown. No one leaks a word. Anyone at Evans Group who talks gets fired on the spot." Liam’s voice was heavy as he shut his eyes, issuing the command.
He felt an oppressive weight bearing down on him, his entire being consumed by gravity.
