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Chapter_223
Zachary’s steps faltered as he spotted Winona, unconscious and dramatically lying on the stretcher. The sharp, unmistakable features of the woman who had once been part of his life had not changed, but the circumstances were so different now. His heart skipped a beat, a mix of disbelief and confusion flooding him.
“Winona?” he murmured under his breath, as if trying to confirm the impossible sight before him. He had heard bits and pieces about the chaos at Skyline Plaza, but seeing her there, in such a state, was something else entirely.
The old butler, Lucas, who had been busy preparing Zachary’s meal, noticed his master’s hesitation and followed his gaze. “Sir, is something wrong?”
Zachary didn’t answer right away. His mind raced as he remembered the time he had spent serving the Chambers family. Winona had always been a difficult woman to deal with, but seeing her now, possibly injured or playing her usual games, left him unsure of how to proceed.
Before he could make a decision, Winona’s dramatic groans cut through his thoughts. “No… please… don’t let them do this to me…” Her voice was faint, but it was enough to confirm that she was faking, putting on yet another show to gain sympathy and control.
Zachary felt a pit form in his stomach. Not again. Does she never change?
The paramedics seemed to buy into her act for a moment, fussing around her with concern, but Zachary could see right through it. He knew Winona all too well. She had played the victim card countless times over the years. But now, it seemed her actions had finally caught up with her.
As they wheeled her toward the hospital’s emergency room, Zachary’s thoughts began to cloud. Was she really hurt, or was she just trying to manipulate the situation further? And more importantly, how much had she involved others in this mess? He couldn’t help but think about Yvette and how calm she had seemed during the whole ordeal. Yvette Zeller, no stranger to power and control, had managed to remain a step ahead of everyone, including the police.
Zachary’s grip tightened around the tray Lucas had been holding, his mind trying to piece together the puzzle.
“Lucas,” he finally spoke, his voice low but firm. “Find out what’s going on. I need to know everything about Winona. I have a feeling this isn’t over yet.”
Lucas gave a curt nod, his sharp eyes glinting with understanding. “Understood, sir.”
Meanwhile, at the police station, Zane was still trying to wrap his head around what had just transpired. Yvette’s nonchalant demeanor had thrown him off balance, but Winona’s dramatic fainting act had thrown a new wrench into everything. How was he supposed to navigate this?
He sat in his office, his fingers lightly tapping against the desk, as he replayed the events in his mind. Yvette hadn’t acted like a typical criminal; her confidence was unnerving, and her calmness in the face of everything told him there was more to her than met the eye.
Zane’s phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. He picked it up, recognizing the name immediately. It was Lucas, Zachary’s right-hand man.
“Zane, you need to come down here. We’ve got some updates on Winona,” Lucas’s voice was curt, but there was an underlying urgency in it.
Zane stood up abruptly. “I’m on my way.”
Back at Skyline Plaza, Winona’s act was beginning to unravel. She had been placed in a hospital room, her “injuries” being examined, though her face remained the picture of distress. The attending doctor gave her a doubtful glance, but Winona was quick to turn on the charm.
“I don’t know what happened. I was just shopping, and then this woman… she threatened my life! My baby’s life!” Her eyes darted around as she looked for anyone who might be listening, ready to pull her victim card yet again.
But the doctor, having seen enough over the years, remained unmoved. “You’re lucky there’s nothing major wrong, Miss Chambers. But if you continue to fabricate injuries, it could work against you.”
Winona faltered at the doctor’s words, but quickly recovered, putting on her most pitiful expression. “I’m just so scared… What if she comes after me again? What if she comes after my child?”
As the doctor left to file the paperwork, Winona’s mind raced. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t been able to manipulate the situation more effectively. She had planned to use her pregnancy as a shield, but it seemed as though people were finally starting to see through her schemes.
She had to come up with a new plan, and fast.
Zachary stood in the hospital corridor, his eyes narrowing as he listened to Lucas’s report. He was certain that Winona wasn’t truly hurt, but the idea that she might be using the situation to her advantage still gnawed at him. If she was trying to frame Yvette, then the whole thing was much bigger than he had anticipated.
“I’ll handle this personally,” Zachary finally said, turning toward the elevator. “If Winona’s involved in any way, we need to make sure she can’t get away with it.”
