Chapter 499 "I didn't." Victoria could tell by McNeil's tone that he wasn't joking.
She immediately ended the call and turned to the teacher. "Excuse me, who picked Gwyn up?" If it wasn't McNeil, then who else could it be? "It was her aunt, I think. The one who used to cwith Mr. Langford to pick her up. Gwyn seemed happy to see her." Victoria froze. Gwyneth's aunt? There was no one else but Violet.
But Violet was supposed to be in prison.
Before she could call McNeil again, her phone rang-he was already calling her back.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I'm on my way to find Gwyn. I just got word from the warden: Violet seduced the prison director and wrangled a three-day leave. It's probably her who took Gwyn." The world swam before Victoria's eyes. She nearly fainted and would have collapsed if someone hadn't caught her.
"Gwyn's mom, are you okay?" The teacher's worried face swam into focus.
Victoria forced a smile, quickly asked for more details, then rushed out the door.
Gwyneth sat in the car, peering up at Violet with shining eyes. It had been so long since she'd seen her aunt, and she couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
But Violet didn't look the least bit happy.
"Ms. Marchand, where are we going?" Gwyneth asked, curious. "Are we going to your house?" She was still full of hopeful excitement, but when Violet heard the word "house," her expression changed sharply. "I don't have a house anymore." Her gaze darkened, turning almost vicious. "Your mother's the reason for all of this." Gwyneth's memories of Violet were stuck in the past, when Violet would use her to curry favor with McNeil. She didn't notice the poisonous resentment in Violet's voice, or how that hatred was now being directed at her.
"Did Mommy get into another fight with Daddy because of you? But they're divorced now, and Mommy doesn't even talk to Daddy anymore. My little brother and sister and all live with Mommy. Violet, do you live with Daddy now?" The more innocently Gwyneth asked, the more Violet felt mocked.
"As if I'd ever live with your father. Your mother sure is talented, isn't she?" Violet pulled the car up to a deserted, abandoned warehouse. Gwyneth climbed out, confused. Why had Violet brought her here? "Violet, where are we?" She looked around nervously, a chill creeping up her spine. She'd thought Violet was taking her somewhere fun- or maybe to see her dad.
"Enough talking. You'll see your mother soon. Just say what I tell you to say, understand?" Violet's gentle act was gone. Her voice was cold and sharp in a way Gwyneth had never heard before.
Gwyneth was stunned. Was this really the sViolet she'd always known? Violet didn't care. She shoved Gwyneth roughly. "Inside. Move it!" Gwyneth balked. "I don't want to! I want to go home!"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmTears ran down her cheeks. The place was filthy, chaotis and reeked of mold She Wanted nothing more than to run away. Violet's patience snapped. She slapped Gwyneth, hard, across the face.
"Shut up! If you keep crying, I'll leave you here on your own!" Her wild, furious glare stunned Gwyneth into silence.
Violet whipped out her phone and dialed Victoria. When Victoria m answered, Violet's voice was cold with @riumph. "Victoria, how about you let your daughter talk to you?" She pressed the phone to Gwyneth's ear.
"Gwyn, sweetheart, don't be scared. Is there anything you want to tell Mommy?" "Mommy, I want to go home." Gwyneth's voice trembled. She just wanted to get away, to be with her mom.
Victoria barely had tto respond before the phone was snatched away.
"Victoria, I know exactly how I ended up in there. If you're so capable, why don't you figure out a way to getout? Otherwise, you can say goodbye to ever seeing your daughter again."