When Hattie was sentenced to two years, many felt it was a lenient sentence. How could intentionally injuring someone only result in a two-year sentence?
“Miss Mason, is the online recording true? Did Fiona really poison you to kill the child in your belly, and did your relationship with Harry start like this a long time ago?”
“What was the reason you stabbed Mr. Stewart 29 times back then? Did you truly want to kill him?”
“Can you detail how you spent those two years in prison?”
“Since you knew Mr. Stewart and Miss Fiona were getting married, why did you still get pregnant with Mr. Stewart’s child? Isn’t that inserting yourself as a third party in their relationship?”
Hattie gripped the wheelchair handles tightly, facing so many people, cameras, and flashes, she felt no fear.
Opening her mouth, Hattie’s voice came out like that of an old man on the verge of twilight: “I’ve called you all here today to answer these questions one by one.”
As she spoke, the reporters on scene immediately fell silent, raising their microphones towards her to await her response.
“The online reports about what happened between Harry, Fiona, and me are all true…” Hattie’s voice was hoarse, calm and concise as she explained the events of the past few years. She played several recordings of her and Harry, shocking those present.
“I thought I could rid myself of Harry during these two years in prison, but not only did I fail to do so, I lost everything. Shortly after I miscarried the child, my uterus was also removed. The criminal was taken to the police station but was subsequently bailed out by Harry.”
Her words, combined with the recordings, made those in attendance mostly believe her. It was expected that Fiona would be bailed out by Harry, but perhaps today she wouldn’t be able to bring those who harmed her to justice. However, tarnishing their reputations, shedding a layer of skin, was still within reach.
Reputation is vital for a company, and Harry and Fiona’s wedding plans had to be completely scrapped.
Yet, it wasn’t enough to make them believe; she needed their sympathy, their anger.
Hattie made full use of their empathy. “When I was sentenced, many said that two years would pass by quickly, a light sentence. But only those who truly enter understand that every day felt like a year.” Slowly rising from the wheelchair, the blanket that had covered her slid off. Turning slowly, she saw a man standing not far behind her.
As he rushed towards her, she didn’t hesitate to remove her coat, revealing the wounds on her back to the cameras behind her.
“Hattie-” Harry rushed over to stop her, but it was too late.
Hattie gave him a smile, but the icy expression barely reached her eyes, covered in a layer of frost.
The contrasting scars on her body and her face were stark. Even a stranger would feel pity at the sight of such wounds. At that moment, everyone was struck dumb, frozen by Hattie’s presence.
The reporters quickly caught on, snapping photos of the scars. Hattie heard the camera’s clicks as she closed her coat, remaining silent as she looked at Harry, who had caught up.
“Harry, are you satisfied now?”
Satisfied? Is this how she sought the world’s sympathy, proving herself in this manner?
“Miss Mason, are these the wounds you suffered during your two years in prison?”
“Not just these. I also lost a finger in prison, miscarried, and my legs are covered in scars. The doctor said that these wounds would never heal in this lifetime.” Hattie’s tone was calm, devoid of any emotion. It was as though the person enduring the torment of two years in prison wasn’t her.
How could two years in prison turn into this? Those present and those watching online were now silent. This was what they considered an easy two years in prison, thinking Hattie would breeze through it. Little did they know the despair of a place where there was no light.
Once the daughter of a former mayor, initially Harry’s young fiancée, she ended up as Harry’s lover due to family matters, enduring nearly ten years of humiliation.
No one willingly displays the wounds in their heart. Yet Hattie, today, willingly showcased her scars as entertainment for all to see.
Harry’s heart ached. He knew he couldn’t stop Hattie when she descended the stairs, the distance between them growing. She was right there, within reach, yet his feet seemed shackled, unable to take those few steps.
He reached out as if a cold wind passed through his fingertips. He clenched his fingers at nothing.
Seeing Harry emerge, the reporters began focusing their questions on him.
The most pressing question was whether Hattie was inserted as a third party between him and Fiona, whether her actions were retaliation against them or a play for public sympathy.
At this moment, everyone was pressuring Harry to make a choice. As Hattie buttoned up her last button, she raised an eyebrow at Harry.
Harry, whom will you choose this time?
Harry stood in place for a long time, then walked over to stand in front of Hattie: “Yes, all this time I forced Hattie, and Fiona did indeed poison her leading to the miscarriage. The child in Hattie’s belly was conceived under my coercion. She never interfered with my and Fiona’s relationship. Even the removal of her uterus was my doing.”
Harry admitted to everything, and as he spoke, not a sound was made. All eyes were on him, the only noise being the camera’s clicks. In those few seconds after he finished speaking, it felt like the air had frozen.
Everyone felt as though a lump was stuck in their throats. The criminal they thought was a victim, and the victim was the criminal. Such a dramatic turn of events happening on this day.
What had they done all these years? They had cursed Hattie to die, called her a murderer, a harlot. It took her to the brink of desperation to reveal herself in such an extreme manner.
Harry admitted to his actions, as well as Hattie’s injuries in prison being connected to him.
The bodyguards Harry had summoned, along with hospital security, pushed the onlookers and media out.
“Hattie, is this enough now? Are you ready to come back with me?”
Hattie shook her head. “It’s not about enough, Harry. This is what you deserve. Don’t act like you’ve been wronged so greatly.”