?<strong>Chapter 340:</strong>


    As Elyse learned that Morgan was alright, a lingering worry still clung to her. Gently, she brushed her hand against Morgan’s forehead, finding no trace of fever.


    Standing upright, concern etched in her voice, she suggested, “Perhaps we should call a doctor.”


    “No need. It’s an old affliction from a fall into a river some time back, and I’ve been struggling with my health since,” Morgan rose slowly, steadying herself with hands on her knees. “I’m feeling better now. Let’s go. I also want to eat cake.”


    Reluctantly, Elyse conceded, guiding Morgan towards the table of refreshments.


    In a sudden burst of shock and excitement, Tracy eximed, “Oh my! Look! Your sister has been arrested! What on earth is happening? It’s quite shocking!”


    Elyse, barely settled in her chair, nearly toppled over at the news. With a heavy heart, she inquired, “Is this true?”


    “Yes,” Tracy affirmed eagerly, thrusting the phone towards Elyse. “The police have issued a statement with numerous charges, primarily rted to drug use.”


    After uttering those words, Tracy seemed to snap back to reality and inquired with suspicion, “Have you or your parents noticed any unusual behavior from hertely?”


    Elyse took the phone, scanning its contents meticulously. “I’m not sure,” she replied after absorbing the details. Once she finished reading, she handed the phone back to Tracy.


    Elyse’s mind raced, recalling herst encounter with Mabel in the basement. How long had she been in police custody? Then a memory of Jayden’s cryptic words flickered in Elyse’s mind, stirring a suspicion that perhaps he had orchestrated this.


    Though her curiosity regarding Mabel’s arrest tugged at Elyse, an unexpected concern for Jayden surfaced. Would his involvement bring danger upon him from the Owen family? Or worse, could Lanny and Glenda resort to extreme measures to harm Jayden once they be aware of it?


    Taylor’s presence in the study at that moment deterred Elyse from rushing to see Jayden, despite her burning curiosity about whether it might spell trouble for him. She reluctantly suppressed her eagerness.


    In a sudden realization, Tracy asked, “By the way, do your parents know that Mabel has been detained by the police?”


    Taking a deep breath, Elyse shook her head faintly. “I don’t know either.”


    At the police station, Mabel stood d in the stark uniform of the detained, her countenance a turbulent mix of fury and bitterness. She traced her fingers along the cold metal frame of her bed, her voice trembling with sorrow. “Why am I arrested? Do you know who I am? I’m from the Lloyd family, and I’m Jayden Owen’s sister. Are you not afraid of upsetting him?”


    For over an hour, Mabel’s cries reverberated through the station, her frustration reaching a boiling point. Unable to tolerate it any longer, the policemanshed out at her, saying, “How could Mr. Owen have such a rtive as you? Don’t tter yourself.”


    Mabel’splexion drained of color, her voice trembling with urgency as she vehemently asserted her connection to Jayden. “I am Jayden Owen’s sister-inw. His wife is my elder sister. Release me this instant! Or prepare to face the consequences.”


    Deeming her assertions as delusional, the policeman shut the door, unwilling to entertain her further. Seeing this, Mabel’s panic surged. She clutched at the iron bars and yelled, “Don’t leave me here! Bring back the phone! I’ll call my sister. She will help me.”


    Despite her relentless cries, Mabel’s pleas echoed unanswered, intensifying her panic with each passing moment. She retreated to her iron bed, sinking onto its unforgiving surface. Seeking sce in a familiar habit, she nervously bit her nails, a futile attempt to quell the rising tide of fear and uncertainty.


    Confusion clouded her mind as she struggled to make sense of her situation. Recollections flooded her thoughts – falling asleep in the basement only to awaken to the presence of Glenda and Lanny by her side. Glenda had enveloped her in aforting embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks, while Lanny’s eyes betrayed the turmoil within, their redness speaking volumes of unspoken concern.


    Caught in the surreal haze of the moment, Mabel could hardly distinguish reality from a dream. Yet she had found sce in confiding her recent tribtions to Glenda, imploring her parents to seek vengeance on her behalf. Drained by the ordeal, she had sumbed to exhaustion, slipping into slumber. Time had eluded Mabel in her sleep until abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the police at her doorstep. Before she could fullyprehend the situation, she had found herself shackled, her senses reeling from the sudden turn of events.


    Fear gripped Mabel as confusion clouded her mind, unable to fathom the reason behind her arrest. Mabel resorted to biting her nails until they broke, the pain dulled by the overwhelming fear gripping her. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, “Mom, help me. I don’t belong here. I just want to go home.”


    Meanwhile, in the hall of the police station, Glenda sat with tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice choked with desperation. “Lanny, Mabel is your daughter. You must save her. If we don’t act now, her future will be ruined.”


    Lanny paced the floor with a heavy heart. “You’ve coddled her too much. With the police uncovering all these wrongdoings, saving her now seems impossible, even if I wished to.”


    Collecting herself, Glenda brushed away her tears. “You should seek help from Elyse. Her husband holds sway. He’ll surely find a solution.”


    Lanny halted his pacing, a bitter smile ying on his lips. “Begging Jayden? You’re truly naive. Haven’t you realized Jayden orchestrated everything in secrecy? He sent our daughter back, only for the police to swoop in shortly after. He’s avoiding getting his hands dirty.”


    Glenda’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Jayden? It’s impossible. He couldn’t possibly do such a thing.”


    .


    .


    .