"Let me tell you, Evelyn!" Madison shouted. "I don't care if you're some fashion queen. Here, you'll have to obey me!"

"Yeah!" an inmate shouted.

Another chimed in, "What are you pretending to be all high and mighty for? Hurry up and apologize to Maddie!"

A third added, "Exactly. Didn't get enough of a beating yesterday? Do you have a death wish?"

The surrounding inmates egged each other on. Everyone was eager to join the fray.

! clenched my fists tightly and suppressed my anger. I couldn't afford to lose control now. Not now. Not here.

Just as the tension reached its peak, a prison guard rushed over and pushed through the crowd to stand before me.

"Evelyn, someone from the court is here. Come with me, now!" Without waiting for my response, he grabbed my arm and began tugging me away.

Madison's furious roar echoed, "Trying to run away? You think you can run?"

I didn't look back and let the guard drag me along. I raced toward the gate. Finally, the bars that had confined me for two long years had been lifted.

As I stepped out of the prison, tears streamed down my face. I was finally free. The sunlight was dazzling. The breeze was gentle. Even my tears felt warm.

I took a deep breath of the fresh air outside and felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I looked around and noticed a black car waiting nearby.

The window slowly rolled down, and there he was the person I had longed for day and night. His eyes glistened with tears as he reached out toward me.

"Darling, I'm here to take you home," Ethan said. His voice was hoarse, and tears were flowing down his cheeks. Overcome with emotion, I reached out to hold his hand. As I looked closer, I froze.

The person in the car wasn't Ethan. It was Kevin and Lianne. Hadn't Vivian already been sent to prison? Why wasn't Ethan here to pick me up? What on earth was going on?

"Evelyn, it's us! Hurry, get in the car!" Kevin leaned out of the window and waved at me.

I hesitated. Disappointment flooded my chest. I had thought Ethan would be here himself.

"Evelyn, stop spacing out! Come on, get in-we're taking you to buy some new clothes!" Lianned called out with a bright smile.

I had no choice but to force a faint smile and get into the car. "Where's Ethan? Why didn't he come?" I couldn't help but voice my doubt.

Kevin and Lianne exchanged a glance. There seemed to be a hint of awkwardness in the air. "Uh.. We'll talk about that later. Let's get you some proper clothes first." Lianne quickly changed the subject.noveldrama

As the car sped down the road, I gazed out the window at the scenery outside. Everything felt surreal, like I had stepped into another world.

The sun shone brightly, birds chirped

and flowers bloomed. Pedestrians

could be heard laughing and

chatting g. The atmosphere was peaceful. It was a stark contrast to the dark, damp environment of the prison.

"We're here! Let's get out!" Kevin parked the car and pointed at the shopping mall ahead.

"This is the largest, most luxurious mall in the city. You'll be spoiled for choice."

Before I could respond, Kevin and Lianne eagerly tugged me out of the car. What greeted me was a magnificent building. The entire exterior was covered in glass panels that gleamed under the sun.

"Hurry up! Stop dawdling!" Lianne grabbed my arm, literally dragging me into the mall.

The interior was even more

extravagant. Marble floors shone immaculately, and a grand spiral

staircase stretched all the way to the

top floor.

"Which store should we start with?" Kevin asked.

I looked around and my gaze landed on a familiar fashion boutique. It was a Saslax store-the same place I used to shop at years ago.

Memories came rushing back, and a pang of pain gripped my heart. "Let's go there," I said, trying to control my emotions.