The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1728

Shirley stared at her hands, slick and dripping with fresh blood. Her legs shook as she tried to stand, clinging to whatever strength she had left. She wanted to call for help, but before she could move, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the pit.

Her heart jumped in her chest as a tall, unmistakably familiar figure appeared out of nowhere. Rain and sweat streaked across her face, messy strands of hair clinging to her eyes. She couldn’t make out who it was at first, everything blurry.

Is that…

“Andrew?” Her whole body went stiff. She forced a broken, shaky sound from her lips, barely more than a whisper.

“Shirley?” Andrew spotted her instantly, calling out to the others before hurrying toward her. “Shirley!”

“Andrew...” She stumbled forward, crashing into his arms and hooking her trembling hands behind his neck, holding on as if her life depended on it. She tried to speak, but no words would come, only silent sobs and tears streaming down her cheeks.

Andrew glanced at the man lying on the ground, then inspected Shirley, his hands gentle, searching for wounds. When he realized she wasn’t hurt, he finally exhaled, voice rough. “What happened?”

“I don’t know... I don’t know...” Shirley buried her face into his chest, fists clutching his shirt tight, refusing to let go. Her voice broke as she confessed, “Andrew, I killed someone. He’s dead. Are the police even going to believe I acted in self-defense?”

“They will. I promise. Don’t be scared.” Andrew’s jaw clenched as he looked back at the man on the floor. He understood everything at a glance, hatred flashing in his eyes.

At that moment, Charlotte and Anthony rushed inside. Their faces were tense until they saw Shirley and realized she was okay. Relief softened their features.

“Charlotte...” Shirley raised her head slowly, her whole face twisted in fear as her gaze landed on Charlotte. Her voice quivered. “I didn’t mean to do it. He tried to hurt me. I swear, I never meant to kill him.”

Charlotte stepped forward and crouched beside the man, checking his breathing, her expression turning cold. “Call the police and get him to the hospital,” she ordered.

“Got it.” Hans quickly gathered some men to lift the man out of the pit.

“Let’s go.” Anthony reached for Charlotte’s hand, gently guiding her past the rubble, making sure she didn’t get hurt.

They had barely walked a few steps when Charlotte suddenly lifted her head, eyes bright and clear, fixing on Anthony’s face. The air around her felt charged, heavy with tension. “If what happened to Shirley is tied to the Blair family...”

Anthony bent down and pressed an affectionate kiss to her forehead, his tone serious and solid. “If you think Dorothy is behind this, do whatever you have to. Like I’ve told you before, no matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you. When you’re with me, you never need to be afraid of anything.”