Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 86

Chapter 86

Later that afternoon, Emma entered the cold, dark prison, her heart racing in her chest. The weight of her mission weighed heavy upon her, but she made herself stay composed. She had to do this-for Ethan, for the innocent children who had lost. their lives, and for the devastated families still grieving. Her hands fisted as the iron door squealed open, clattering open to reveal a shackled Adam Hershel being ushered in. He did not wear the immaculate suit now but a shredded prison uniform: the lines of wear and defeat colored his face. He sat down heavily across from her, dull eyes challenging her as he met her gaze. "I think I told you last time, growled Adam hoarsely, his voice unstable. "It was an accident. Nothing more.

you know it Emma's lips quivered, but she steeled herself. "Accident or not, you're hiding something. Adam. I know it, and There's more to this story than you're letting on." Her voice emerged in a raw quaver. "I need the truth, not just for my son. but for those who lost their children that day.

Adam snorted, leaning back in his chair, stretching the chains binding him. "You're wasting your breath, pal. I've said what I had to say, and now that's it-leave it alone."

Emma didn't back off. Reaching in her bag, she pulled out two photographs of the two young children that had recently succumbed to their injuries due to the fall of the daycare, slapping them onto the table and sliding them to him, with trembling hands. Her voice had trembled and was laden with grief at this moment while her eyes welled over.

Look at them, Adam. Look at them!" Her voice rose and raw pain spilled out. "These two babies didn't get to celebrate their next birthdays. Their parents will never see their smiles anymore, never hear their laughter. They're gone because of what happened. And their innocent souls deserve justice.

Adam hesitated; his eyes flickered towards the photographs and away. "What is it you want from me?" he growled in his

bitterness.

I want the truth, Emma pressed, leaning forward. "You and I both know you're not the mastermind behind this. Someone else is pulling the strings-someone who's out there living freely while you rot in here, taking the fall for their crime. Why? Why are you protecting them?"

Adam's jaw clenched, but he said nothing, his eyes fixed on the far corner of the room.

Emma's voice was soft, breaking with desperation. "Please, Adam, I'm begging you. I'll pay all the money in the world, hire the best lawyer in the world-somebody who can get you out of this. You don't deserve to carry this burden alone. Think of those families, those grieving parents. Think of their pain. Don't let the real culprit walk free while you shoulder all of this.

Finally, Adam swung around to her, his face cool but with something flickering in its depths-guilt, pain, regret? For a moment, there was silence between them, the weight of her words heavy upon

him...

Emma bit back a sob, her tears streaming down her face now. "You don't have to go through this all alone, Adam, I'll stand with you if only you come clean with the truth. Those children, those lives lost, they deserve justice: Don't let things go this far and then stop. Please..

Adam's hands curled into fists, his knuckles white, His chest heaved as he struggled to maintain his composure. For a brief second, he seemed to waver, but then he clenched his jaw and shook his head, his voice low and weary. "You're wasting your time, Emma. There's nothing more to say."

Emma's heart fell, but she refused to give up. She leaned across the table, her trembling hand inches from his. "You can still do the right thing. Adam. It's never too late. Don't let their death be in vain.

"And who are you?" Adam Hershel said, slumping back in his chair, narrowing further as he regarded the woman opposite. He wanted to know who he was dealing with before saying another word. Emma sat a little straighter in her chair and looked him dead in the eye, with unwavering confidence Tm Emma Black." she said, firm but calm..

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21:20 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 86

Π

The name had come like a stroke of thunder in that silent room. Adam's breath caught in his throat, and his eyes widened. He must have heard wrong, surely it couldn't be that Emma Black. But the steel in her voice and the firm set of her jaw told him otherwise.

Since yesterday, it had doininated every headline. Whispers and gasps filled the prison halls concerning some Mrs. Emma Black nobody seemed to have come from nowhere, claiming she was a CEO of W2 HOLDINGS, basically from an unknown name into the one feared by everyone.

Adam sat paralyzed with fear; his lips began to quiver involuntarily. His mind was racing, as this finally dawned on him: one of the kids he hurt wasn't just some random kid but the son of a multibillionaire with powers and resources beyond his wildest imagination. Adam's instincts of survival kicked in; he fisted his hands under the table. He couldn't trust her-no matter how poised she seemed-because she belonged to the elite, a world full of lies and hazard. Rich people like her didn't amass their fortune without stepping on others. He was certain of it. Emma Black wasn't any different.

He sprang up, scraping the chair loudly on the floor. "What happened was an accident!" he declared boisterously, his voice raised and defensive. He glanced around him as though the walls were going to close in on him anytime. There is nothing else that I can add. This will be my last time to accept an invitation from you.

"Mr. Adam," Emma cried, her quivering voice rising as she, too rose to her feet. "Please,

wait!"

Adam shook his head, refusing even to look at her. "No," he snapped, the hardness in his voice final. "I've had enough of this. You won't get anything else from me.

Emma's heart pounded against her chest as he turned his back on her. children. Adam! Think of their parents, their lives-"

Chesperation clawed at her chest. Think of the

But already Adam was walking away, the chains clanking ominously with every step. He didn't pause, didn't look back, didn't acknowledge her plea.

Emma stood frozen, her hand extended as if she could drag him bodily back by will alone. Her eyes overflowed and her voice cracked. "Please she whispered, knowing he couldn't hear her anymore

It hit closed behind him, the loud clang of it echoing through the chill, dead room. Emma let herself fall back into her chair, her hands shaking down to her sides. She bit her lip, her mind racing. For a second, she had thought that she could get through to him, appeal to his human side. But Adam Hershel, cornered and afraid, had chosen silence.

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21:20 Tue, Dec 17