She Took 871

Artemis and Manny face an unchangeable test result that threatens their safety. As they wait anxiously, Artemis reflects on Dale’s ruthless nature, which had once targeted two women and their children. She had once felt proud to be loved and protected by Dale, the powerful man of Redwood, but now fears that his cruelty will turn on her once the test confirms Manny is not his son.

Artemis is overwhelmed by fear and panic, recalling a chilling moment from years ago when she overheard Dale ordering the killing of Tessa’s mother. That memory reveals the cold, ruthless side of Dale she had never seen before. She worries that Dale’s anger at betrayal will lead to dire consequences for her and Manny, especially since Dale insists they stay until the test results are revealed.

Dan, seemingly amused by their distress, taunts them with cigarettes and comments that suggest he is confident about the outcome. He reveals that fifteen pairs of eyes are overseeing the test, making tampering impossible. This implies that Dan himself might be Dale’s real son, further complicating the situation and intensifying Artemis’s fear and hatred toward Dan.

Artemis tries to shift attention by asking why Tessa isn’t involved, but Dan points out that Tessa resembles the Morris family the most, deepening Artemis’s sense of isolation and despair. She bitterly regrets not having killed Dan when she first learned he wasn’t her son, blaming herself for allowing him to live and bring ruin upon her.

As the tension rises, Artemis’s hope to escape Black Mountain alive grows faint, and she vows to confront Dan if she survives. The chapter ends with Artemis trapped in fear and uncertainty, haunted by past mistakes and the looming threat of Dale’s unforgiving wrath.

r 871 The Test Result

For Artemis and Manny, the test result couldn’t be changed.

But before the report came out–if they didn’t leave right this second–would they even be able to get out

of here alive?

After all these years, Dale’s ruthlessness had finally turned on her.

Back then, her cruelty had only been directed toward those two women and their children.

Back then, she’d loved the feeling of being the one Dale treated like his whole world.

She really had been proud then–being adored, protected, and loved by the most powerful man in Redwood.

But now…

She knew all too well what was coming.

Once the result confirmed Manny wasn’t his son, everything Dale had ever done to those two women would come back around–and land squarely on her.

Just the thought of it made Artemis’s heart race with fear.

“After all these years, do you really not care at all?” she asked weakly.

Dan exhaled smoke and said flatly, “This really isn’t the time to talk about feelings, is it?”

“Shut up! Don’t say another word!” Artemis broke down completely.

The thought that Dale might treat her the same way he’d treated those women made her panic.

Given the cold, unchanging look in Dale’s eyes that day, he… he really could do it.

Her mind flashed back to that moment years ago–standing outside his study, hearing him give an order that chilled her blood. Kill her.

He’d been talking about Tessa’s mother.

She’d been standing right outside the door that day. It was the first time she’d ever seen Dale’s ruthless side.

Because whenever he was with her, he was always gentle. He never let her see that part of him.

But now, that memory came rushing back.

Artemis knew it all too well–Dale might’ve seemed calm and gentlemanly on the surface, but underneath, he was ruthless.

And nothing enraged a man like him more than betrayal.

At that moment, Artemis completely lost her composure.

Chapter OFT The Test Result

She had planned to leave quietly, acting as if she were simply disappointed in him.

But she hadn’t expected Dale to stop her.

He insisted that she and Manny stay until the results came out.

Finished

And with that memory still haunting her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder–when the truth was revealed. would she even make it out of there alive?

As Artemis’s expression cracked and fell apart, Dan leaned back in his chair, clearly entertained.

Lighting another cigarette, he tossed the pack to Dale. “You’ll need this.”

Dale shot him a cold look.

Dan smirked. “Don’t look at me like that. Trust me–you’re going to need it later.”

It was as if he were certain of what the result would be.

Dale’s whole body radiated an icy, dangerous energy.

Artemis glared at Dan with hatred, and Manny looked like he wanted to strangle him right there. Follow current novᴇls on Find1Novel.net

“If you’d just shut up, no one would think you’re mute,” Artemis snapped.

Dan shrugged. “Even if I keep quiet, it won’t change the result. Fifteen pairs of eyes are watching.”

At the mention of those “fifteen pairs of eyes,” both Artemis and Manny wished they could tear Dan apart.

She couldn’t believe he’d thought of something so devious.

By suggesting that everyone send their own representatives to oversee the test, he had made it impossible for any of them to tamper with it.

If he dared to propose that, there could only be one reason-

He was Dale’s real son.

Because he was the real one, he wanted to make sure no one else had a way out.

That realization made Artemis’s chest tighten painfully.

“Why didn’t Tessa come to do it?” She blurted, desperate to redirect the situation. “Wouldn’t that be fairer?”

The mention of Tessa made Dale’s expression turn darker.

Those eyes–so much like his own–flashed in his memory.

He looked at Artemis, his gaze colder than ever.

Dan spoke up instead. “Anyone who’s seen Tessa knows he’s definitely part of the Morris family.” He glanced at Dale and added, “Those eyes are identical. Out of all of us, Tessa looks the most like the Morris family.”

Only Tessa?

212

Dan might as well have said outright, None of your children look like

Artemis’s heart sank like a stone.

you.

She shot Dan a deadly glare, thinking bitterly, If I get out of Black Mountain alive, I’ll make sure you don’t. That little bastard.

She should’ve killed him back then, the moment she learned he wasn’t her son.

She never should’ve let him live to bring her ruin.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized–this was all her own mistake.

She’d really wanted to kill Dan back then.

But by the time she worked up the nerve, Dan’s mother’s people were already protecting him, and she’d lost her chance for good.

。

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The weight of the impending test result hangs heavily over Artemis and Manny, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty. Artemis’s turmoil reveals the fragile balance of love, betrayal, and ruthless power that defines their world. Her memories of Dale’s coldness and the chilling orders he once gave remind us that beneath the surface of gentleness lies a dangerous and unforgiving nature. The emotional strain is palpable as Artemis grapples not only with the truth about Manny’s paternity but also with the terrifying possibility of becoming the next target of Dale’s wrath.

Despite the tension and looming threat, the chapter captures a poignant moment of vulnerability and regret. Artemis’s bitter reflections on past choices and her fierce hatred toward Dan highlight the complex web of family ties and the painful consequences of secrets kept too long. In this crucible of fear and anticipation, the characters are forced to confront harsh realities, setting the stage for the inevitable reckoning that awaits them all.

The tension is reaching a breaking point as Artemis, Manny, and Dale brace themselves for the inevitable revelation of the test results. The atmosphere is thick with fear and uncertainty, and the emotional stakes have never been higher. Artemis’s memories of Dale’s ruthless side haunt her, making every moment more nerve-wracking as she wonders if she can survive what’s to come. The fragile alliances and simmering resentments among the characters hint at a storm ready to erupt, where trust is scarce and danger lurks just beneath the surface.

In the next chapter, expect the fragile threads holding these relationships together to be tested like never before. Emotions will run high as the truth threatens to shatter the delicate balance and bring long-buried secrets into the light. With Dan’s calculated moves and Dale’s icy menace looming large, Artemis and Manny will have to confront not only the results but also the consequences that ripple far beyond a simple test. The question remains—who will emerge unscathed, and who will be consumed by the fallout?

Cedella

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.