Chapter 991

Shay threw open what she thought was a window, only to find it was a complete fake—just a decorative piece pretending to be real. She had to fight the urge to yell, "Is anything around here even real?"

It hit her that Finley was probably worried she'd try to make a run for it. Accepting her situation, she took a shower and changed into some clean clothes.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Shay greeted Finley with a smile. Just as she was about to reach for his arm, he stood up and said, "Come on, let's get out of here. You must be starving. I'll grab us something to eat."

Shay glanced at her hand, wondering if Finley stood up to dodge her touch or if he was genuinely concerned about her being hungry. It didn't take long for her to figure out it was the latter, and she felt a bit lighter.

...

As they stepped outside, they ran into Livia. Finley instinctively turned away, but Shay called out to her.

Seeing Shay hanging onto Finley's arm, Livia's face twisted with a mix of challenge and smug satisfaction. "Oh, out of your cage, are we?" she said, her voice dripping with icy sarcasm.

Shay was at a loss for words.

Livia, feigning surprise, continued, "Oops, my bad. With that lawsuit, you're a goner. You'll be behind bars soon enough. Don't worry, I'll send you a parting gift that'll make your stay unforgettable."

Shay's earlier confidence melted away, doused by Livia's cold words.

She hugged Finley tighter, but he gently pushed her off, still smiling awkwardly. "You're squeezing my arm."

Realizing she was holding on too tight, Shay let go and smirked at Finley. "Finley doesn't like you, Livia. Is that why you're so bitter?"

Livia shot back instantly, "Oh, listen to you squawk. You sound like an old hen."

Finley held back a laugh, trying to maintain a serious face. It was almost painful, and he was itching to get out of there.

Spurred on by Livia's jab, Shay let

her words fly. "Even if you were pregnant with Finley's kid it's over, now Not everyone gets that chance, and clearly, you're not one of them!"

Livia's demeanor changed at the mention of a child, her friendliness evaporating. "Oh, you're so lucky. You've got loving parents, perfect siblings, a life without prison worries. You're practically blessed, aren't you?" Livia's smile was sharp, her words oozing sarcasm.

Boiling with anger, Shay pulled on Finley's sleeve, hoping he'd back her up. But instead, Finley said, "Let's go shopping. You wanted new clothes, right?"

Without waiting for Shay's reply, he started walking away. Shay shot a glare at Livia and hurried after him.

Livia shrugged it off and was about to leave when her phone buzzed with a new message. Glancing at the screen, she saw a text from an unknown number: "Livia, we're not real on an important mission, and I'll explain everything when I'm back. Don't believe what you just saw."

Her instincts kicked in, and she turned to watch Finley and Shay walk away. Finley

had his hands in his pockets, not saying a word to Shay beside him.