Chapter 177 It Wasn’t Me
Renee’s face hardened. Just before leaving, she shot Shaun a brief look.
By chance, Shaun’s eyes met hers. In reality, he’d been watching her closely, waiting for her reaction at this exact moment.
Renee’s smile was sharp, cold, and calculated.
Sooner or later, she’d expose the truth about him.
“Renee, where are you going?” Marvin called out.
He wanted to follow, but with Shaun still standing there, he hesitated.
Glancing at Shaun, he asked, “Uncle Shaun, can I…”
Shaun gave a nod. “Go on.”
Only then did Marvin feel brave enough to follow her.
The trip to the third floor felt like it took forever.
The elevator was slow. Renee couldn’t stand the wait and quickly turned to
the stairs.
Seeing the worry on her face, Marvin sensed something was seriously
wrong.
At Room 333.
As Marvin caught up, he saw Renee kick the door open, the impact rattling the entire hallway.
It was the same fierce Renee, but this time, Marvin wasn’t shocked. He just made a mental note to stay out of her way.
Renee stood frozen, her eyes locked on the scene before her.
Intrigued, Marvin took a step closer. As he looked up, his breath caught in
his throat.
The room was drenched in a blood–red glow, painting everything in shades of crimson. On the floor, a man lay curled up, naked and motionless. His body–and the floor beneath him–were soaked in dark red.
It was the same horrific scene as when Renee had kicked open the door to
save Rosa.
Marvin stood frozen, unable to process what he was seeing. He turned to Renee and saw her pale face, her lips trembling. It hit him–she knew this
man.
“Stay here. I’ll check on him,” Marvin said, stepping into the room to get
closer to the man on the floor.
“Are you… alright?”
The moment his fingers brushed the man’s skin, a jolt of icy coldness surged through him, freezing him in place.
Was he… already dead?
As he leaned in to check for a pulse, Renee stepped forward.
“I need your jacket,” she demanded. Her voice trembled.
Marvin paused, understanding what Renee was about to do. He hesitated, and then asked quietly, “Do you know him?”
“He’s a friend of mine.”
“But… he looks…”
He wanted to say the man already looked lifeless. The words, however, caught in his throat.
“I told you to take off your jacket! Now!” Renee’s voice sharpened.
Marvin quickly obeyed. Renee grabbed the jacket and draped it over Ryland’s body. She then crouched down, preparing to lift him.
Seeing her move, Marvin rushed to stop her. “Wait! Let me do it.”
After all, he was a man. How could he let Renee, a woman, carry such a heavy burden?
Thankfully, as he lifted Ryland, the man shifted slightly. Relieved that he wasn’t holding a lifeless body. Marvin let out a breath.
“Where do you want to put him?” Marvin asked.
“Put him on the sofa,” Renee said, her voice steady.
Once Ryland was on the sofa, Renee examined his injuries. Most were mere bruises, probably from a belt or something similar. But the worst injuries were on his lower body. The sight made her heart ache. Imagining what he’d endured, she could barely hold back the guilt.
“I’ve already called a doctor,” Marvin said.
He hesitated before adding, “He… Do you want me to find out who did this? Or… do you already have a suspect?”
Renee gave a bitter laugh and turned to shoot Marvin a cold, murderous
look.
Marvin’s panic was instant. He raised his hands defensively. “It wasn’t me! I’ve been with you the whole time, I swear!”
