chapter650

The housekeeper was so shaken she could barely speak. "It's not my fault," she stammered, She insisted on hiding here."

"Where is she?" Luke snapped.

With a trembling hand, the housekeeper pointed to a nearby room. "In there."

Luke let go of her and headed straight for the door.

He pushed it open, expecting furniture or maybe a mess, but the room was empty. The only thing inside was a giant dog cage in the corner, covered by a black cloth.

Luke's eyes narrowed. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

He walked over, lifted the cloth, and found Sandy inside, glaring at him with a mix of fear and pure hatred.

"You..." Luke was stunned. He never imagined Soren would actually lock Sandy in a dog cage.

Sandy's face twisted in rage. "Luke! You ungrateful jerk! Did you forget who saved your life? Did you forget whose kidney is keeping you alive? And now you're teaming up with Lydia to hunt me down? How did I end up with such a cruel brother? If I'd known it would turn out like this, I should have let you die in the ICU!"

She was practically screaming, her eyes red and wild.

Luke's heart twisted painfully in his chest. He could barely breathe.

"Soren really did this to you?" he managed to ask.

Sandy scoffed. "Oh, spare me. At least in here I'm not rotting in jail because of you two."

"Who said anything about sending you to jail? Did you... was it really you who pushed Grandma?" Luke's brow furrowed as he searched her face.

Sandy froze. "I didn't push Grandma! Aren't you and Lydia here to turn me in? Stop pretending you're innocent, Luke!"

Luke fell silent for a moment. Mom and Dad are being investigated. As for you until Grandma wakes up, we can't prove anything Right now, police don't have a reason to arrest you."

Sandy stared at him, stunned. "Wait... what did you say?"

He nodded. "You're free for now."

The words seemed to sink in slowly, then all at once. Sandy slipped out of the cage, almost tripping over herself in her excitement. "Of course I had nothing to do with what

happened to Grandma. They just used me, I swear. I'm innocent!" C ntent

She started laughing, almost giddy. "I'm free!"

Without another word, she bolted out of the room. After everything she'd been through, she desperately needed a breath of fresh air.

Outside, S?ren was clutching his

side, convinced a few ribs were broken He had just managed to stand up when Sandy came running out arms wide face glowingI I'm free!"

IMS

Soren blinked in confusion.

What was going on? Was Sandy off the hook? So Lydia and Luke weren't here to

arrest her?

He turned to Lydia, who was as calm and cold as ever. "Ms. Norwood, you... you're not here to take her to the police?"

Lydia didn't even look at him. She just walked away.

Luke came out and called after her. "Lydia, thank you. Really."

He meant it. Lydia always seemed to show up when he needed her most. She didn't

even question why he was looking for Sandy.

Lydia just shrugged. "I was just passing by. I have to go."

How Luke handled Sandy was his business. It wasn't her place to get involved.