Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 532

Donovan had just returned to the villa when Ethan was hot on his heels.

"Don, we're alone now, so tell me the truth," Ethan said, lowering his voice to a whisper after dismissing the housekeeper. "Does Anne's disappearance really have nothing to do with you?"

At that, Donovan remained silent. He simply closed his eyes dismissively.

"Spare me the theatrics," he said. "My presence at dinner is courtesy enough. Unless it concerns the company, don't waste a single word on me. I have no interest in hearing it."

Ethan fell silent for a moment, but he was still convinced the matter concerning Anne was too serious to ignore.

"Don, I know what Anne did was unforgivable, but we have to let the law handle this," he earnestly said. "We have to use the law to deal with this. We can hire the best lawyers to ensure she faces justice. But… I need you to promise that you won't do anything reckless or... illegal in the heat of the moment."

"Is that all?" Donovan coldly sneered. "I don't need you to lecture me on how to handle my affairs. You would do better to manage your own family. You could start by keeping that bastard son of yours on a tight leash."

Faced with Donovan's cold and unforgiving demeanor, Ethan could only keep his mouth shut.

In any case, Donovan seemed to have moved past Giselle. He was fully committed to the company again, and that alone was enough. One could not reasonably expect more.

"As long as it has nothing to do with you, that's all I need to hear," Ethan indifferently said.

With Giselle dead and Anne missing, the Kanes' world seemed calm again in Ethan's eyes.

The sirens who had once clouded Donovan's judgement were out of the picture, while Zachary was free from the chaos brought by those two. His career was now firmly on course.

This peace had come at a high price. Ethan could only hope that the Kanes would now enjoy lasting stability, free from any future storms.

…

In the months that followed, aided by both domestic and international police, Renee searched relentlessly for Anne.

In a final, desperate act, Renee eventually made her way to the graves of her adoptive parents. Kneeling before their graves, she confessed through ragged sobs.

"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry…" she cried, her voice hoarse with guilt. "My actions led to your deaths. It was my greatest sin! I truly know how deeply I've wronged you now…"

At that, Renee started slapping herself hard across the face repeatedly. It was a dozen stinging blows.

"I was wrong, I was wrong… I see my folly now. I never should have done those terrible things. I know you can't rest and that you're punishing me by taking my son and my daughter from me...

"I'm begging you, please stop. My children have never wronged you," she continued. "Please don't harm them anymore! If you need to punish someone, punish me! Take it out on me!"

Then, as if unhinged, Renee threw herself on the ground before the graves. She kept banging her head on the ground in a frenzied rhythm.

"Please, let her go! Take me instead!" she cried out. "As long as Anne comes back safely, I'll give up everything I have. I would even offer my own life for my sins! I just want my daughter back! Please!"