His words fell like a heavy bomb in the silent rear hall. Boom—everyone's hearts caved in. "Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Blackwood, let me take you upstairs to rest." The butler wiped the sweat from his brow, supporting the frail Arthur. Arthur's fingers trembled as he pointed at Jethro. "Keep... keep talking!" Jasper's mental defenses had long since collapsed. He slumped to the floor, staring blankly at Annie, then at Jethro. "No... that can't be! How is this possible? This is all a nightmare!" He slapped his own cheeks hard. "Wake up! Wake up now!" Those watching felt a surge of pity. Jasper's deep feelings for Annie were clear to all.But in the end, he was bitterly disappointed. This wasn't a dream; it was a stark, undeniable reality. Annie's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. She lay there, murmuring to herself, "It wasn't like that. I was forced, cornered... I just wanted my dad to pay off the loan sharks quickly; I never meant to hurt anyone. But fate played such a cruel joke on me! In one night, family and love both left me! Blame fate for being so unfair to me!" Mention of that old kidnapping case sent another shockwave through the room. They had all believed the true culprit of that kidnapping was the long-dead Joel. No one could have imagined the mastermind behind it all was Annie. It was simply unbelievable! Annie's clear eyes were fixed on Jethro. "How did you know? Did Draven tell you that too?" Jethro said, "Actually, I started suspecting you not long after the car accident." Annie's heart lurched, her eyes widening.She never imagined Jethro had distrusted her that early. "What on earth is going on?!" Arthur pressed one hand to his chest, the other raising his cane and slamming it down hard. Wave after wave of information assaulted him like a beast. His cloudy eyes turned to his eldest grandson. "Jethro, you... you say you suspected her back then? Why didn't you say anything?" Jethro lowered his gaze. "Back then, I accidentally overheard Annie arguing with someone on the phone about money. Now, looking back, it was probably Draven. "I had my doubts. But part of me refused to believe she could do something like that. And when I calmed down and tried every angle, I couldn't trace who she'd called. Now I know why. Not long after the kidnapping, Draven was reported, convicted on multiple charges, and sentenced to eight years in prison. He was released just a year ago. And the person who provided the tip to the police back then was Annie. "That's why I couldn't track down any information. I thought I was overthinking it and didn't pursue it further." Everyone looked at Annie. Unlike the previous shock, they now felt a chill of horror. She hadn't even been twenty then—and her mind worked like this. This woman was truly terrifying! Jasper was also stunned. His mind involuntarily conjured images of his father's charred body and his mother fainting from grief in his arms. If Annie was the real mastermind... then what were all his years of devotion to her? He had cherished his father's killer in his palm, cared for her meticulously, tried to redeem her, to make her his. What did that make him? What the hell did that make him?! Jasper slowly turned to Annie. His eyes were still gentle. He asked softly, "Annie, what he's saying is all lies, right? You didn't do those things, did you? Tell me. Say it wasn't you. As long as you say it, I'll believe you." Annie lay there, looking straight back at him. If she had to name the person she felt most guilty towards all these years, besides Jett, it was Jasper. Without him, her life abroad wouldn't have been so comfortable. Life would have ground her down long ago. If not for Draven's unexpected survival, she could have kept deceiving him. But now, deception was pointless. For the last time, she didn't want to lie to him anymore. Annie closed her eyes, then slowly said, "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I let you down." Buzz— Jasper's mind went blank. He could hear nothing, see nothing. He felt like an empty shell, lost and helpless. A few seconds later, rage flooded his brain."Why?! Why did you do it?!" Jasper sprang to his feet, his long hands wrapping around her throat. "Tell me why?!" Annie gasped for air, her face turning red. Rhett's men immediately pulled Jasper away. "Mr. Blackwood! Calm down!" Jasper's eyes were bloodshot, still desperately seeking an answer. Annie coughed violently, tears of reflex streaming down her face. It took a long time for her to calm down. She gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh. "I didn't want to! But I had no choice! I had no choice at all! "After learning about my dad's gambling, I tried to get him to stop. That's when I understood why they say gambling, drugs, and prostitution are linked. He was addicted, couldn't stop. The debts kept piling up. Even after our savings were gone, the mountain of debt remained. That scum Draven gave him the idea to steal from the Blackwoods to fill the hole, but it was a drop in the bucket. The people he owed money to knew he had a daughter, a beautiful one. So they set their sights on me."