Ch. 553: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life Chapter 553

Chapter 553

Norah never expected to hear news like this. What could she possibly say to comfort him?

After all, now wasn’t the right time...

Baimo hadn’t anticipated this outcome either. He had made so many promises to Arlene. And now... he walked toward her, heavy with guilt.

“I’m sorry. You gave me such important information, and I still couldn’t save your life.”

Arlene lay on the bed, her body ravaged by the drugs. Despite her suffering, she forced a smile when she saw Baimo approaching.

“This wasn’t anything important. Even if I hadn’t told you, you would’ve figured it out eventually.”

She had done it willingly. She didn’t want Baimo to carry any guilt.

Baimo felt like his heart was being crushed. Arlene was dying because of him... and there was nothing he could do but watch.

But he didn’t want her to die with regrets.

“I failed you,” Baimo said, his voice low. “I couldn’t get the antidote in time. But I’m not giving up. The reward is still posted on the dark web. And if I can’t save you... I swear I’ll avenge you. Just tell me—what’s your last wish?”

Determination flared in his eyes.

If Arlene had a final wish, he would move heaven and earth to make it happen.

But Arlene knew Baimo was about to marry Freyja. She didn’t want to complicate things for him or darken his mood before the wedding.

She smiled gently. “Teacher Baimo, it’s enough for me that you know, that someone tried to save me, and that you’re here with me.”

“I wish you and Miss Johnstone a happy marriage... and a beautiful family.”

It was her most heartfelt blessing.

Baimo didn’t expect that in her final moments, Arlene was still trying to make things easier for him.

She had once gone after Norah for his sake, but now...

“Arlene, you’re a good girl. If there’s a next life, I hope you find true love and live a long, happy life with them.”

His voice broke with emotion.

Arlene shook her head. “But I don’t want another life.”

If she couldn’t have the love she wanted in this one, what difference would the next life make?

Besides, when people die, they return to nothing. What afterlife could there be?

Baimo stayed by her side, while Freyja stood nearby, feeling conflicted. If Arlene hadn’t been poisoned—if she’d held on—she would’ve been a powerful rival.

Was she supposed to feel lucky?

Freyja couldn’t bring herself to think that. Arlene was dying, after all.

Seeing Freyja’s mood dip, Norah walked over, gently patting her shoulder. “Sister-in-law, don’t overthink it. My brother is just grateful to Arlene. They knew each other before.”

That friendship was why Norah stayed by Arlene’s side.

Freyja drew a shaky breath. After a moment of silence, she shared her thoughts with Norah.

“Norah, I know all that. Honestly, I should thank Arlene. If it weren’t for her, your brother might not have realized his feelings for me or proposed so soon. I know where I stand... but I still hope she pulls through.”

This was life and death. How could she feel good about someone dying?

That wasn’t who she was.

Freyja was a kind, grounded woman—an ideal partner, admired by many.

“I get it,” Norah said warmly. “So don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Freyja managed to let go of the darkness in her heart.

At the wedding, Baimo used the celebration as a trap to catch those responsible for poisoning Arlene.

He showed them mercy—but with one condition.

“If you want to walk away, hand over the antidote to the poison you used.”

The wedding was a grand event. Everything was orchestrated to look joyful, so the culprits would let their guard down.

But the moment they made a move, they were caught.

“It’s been so long,” one of them said. “You have the Pharaoh, the top poison developer, on your side. If there was an antidote, wouldn’t he have used it by now?”

If one existed, Pharaoh would’ve already saved Arlene.

Now, she only had days left.

They had hoped to use Arlene and walk away clean. But they never imagined she would be so loyal to Baimo, willing to die rather than betray him.

And they never thought Baimo would turn his wedding into a sting.

Baimo’s expression hardened. “If there’s no antidote, then you all die.”

He pulled the trigger—then handed the weapon to Arlene. Nothing could be more satisfying than taking revenge yourself.

But for Arlene...

Even killing them wouldn’t change her fate.

Still, since Baimo handed her the gun, she followed through.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The traitors dropped like crops in a storm.

Then, without warning, Arlene collapsed. Baimo caught her.

In the next moment, blood poured from her mouth... even her eyes began to bleed.

“Someone! Help!” Baimo shouted.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Baimo. I wanted to hold on until your wedding was over... but I overestimated myself. I shouldn’t have let myself hope.”

Arlene’s voice was barely a whisper.

She had told him the truth—warned him—and should’ve left right after. That way, he wouldn’t have had to go through all this for her.

Even if she had to die from an incurable poison, she shouldn’t have done it in front of him. How unlucky was that?

Arlene tried to push herself up from his arms, but her body was completely drained. She couldn’t even lift her hands.

“Don’t move,” Baimo said softly. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll take you there.”

His voice was so gentle, so warm.

Arlene’s last little wish escaped her lips. “Then... can you take me to see the stars?”

The night sky over the Yi region was filled with bright stars.

There’s a saying among the Yi people: after people die, they become stars in the sky.

Baimo couldn’t let her die without even granting that.

He took her out to see the stars. Arlene leaned gently on his shoulder.

The stars were beautiful... but Arlene had never felt so cold. Her eyelids were getting heavier.

“Teacher Baimo, I’m sorry for ruining your wedding... for affecting your wedding night. I wish you nothing but happiness in the future...”

“And in your next life, I hope things are even better.”