The fever reducer cooled my burning body. I was lying in a hospital bed with my eyes barely open when I was roughly yanked upright by the bodyguard and dragged into a ward filled with medical equipment.

The sight before me instantly plunged me into an icy abyss—it was Grandma!

She was lying on the bed with several tubes inserted into her body. An oxygen mask covered her gaunt, aged face. The flickering numbers and wavering lines on the monitor were the only proof that she was still alive.

Standing on either side of her bed were Thomas and Joan.

When he saw me brought in, Thomas immediately began accusing me. “Victoria, because of your hysterics at the villa, Joan’s heart has been uncomfortable ever since then. She’s so weak—she can’t endure your repeated torment.”

“Now, at the bedside of your beloved grandmother, kneel before Joan. Apologize for all your past thoughtlessness and cruelty. Beg for her forgiveness.”

“Furthermore, at the Lawrence Group anniversary celebration in two days, I demand you publicly announce that you'll transfer all Lawrence Family shares and assets under your name—including those left by your mother—to Joan. And you will sign the formal bone marrow donation agreement on the spot.”

A chill ran through my body. I just stared at the demons before me and stayed silent.

Thomas closed in on me. His mouth curved into a cruel smile. Slowly, his hand moved toward the ventilator’s power plug beside the bed.

“If you can't do it, I wouldn't mind helping your grandmother find complete release right now, in front of you. After all, living like this must be quite difficult, wouldn't you agree?”

I stared intently at my grandmother's sleeping face, watching the faint rise and fall of her chest. A surge of overwhelming rage, humiliation, and terror threatened to tear me apart.

I can’t let my grandmother die before my eyes!

A flash of unconcealed delight passed through Joan’s eyes. She even lifted her chin slightly, waiting for my submission.

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, there was only dead ashes and cold numbness left in my eyes.

My legs felt weak as I took two steps forward. Before my sleeping grandmother's hospital bed, I slowly bent my knees and knelt before Joan.

Through clenched teeth, I forced out the broken, hoarse words, “I’m… sorry… Joan. Please forgive me. In two days, I’ll do as you ask.”

A dazzling smile blossomed across Joan's face. “Victoria, get up now. I forgive you. From now on, let's be good to each other. Our family shouldn't be like this anymore.”

Thomas finally retracted the hand that was hanging next to the ventilator and nodded in satisfaction. “Remember what you said today, and remember what you should do, two days from now. Don't let us down at the celebration.”

He signaled for the bodyguards to escort me back to rest. As the door closed, I caught one last glimpse of my grandmother still sleeping in the hospital bed, and the man and woman standing side by side like victors.

As soon as I left the ward, the bodyguards escorted me back to the villa and imprisoned me there. I could only entrust Hugh to save my grandmother. After waiting anxiously, all I received was a message. [My Condolences] and a video.

My body went cold as I opened it with trembling hands.

In the footage, it was in the evening. Grandma was lying alone on a hospital bed, with monitoring equipment connected to her body, and she looked extremely thin and weak. She seemed to sleep very restlessly, her brows frowning slightly.

At this moment, Joan crept stealthily into Grandma's room. She pulled a small syringe from her pocket and, without hesitation, plunged the needle into Grandma's arm.

“Ugh!” Grandma's eyes widened in terror. Her body began to struggle violently, her frail limbs kicking helplessly against the sheets.

Joan held her down firmly, her eyes gleaming with a near-manic satisfaction.

Within minutes, Grandma’s struggles grew weak … then she stopped completely.

At this moment, the ward door was slammed open from the outside, and Thomas walked in quickly. When he saw the scene in the room and the glaring line on the monitor, his face immediately changed drastically.

But he quickly composed himself. He glanced at Grandma’s lifeless body, reached out, and turned off the monitor. Then he wrapped his arms around Joan.

“It’s fine. If she's dead, then she's dead. She's just an old cripple. She didn't have long left anyway; that should have been dealt with a long time ago. This's better and cleaner.”

He even wiped the corner of Joan's eye with a handkerchief. “Let's go. I'll handle this.”

From start to finish, he hadn't called a doctor or attempted resuscitation. He simply left Grandmother lying there, alone.

I stared fixedly at my phone screen, biting my lip as I replied to Hugh.

[Release this video at the ceremony. I'll make the whole world know they're murderers!]

[In addition ... Mother’s agreement, Joan’s true condition, the stepmother’s affairs, the Crawford Group scandal... Every truth must be exposed at the celebration.”

[Rest assured, everything is arranged. I’ll personally escort you away first thing in the morning of the celebration.]

As always, no matter how late it was, Hugh replied to my message immediately.

When I saw his reply, I finally broke down and covered my face as I burst into tears.

My mother had gone, I had lost the baby, my grandmother had passed away, my body was no longer fit for pregnancy, and the love I thought I had become the one who wounded me the most .

Other than Hugh, I had no one left. Only a pack of demons eyeing me hungrily.

After crying for an unknown length of time, I rose and walked to the bathroom. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I saw a pale face and swollen, reddened eyes. But I knew I couldn't break down yet!

I splashed cold water on my face again and again to clear my chaotic mind. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I swore word by word, “They will pay the price.”

In the days that followed, to avoid arousing their suspicion, I remained unnaturally calm—even obedient.

I tried on the elaborate gowns that Thomas demanded, and when Joan deliberately flaunted them, I managed a stiff, fake smile.

In private, however, I was in constant contact with Hugh, confirming and adjusting every detail of the celebration day plan.

Amidst the surging undercurrents, the day of the celebration finally arrived.

Early that morning, I gathered my documents and prepared to leave the villa as planned.

When I pushed open the bedroom door, I was momentarily blinded by the sight before me.

The villa interior had undergone a dramatic transformation. Joan's favorite pink flowers were adorned everywhere. It was clearly a meticulously prepared celebration.

Thomas was standing in the center of the living room, carefully putting a diamond necklace around Joan's neck.

“After today, everything will be fine,” his voice carried a tone of indulgence. “You'll no longer suffer from illness, and all obstacles within the Lawrence Family will be cleared. Joan, I will make you happy.”

I stood at the staircase entrance, silently watching these two murderers with clenched fists.

When Thomas noticed me, his brows furrowed. His tone carried his usual reproach and displeasure.

“What are you doing here? Don't try any tricks again. I warn you, Victoria, today you won't ...”

"Mr. Crawford, I need to take Victoria to take care of some business."

A deep, steady voice cut through his warning.

The villa's front door had opened unnoticed. Hugh stood at the entrance, his figure straight and imposing in a perfectly tailored dark suit.

He walked directly to me and took my slightly cold hand from nervousness into his own. His broad and warm palm radiated a reassuring strength.

“Victoria,” his voice was low but clear, “Let's go.”

Thomas’s face twisted into a grim expression. His eyes, which were boiling with rage and fear, fixed on my hand that was in Hugh's. “Since President Stone is looking for her, I’ll grant him the courtesy. But Victoria, don’t forget your promise. This afternoon, at the Lawrence Family celebration, I’ll be waiting for you. You can’t escape!”

His voice was full of warning, as if no matter whom I went with, I would ultimately return to the track he had laid out for me.

Without a glance at Thomas or Joan, I followed Hugh straight to the airport.

The car was very quiet, but I could feel Hugh's gaze on me with undisguised concern.

“Everything's arranged,” he said, breaking the silence. “The evidence chain is complete. Legal proceedings can begin at any moment. Once we land, you'll be safe.”

“Thank you.” I gazed out the window at the city where I'd lived for over twenty years—a place that held all my loves and hates, joys and sorrows—now fading into the distance.

Boarding. Takeoff.

As the plane surged into the sky, I closed my eyes.

Mother, Grandmother, my unborn child ...

Please watch … the show is finally about to begin.