“Who told you?” In a moment of panic, Harry’s eyes widened with rage. He instinctively questioned, suddenly looking at Fiona on the ground, wondering if there was anyone else involved.
Hattie knew Harry too well, understanding the meaning behind his expressions better than anyone. Just by looking at his reaction, she knew Fiona was not lying.
The death of her parents was truly connected to Harry, and ironically, when she was taken in by Harry to the Stewart family all those years ago, she was grateful to him. Little did she know, this man was the one responsible for the tragic loss of her family, the perpetrator who harmed her parents.
Hattie had exhausted all expressions, her facial expression turning numb. Stepping on Fiona, she looked at Harry and regretted only stabbing him 29 times in the past. The final blow should have pierced his heart, but she had hesitated.
Indeed, being lenient towards others is being harsh on oneself. As Hattie looked at Harry, she recalled the time he picked up a golden chain outside the hospital. At that moment, she didn’t pay much attention but now realized that chain was the same one she had given to Fiona to pass on to him.
A golden chain that Harry had cherished for over twenty years, loving and protecting Fiona. If he knew Fiona wasn’t his benefactor, how would he react?
That chain held great significance for Harry, constantly keeping him alert and reminding him of his past. It also evoked beautiful memories, like a bright light in the midst of darkness, which is why he treated Fiona so well. If Fiona hadn’t made repeated foolish mistakes, perhaps he would have married her.
But even the best of relationships can be ruined step by step.
“Harry, do you carry a chain with you?” Hattie asked cryptically, a hint of sarcasm on her face.
Fiona, being stepped on by Hattie, felt a chill run down her body, unable to control her trembling. Was Hattie going to reveal everything here?
She had planned to tell Hattie the truth and let them fight it out, but she realized that Harry was convinced the chain was from her. Hattie could say whatever she wanted, but without evidence, why would anyone believe her?
With someone watching her in the mental hospital, even if Harry knew the truth, he might not be able to do anything to her.
But now the situation was different. An unexpected event had occurred, and she hadn’t anticipated Hattie turning on her and revealing everything in front of Harry.
In a panic, she exclaimed, “Harry, don’t believe her. She tied me up here to retaliate against you…”
A cunning move of a thief accusing another thief.
Hattie lifted her foot, this time stepping on Fiona’s face, grinding her still-talking mouth into the ground.
Harry, confused about why Hattie mentioned the chain, took it out to inspect. The pendant was a lock made of jade gems, exquisitely designed and worth a substantial amount of money mainly due to this pendant.
Over the years, the pendant had remained flawless, emitting a soft glow.
“Do you know, the chain’s clasp is actually a key that can open this lock? Harry, do you want to try opening it?” Hattie’s smile suddenly turned eerie.
A shiver ran down Harry’s spine as an unknown fear enveloped him, warning him not to follow Hattie’s words. Otherwise, he would regret it for a lifetime and come to hate himself.
His hands grew cold as if his soul had left his body, watching helplessly as his trembling hands followed Hattie’s instructions to press the protruding side of the lock with the clasp as she said.
With a click, the lock indeed opened as Hattie had said. It was composed of two sides, one half gemstone and the other jade, with the jade side engraved with the name “Hattie.”
Why was Hattie’s name engraved on it? A terrifying truth began to unfold.
Looking at Hattie, Harry felt as if all the blood had drained from his body, his face turning pale. He met Hattie’s pitch-black eyes.
Achingly empty inside, he took two steps forward.
Hattie spoke, “Come any closer, and I’ll kill Fiona.”
Though Max said something by his side, Harry didn’t register it, but he stopped in his tracks, not daring to get any closer.
Hattie had seen various expressions on Harry’s face, but this look, devoid of his usual self, was something rare. Seeing this, a surge of vengeful madness rose within her.
“So Harry, why do you think Fiona’s chain has my name engraved on it? Why do I know about this switch?”
Why? Harry, choked up, couldn’t form any words.
Breathing became difficult for him.
“Have you never once doubted, Harry?”
“How could an orphan like Fiona have such a valuable chain concealed on her…”
“With your status, could you truly not investigate her background?”
“Harry, you are truly the most foolish person I’ve ever met…”
Silence prevailed, a ringing in his ears as warm liquid streamed down his face with Hattie’s words, his mouth tasting metallic and sweet.
The memory of him and his mother kneeling on the ground, Hattie passing by with a small red umbrella, had haunted him and fueled his resentment towards her over the years. But now, reconsidering it, was that memory even real?
Had Hattie truly never acknowledged him?
“Harry, when we grow up, I’ll be your wife.”
“I can protect you too.”
…
The red umbrella blocked Hattie’s face and Harry’s view, unaware of how broken the little girl was crying.
For hatred had distorted his memories.
Clutching the chain tightly, Harry swayed, realizing warm liquid on his face. Lowering his head slightly, a droplet of blood fell from his lip, staining the name “Hattie.”
This chain belonged to Hattie. She had always been his savior, the light in his darkness, the one who sought his safety, the one who wept for him.
And now, he had lost someone as caring as Hattie. He had conspired with others to ruin the Mason family, resulting in her father’s imprisonment and her mother’s tragic fate. In one night, tiny Hattie had lost her parents.
He had brought disaster upon her family. He was her enemy.