“Grandma, what should I do?” Jenna wrung the towel and gently wiped Vivian’s arm. “You shouldn’t have given me the Ocean Heart. I really can’t protect it. I’m afraid I’ll let you down.”
Her voice was very low, like a mosquito buzzing, but her heart was heavy, as if it had been stacked with lead.
“Grandma, can you tell me where to hide the treasure? I’ve secretly sent it to the safe in the bank for extra precaution, but will it be safe? I’m at a loss at what to do,” Jenna mumbled to herself as she cradled Vivian’s hand in hers.
Vivian’s eyes were slightly shut as she panted for breath. Her cheeks were already deeply sunken in, and her entire face was pale and purplish. Jenna pursed her lips and stared at her face. She gripped her hand tightly and suddenly felt an unmitigated pain in her heart.
She knew Vivian was still hanging on by a thread as she was bothered about the Richards Group and everything about the Richards family. Even if she was in a coma, she would hold fast to the family that she had once guarded for the rest of her life.
“Grandma, I have good news for you. The charge against the Richards Group has been dropped, and no one can frame the Richards Group anymore. So, you can rest assured.” When Jenna mentioned this, her voice was clear and also very loud. She held Vivian’s hand, and the smile on her face was beautiful, albeit there were tears in her eyes.
After a while, she saw Vivian heaving a long sigh. Her brows seemed to relax a little. Then, Jenna’s eyes lit up, and she asked in a loud voice, “Grandma, can you hear what I’m saying?”
Vivian’s throat made faint groans, as if she was struggling to open her eyes. However, after a while, she turned her head and closed her eyes, still in repose. Jenna could only hear her weak breathing and could not help sighing. Finally, she wiped her tears and stood up.
Soon after she walked out, Meroy went in to take care of Vivian.
Due to Marissa’s injury, Claude took care of the company. These few days, Trevor’s face was extremely haggard. Winifred’s two daughters were also bustling around in the company. Furthermore, Vivian had been bedridden for too long. In this fast-paced society, everyone was drowning in endless tasks. Hence, that night, only Vivian’s son-in-law slept in the lounge to keep watch.
Jenna, who was pregnant, certainly could not be on nighwatch duty. When she returned to the guest room, Sabrina was still sitting in front of the computer, painting and sketching. These days, she was immersed in her studies and did her homework aimlessly. She cut herself off from the outside world. Apart from helping Jenna with Richards Manor, she seldom asked about anything else.
Jenna was exhausted after she left the room. As she lay on her bed and saw Sabrina’s focused back, she was a little surprised. Sabrina looked a little lonely, but her expression was raptly focused, and she was completely engrossed in her painting.
Sabrina’s had more or less matured.
At least, her smile was no longer as pure as before. In many cases, Jenna could see her forcing a smile, how she wanted to speak but stopped on second thought, and there was a hint of gloom hidden in her eyes.
“Jenna, from now on, I will learn from you and pour my focus on fashion design, and I will establish my own career. As for love, I won’t think about it anymore. Everything is up to fate. If I can’t find someone I like, then que sera sera, I will be lonely for the rest of my life.” That night, she and Jenna were lying on the bed, and she revealed her thoughts to her. In fact, she was really doing it, and she was very persistent at that.
At that time, Jenna had even laughed at her and thought it was terrible for a woman to become a spinster.
Nonetheless, Sabrina’s mind was firm and unshaken.
At that time, Jenna had thought she was just joking. Unexpectedly, this girl took it seriously and brought ‘no rest for the wicked’ to the next level.
Jenna sighed, fatigued. She leaned over and slowly fell asleep.
Jenna was not at ease after falling asleep. From time to time, all kinds of nightmares came unbidden. When she was half asleep and half awake, she seemed to hear cries. She wanted to pry her eyes open, but to no avail. Turning over, she faintly felt that Sabrina also got on the bed to sleep. She fell asleep deeply again, until a rapid doorbell blared.
She sat up in shock and noticed that the sky outside was still gray, heralding dawn.
“Madam, something bad happened. Meroy was murdered.” The servants outside cried out in a tearful voice, which tore the otherwise quiet dawn, and it made people’s hairs stand on end.
What?! Jenna was appalled!
She must be dreaming! Jenna shook her head. She didn’t want to believe it at all. She lay down and was ready to go back to sleep. This dream was too horrible.
“Madam, wake up quickly. Meroy was murdered.” The maid outside, not hearing any movement inside, continued bawling.
Jenna heard it clearly that time, and even Sabrina was disturbed.
Both of their eyes flew open and turned to each other. They didn’t want to believe that it was true.
Just after a while, a commotion came from the Ink Garden’s living room, punctuated with faint sobs. The two of them woke up at the same time. They quickly got up, put on their clothes, and walked outside.
When Jenna rushed over, Trevor had already arrived. Although his face was glum, he could still be considered calm. He was directing the security guards around the messy scene. After preserving the scene, Claude also dashed over.
Jenna passed by the servants and came to Vivian’s bedroom.
Meroy had been stabbed several times and was lying in a pool of blood.
“Meroy.” At the sight of this bloody scene, she approached the body and was choked with sobs. Jenna covered her mouth with her hand, and tears immediately sprung up in her eyes.
Meroy died just like that!
Jenna couldn’t accept it.
Meroy’s face was etched with horrible expressions, and her round eyes were stark with anger. Obviously, she had seen a gruesome thing before she died, and dead she was with lingering resentment.
What in the world had happened?
Jenna held her breath and felt a dull pain in her chest.
Meroy had been with Vivian for her entire life. She didn’t expect that she would end up like this in the end.
She bent over and gently closed Meroy’s eyes, saying solemnly and clearly, “Meroy, don’t worry, I will make a proper arrangement for your son.”
When Jenna thought of what she had said to her the previous night, her tears started streaming down her face. When she had been despised by everyone in Richards Manor and was not favored by anyone, Meroy had always treated her with respect. She had even tried to comfort her like how she would her own daughter. She bore such gratitude deep down in her heart.
Maud had already reported it to the police. The Public Security Department attached great importance to it and sent a criminal investigation team led by Jordan to the Ink Garden.
Jordan soon cordoned off the scene. Finally, he was done taking pictures and was carrying out the investigative work. After a while, Meroy’s body was carried out.
Trevor commanded the servants to come over and clean up the bedroom.
Jenna blankly watched as Meroy’s body was lifted just like that. Her face was pale, and she sat in front of Vivian’s bed in a daze, holding her hand in silence.
Meroy had been killed in Vivian’s bedroom. What did this mean? It meant that someone had entered her bedroom that night. Why did they come in?
Jenna’s face became paler. Sergio’s words came to her mind again. “Don’t think that the Ocean Heart will bring any glory to Richards Manor. Maybe it will bring a bloody hurricane!”
Sergio was right. Could it be that the bloody hurricane had arrived?
Jenna was in a stupor. Her hands and feet were cold!
Should Jenna take out the Ocean Heart? What should she do? It seemed that Jenna had put Meroy in danger. Jenna held onto Vivian’s hand as she was deep in thought.
Trevor’s expression was solemn. His eyes were so deep and profound that there was not a speck of light in them.
“Jenna, don’t be too sad. The police have begun to investigate, and the murderer will be arrested soon.” Trevor looked at Jenna, who was sitting there in a daze with a pale face, and felt sorrow in his heart. He had to come over to comfort her.
Sabrina had been at a loss since she saw Meroy’s corpse. It was the first time she had seen such a bloody scene in her life. Moreover, she had known Meroy since she was a child. Hence, she was as worried and confused as Jenna.
Trevor’s words failed to anchor Jenna back to her senses. However, when Sabrina heard it, she became clear-headed.
“Jenna, don’t be sad. Meroy is our elder and also a person we respect. She died just like that. We can’t be sad now. We must help her find the murderer and give her justice.” Sabrina immediately stood beside Jenna. When she thought that Jenna, who was pregnant at this time, faced such a gory scene, it would definitely harm the child in her belly, and Sabrina became anxious.
Such a thing had happened. The descendants of the Richards family soon gathered in Vivian’s bedroom. They discussed among themselves.
After a while, Jenna saw that Lomen was bringing Jordan and the rest to Vivian’s rear garden’s glass window. It was likely that Lomen would tell them about the incident where a thief had broken into Vivian’s room previously, as well as Marissa’s injury.
Someone dared to commit murder in the Ink Garden. Such a thing was a great shame for Richards Manor, and it was unimaginable. Apart from the words to comfort Jenna, Trevor’s silence was exceedingly terrifying.
Jenna pursed her lips tightly and lowered her head to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes with one hand. At this time, she really didn’t know what else she could do except for being calm.
All of a sudden, Jenna’s hand, which was holding Vivian’s, began to twitch. She soon heard a gurgling sound coming from her throat. Everyone turned their gazes to Vivian’s face and held their breaths.
After a while, the sound in her throat toned down, and she gasped for air.
Everyone saw her movements and shouted at the same time.
“Mom!” “Grandma!”
After Vivian exhaled a few mouthfuls of air, her eyes slowly opened and a rare blush appeared on her face.
The crowd shouted again. This was the first time they saw her open her eyes since she had been in a coma for so long. Vivian’s eyes seemed to be very bright. Everyone was surprised and exclaimed.
With great effort, Vivian opened her eyes and carefully surveyed everyone in front of her. When she looked at them, she recognized all her most beloved relatives. Yet, there was a hint of reluctance in her eyes. Tears constantly trickled down the corners of her eyes. She slightly raised her hands and opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.