“It’s none of your business, so don’t ask,” Victoria said, lifting her luggage. “Mom, take care and rest well in the hospital. I’m leaving now.”
“Aren’t you going to stay and keep Mom company?” Emily asked.
“There are doctors and nurses in the hospital, and we can hire a professional caregiver for Mom. What’s the point of me staying?” Victoria said impatiently. She then asked, “Do you know which hospital Elowen is in?”
“Why do you care about that shameless bitch?” Emily seethed with anger at the mention of Elowen.
“She may be shameless, but she’s sharing a bed with Dad now. A few words whispered on the pillow from her could make things very difficult for us,” Victoria said, holding her luggage.
Her words were especially harsh, and Charlotte’s eyes reddened with frustration. “Victoria, even if you try to curry favor with her, she won’t side with us.”
“But we absolutely can’t let her side with Isabella,” Victoria said through gritted teeth. It was as if they still couldn’t see the situation clearly, like teammates as dumb as pigs.
“This whole situation was clearly Isabella using Elowen to strike a hard blow against us. If we let her continue using Elowen as a pawn, we’ll keep suffering losses in silence.”
After hearing this, Charlotte coughed and said, “I heard from Mrs. Ada that Elowen is in the maternity hospital.”
“Okay, got it.” Victoria responded and left with her luggage.
“Mom, look at Sis. From the moment she came in until she left, she didn’t show any concern for you,” Emily complained.
“These are just flesh wounds, nothing serious. Your sister is right. We absolutely can’t let Elowen and Isabella stand together,” Charlotte said as she lay down, propping herself up on the bed. “I’m tired. You should go back now.”
Emily watched Charlotte fall asleep before leaving the room. Outside the hospital room, Victoria hadn’t left and was clearly waiting for her.
“Is there something else, Sis?” Emily asked.
“Come with me. We’re going to see Elowen,” Victoria said. “Dad was just venting his anger on you today. If you go and apologize now, you can still maintain your status as the vice mayor’s daughter. If you want to get married from the Harris family smoothly, listen to me.”
“Okay.” Emily nodded and obediently followed Victoria to the maternity hospital.
At the hospital, in the VIP maternity ward, Elowen lay in bed, her face pale and bloodless, her eyes teary as she looked at David, who was by her side.
“David,” Elowen said, holding his hand, her voice choked with sobs.
“Don’t cry. You just had surgery, and crying isn’t good for your eyes,” David comforted her. As he spoke, someone knocked on the door.
“It must be the nurse here to change the dressing,” David said, getting up to open the door. He was surprised to see his two daughters standing outside. “What are you doing here?”
“Dad, we heard Elowen just had surgery and came to see her,” Victoria replied.
David’s face was cold, and after a moment of hesitation, he said, “Come in.”
Victoria led Emily into the room, and they began to fuss over Elowen by her bedside, one after the other.
Emily fully showcased her strengths, crying almost to the point of fainting, more devastated than if she had lost her own mother.
Victoria comforted her sister while apologizing to Elowen. “Elowen, my mom was momentarily confused. Please forgive her. She’s lying in a hospital bed now, filled with regret and self-blame. If you don’t forgive her, I fear she might do something rash.”
“Elowen, please forgive my mom. I’ll kneel and beg for your forgiveness. If you don’t forgive her, I’ll stay kneeling here,” Emily said and made a move to kneel by the bed.
But as soon as she bent her knees, David stopped her.
“Enough, this is a hospital room. Stop this nonsense,” he said.
“Dad,” Emily cried, clinging to David’s shoulder.
David’s grim expression softened significantly as he patted Emily’s back. “Alright, stop crying. You’re disturbing your aunt’s rest.”
On the other side, Elowen lay in bed, seething with anger.
These two sisters are natural actresses. With their crying and fussing, they made it hard for her to back down.
“Dad, you look so exhausted. Let Emily go back with you to rest. I’ll stay and keep Aunt company,” Victoria said with a concerned look.
At that moment, a nurse walked in to change Elowen’s IV and sternly said, “Family members shouldn’t stay too long and disturb the patient.”
“Alright, we’ll leave soon,” Emily responded, taking David’s arm. “Dad, let’s go back. We can’t do much here and might disturb Elowen’s recovery.”
David hesitated for a moment but was eventually persuaded to leave by Emily’s persistence.
The room quickly quieted down, leaving only Elowen lying in bed and Victoria sitting beside her.
“You two are really good actors,” Elowen sneered.
Victoria elegantly sat by the bed, adjusting Elowen’s IV drip speed. Casually, she said, “Aunt, you’re too kind. We’re all the same. Carrying a random child in your belly and pinning it on the vice mayor, your skills are truly impressive.”
Elowen’s eyes flashed with panic but quickly steadied. The child was already gone; even if Victoria knew, what could she do?
“Victoria, you can eat whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you want. Aren’t you afraid I’ll complain to your father about you slandering me?” Elowen said.
Victoria smiled. Elowen’s smug attitude was really quite annoying.
“Aunt, do you think you can be at ease after driving my mom out of the Harris family? Isabella is just using you. Once she gets rid of us, you’ll be her next target. Don’t forget, you’re no different from my mom-both of you are my dad’s mistresses.”
Elowen pressed her lips tightly, her face growing even paler.
“I know my dad’s character. Even for his career, he won’t marry you. You’re still young now, but in a few years, when he gets tired of you, you’ll be kicked out without a second thought. Instead of leaving in disgrace later, you should seize the benefits now while you’re still young and find a suitable man to marry. You’re smart enough to know what choice to make.”
“Victoria, it seems you want to buy me off,” Elowen smiled. “What price are you offering?”
Victoria smiled, holding out her hand. Five million-an amount that would be significant for Elowen. Even if she sold herself for ten years, she wouldn’t make that much.
“You’re quite generous, but I need to think about it,” Elowen said, not giving Victoria a clear answer.
Victoria nodded, unperturbed. At this moment, it was all about who could remain calm the longest.
Having said her piece, Victoria stood up. “Aunt, take your time to think it over. Let me know when you decide. I won’t disturb your rest anymore.”
With that, she picked up her luggage and gracefully left.
As the door closed, Elowen forced herself to sit up, picked up the phone on the bedside table, and dialed Isabella’s number.
Victoria wanted to buy off Elowen, but Elowen wasn’t foolish. Their relationship was one of mutual destruction, so Victoria couldn’t have good intentions.
As for Isabella, she might not like her and might even look down on her. But with Eleanor dead, Elowen felt there was no direct conflict of interest with Isabella, making a temporary alliance possible.