Chapter 25

“Mom, don’t say that. It’s not Elysia’s fault; it’s mine,” Emma insisted.

Bella caught a glimpse of Emma’s pale expression as she defended Elysia. A surge of anger coursed through Bella. She turned to Elysia. “See how Emma cares about you? Is this how a younger sister should behave?”

Elysia smirked at the two of them standing by the second-floor railing. “I may not fit the mold of a typical younger sister, but at least I’m not trying to hurt anyone.” With that, she breezed past them and headed downstairs.

Elysia entered Sivro First Hospital with the bank card Scott had given her. Yuna had dug up information about the waiter, so she was here now.

The waiter’s name was David Wright, and his mother was battling a serious tumor requiring expensive surgery. That’s why David had given in to Emma’s demands. Unfortunately, Emma hadn’t kept her side of the deal.

Elysia chuckled. “If Emma won’t pay, then I will.” After all, David needed the money to save his mother, and she could use a favor from him.

After asking for the room number at the front desk, Elysia went to Room 211. She peeked through the glass but didn’t see David inside, so she opened the door and entered.

A woman with gray-streaked hair lay in the hospital bed, looking exhausted. She appeared to be in her fifties. When she saw Elysia, she managed a weak smile. “You are…”

“I’m David’s friend. I heard you were unwell and wanted to check in on you,” Elysia said, taking a seat.

The woman looked at Elysia kindly. “Oh, you’re a friend of David’s. But I don’t think I’ve met you before.”

“David and I just met a few days ago, so it’s my first time visiting you.”

“You’re really beautiful,” the woman admired.

Elysia grinned. “I bet you were quite the beauty in your younger days, too.”

Just then, David walked in carrying a kettle of hot water. Seeing Elysia, he panicked, loosening his grip and sending the kettle crashing to the floor, spilling water everywhere.

His mother frowned. “Why are you being so clumsy?”

“Just slipped my hand,” David quickly said, trying to appear calm. The moment he entered and saw Elysia, he recognized her.

What’s she doing here? Is she trying to settle a score with me? he thought nervously.

Elysia noticed his nervousness and teased, “I’m just here to see your mother. Why are you so on edge?”

David chuckled awkwardly. He had no idea what she was up to. The best plan was to talk to her alone. If he let her stay too long, he couldn’t keep yesterday’s accident under wraps.

He pointed to the broken kettle. “I’ll go grab some tools to clean this up,” he said, then turned to Elysia. “Want to go with me?”

Elysia nodded, and David felt a wave of relief.

Once outside the hospital room, instead of getting tools, they found a quiet corner. “So, what do you really want?” David asked in a low voice.

“Like I said, I’m just checking on your mother,” Elysia replied.

David didn’t believe her and mumbled, “If this is about yesterday, I’ll take the blame. Just keep my mother out of it.”

“You’re pretty filial,” Elysia remarked, pulling a card from her bag and handing it to him. “This card has $150,000 on it. Use it for your mother’s surgery.”

David stared at the card, shocked. He realized what was happening. “What do you want from me?” he asked.

“Smart guy,” Elysia said flatly. “I need you to help me identify Emma.”

Elena’s video could serve as proof, but it had too many unclear parts. She needed someone who could explain the whole situation—David.

David felt torn. While Emma wasn’t reliable, after yesterday, he wanted nothing to do with these people.

But if he rejected Elysia’s offer, how would he afford the surgery? He’d already asked every relative he could think of, and no one could lend him more money.

Since his mother’s illness, he’d been on the brink of despair. But now, Elysia’s appearance offered a glimmer of hope—a hope that was fading. He felt stuck.

“Your mother’s illness can’t wait,” Elysia said, snapping David out of his thoughts.

“She’s right. Why am I hesitating? It’s just giving a statement, right? How could that be harder than wrecking someone’s life?” He quickly snatched the card. “When do you need me to do this?”

“No rush. We still need to wait a bit longer,” Elysia replied, turning to walk away.

David stared at the card, repeatedly telling himself he’d do whatever it took to save his mother.

Meanwhile, when Elysia returned to the Rosewood residence, she spotted Scott waving, a huge grin on his face. “Elysia, come here quick.”

Elysia raised an eyebrow, confused. She walked into the living room and saw a middle-aged stranger on the couch, someone Scott seemed eager to impress.

Scott pointed at Elysia and introduced her. “Mr. Hayes, this is Elysia, my second daughter.”

Mr. Hayes? Elysia frowned, realizing he was Selena’s father. Wow, Mr. Hayes has strong genes.

“Ms. Rosewood, I’m Selena’s father. I’m here to offer the Hayes family’s apology,” Sean said sincerely.

Elysia understood his motives. Yuna’s visit must have raised their suspicions about her. Now they were trying to connect with her, hoping she’d help them with Arcanum House later. How scheming!

Before Elysia could respond, Scott intervened. “Mr. Hayes, you’re too kind. It’s just some harmless fun between kids, no need for a personal visit.”

When Scott first heard Sean was coming, he felt anxious, thinking he might cause trouble. Everyone knew Selena was his favorite.

Given yesterday’s events, if Selena complained, the Hayes family would likely defend her. Scott had been upset about the chaos caused by his daughters and planned to scold them.

However, Sean’s purpose surprised him. He hadn’t expected an apology to Elysia. It was shocking—how had the Rosewood family earned such respect?

Sean looked at Scott, irritation in his voice. “Mr. Rosewood, I’m apologizing to Elysia, not you.”