In the attic, Mrs. Laurel sat before Virginia, her face etched with sorrow. Tears filled her eyes as she sighed deeply. “Virginia, we’re all so unlucky. Alan and Peter are both still in the hospital, and now you’ve ended up like this, leaving me, an old woman, to face that demon alone.”

Her voice trembled. “I’m getting too old for this. I don’t have the strength to handle everything anymore. It feels like all the family’s resources and industries are slipping into that demon’s grasp. What am I supposed to do…?”

Virginia sat silently, clutching a doll, her eyes vacant and unresponsive.

Mrs. Laurel wiped her tears and attempted to stand, but her knees, still sore from an earlier fall, caused her to struggle slightly. She winced but pushed through the pain as she slowly rose.

Hayley’s POV:

I was stunned stepping into the room. “Ma’am, why are you here?” I asked, staring at the elderly woman in disbelief. The sweet old lady I had helped just an hour ago was here, in the Sanders’ residence. What was going on?

She looked equally surprised initially, but her expression quickly shifted. Her demeanor turned cold, and she sharply questioned, “Why are you here?”

Caught off guard, I replied honestly, “Ms. Sander invited me.”

Her face darkened. “So, you’re a spy sent by that demon! Get out of here!” she shouted angrily.

“Ma’am, you’ve misunderstood…” I tried to explain, but she cut me off with a glare.

“Misunderstood? There’s no misunderstanding! That demon sent you to approach me, didn’t he? I thought you were kind when you helped me, but it turns out you’re just part of his scheme. Get out! I don’t want to see you again!”

Her voice rose as she gestured towards the door, refusing to listen. Seeing her so agitated, I reluctantly turned to leave, but before I could reach the door, Virginia sprang up and threw her arms around me.

“Michelle! My Michelle is back! Michelle is back!” she cried, clinging tightly.

The sudden outburst made Mrs. Laurel even more furious. “Virginia, stop this nonsense! Come back to your senses! There’s no Michelle—she’s dead, long dead! She is a spy sent by that demon!” she said, coughing violently, her voice shaking with anger.

“No, no! Michelle isn’t dead! She’s here, right here. This Michelle!” Virginia insisted, her grip tightening.

Mrs. Laurel, clearly overwhelmed, began coughing uncontrollably. She raised a trembling hand towards me, as if trying to say something, but before she could, her legs gave out, and she collapsed in front of me.

“Ma’am!” I shouted, rushing to catch her. Supporting her carefully, I asked, “How are you feeling?” gently patting her back.

After a while, her breathing steadied, and her condition seemed to improve slightly, but she abruptly pushed me away. “Don’t touch me!” she snapped.

I looked at her calmly. “There must be some misunderstanding here. But misunderstandings can always be resolved in time.” I paused. “Right now, your health is what matters most. Please don’t get too worked up. Your foot is injured, and you need proper rest. If you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave.”

Taking a step back, I turned, but before I could leave, Virginia grabbed my clothes tightly, her eyes desperate. “No! Don’t go! Michelle, please don’t leave! Mom is here—Mom is here!” she cried, shaking her head frantically and refusing to let go.

As Mrs. Laurel watched, she collapsed to the ground in anger, throwing her hands up in despair. “Oh my God, what have I done!” she muttered.

I hadn’t expected the situation to spiral so quickly. Just then, the sound of the door creaking open behind me broke the tense atmosphere.