Chapter 196

Lanny went to the Psychiatry Department seeking information but left empty-handed. After finally learning the old woman's whereabouts, he still didn't know her current location. Maintaining a poker face, he headed to the Inpatient Department.

Upon arriving at the ward, Mabel greeted him warmly. Forcing a smile, Lanny approached her bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked, casually picking up her medical report from the bedside table and beginning to read it.

Seeing him, Mabel seized her opportunity. Clutching him tightly, she said in a choked voice, "Dad, I've missed you so much! I thought I'd never see you again." Glenda, observing Mabel's performance, feigned wiping away tears, silently impressed by her daughter's acting.

Lanny, as expected, was moved. He patted Mabel's back and sighed, "It's all over now. You're home safe." Mabel showered him with affection, melting away his earlier dissatisfaction.

Once Mabel fell asleep, Lanny took Glenda out of the ward. "What's going on? Why the secrecy?" Glenda asked, puzzled.

"I saw the old woman; she's in a nursing home, but I don't know which one," Lanny said urgently. "You need to find out. We have to track her down, or everything we've worked for will be ruined."

Taken aback, Glenda asked, "But why didn't you kill her when you had the chance, instead of putting her in a psychiatric hospital?"

Lanny, barely containing his anger, lowered his voice. "I wanted to, but someone else knew what happened that year. That person disappeared. I kept the old woman as bait, hoping that person would return."

Glenda hesitated. "But isn't that person likely dead since we've heard nothing?" she ventured.

"No way. I have a feeling she's still alive," Lanny said, his eyes flashing with determination. "Regardless, we have to find that old woman."

Glenda hesitated. Seeing her reluctance, Lanny sneered, "If you don't act, things will get worse. You and your daughter will lose your comfortable lifestyle. No more shopping sprees; it'll be a one-way ticket to jail."

The thought of jail widened Glenda's eyes. That was unacceptable. She couldn't go to jail, and neither could her daughter. Glenda relented, "Fine, I'll try my best. But you need to be more involved."

"Of course," he said, his sneer still evident. "I'll dig into it."

Glenda couldn't help but complain, "If only you'd sent Elyse away. Keeping her was a huge mistake and a major liability."

"No use dwelling on that now," Lanny said, a ferocious look flashing in his eyes. He wouldn't hesitate to eliminate Elyse if necessary. He wasn't about to give up his comfortable life.

After showering, Elyse lay in bed. Hearing the door open, she quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. The room was dim; the only sound was the faint roll of a wheelchair. The closer it got, the faster her heart raced.

"I know you're not asleep," Jayden said, amused, as he climbed into bed.

Elyse opened her eyes in surprise. "I was asleep. Why did you wake me?"

"You can go back to sleep later," Jayden replied. He pulled her close, and they kissed. His hands roamed her body. When he reached her breasts, he began to fondle them.

With every touch, her heart raced. She could only hold his head and look at him pitifully. "Jayden, please stop," she pleaded softly.

But Jayden buried his head in her chest. "Let me enjoy this," he said hoarsely, his desire evident.

She sensed a change in Jayden; he was more attentive than ever. With no choice, Elyse submitted.

But as he continued, she wondered how a disabled man like Jayden was so dominant. Lost in thought, she lowered her head. Jayden gently lifted her chin. "You're making a mistake," he said meaningfully.

Confused, she met his gaze, noticing a sudden, intense change in him. ... ... ...