Chapter 288:

The elderly woman remained silent, her gaze fixed on her phone, in response to Jayden’s question. But when her eyes fell on Glenda, her expression changed to one of shock.

“Glenda! Give back my daughter! Give her back!” she cried, her voice cracking as she snatched the phone from Jayden, tears streaming down her face.

Jayden watched in astonishment as the woman clutched the phone, her gaze accusingly fixed on Glenda. Approaching cautiously, he asked, “Your daughter? I can help you find her. What’s her name?”

A glimmer of hope flickered in the woman’s eyes. “Can you truly help me find her?” she asked tentatively.

Jayden nodded reassuringly. “Absolutely.”

After a moment, she said softly, “My daughter’s name is Janet Lawrence.”

“Alright,” Jayden affirmed, “I’ll help you locate her.”

Suddenly, the woman gripped Jayden’s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears. “Find my daughter and keep her safe. Someone wants to kill her, and I can’t let them find her. Otherwise, they’ll…” Her voice faltered, overcome by another wave of tears.

Jayden waited patiently until she had somewhat composed herself, then gently asked, “Who wants to harm your daughter?”

With a trembling finger, she pointed at the phone, where Glenda’s face appeared on the screen. Anguish etched on her features, she seemed reluctant to speak. With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes and whispered, “Murderer. She’s a murderer. She killed my daughter.”

Stunned by the accusation, Jayden, unsure of its validity, quickly took the phone from her trembling hand, concerned that the video might further agitate her. He gestured to a nearby nurse, who approached and gently guided the elderly woman back to her room to rest.

As she followed the nurse, the woman paused, a sudden curiosity gleaming in her eyes as she turned back to Jayden. “Young man, what’s your name?” she asked, her voice gentle but urgent.

Jayden, surprised—it was the first time she’d asked—replied, “Jayden Owen.”

“Jayden,” she repeated softly, a hint of nostalgia in her tone. Then, with a wistful smile, she said, “It’s a good name.”

She paused, her gaze fixed on Jayden. “Are you Elyse’s husband?”

“Yes, I am,” Jayden affirmed, nodding. Unbeknownst to him, a subtle warmth softened his usually stoic demeanor. The elderly woman smiled—a rare sight.

“Then you must take good care of her. She’s had a challenging life. Don’t let her suffer.”

Before Jayden could respond, he noticed a remarkable change in the woman’s eyes—they were clear, her sanity seemingly restored.

However, the moment was fleeting. Her eyes darkened, and she faltered, needing the nurse’s support to leave.

Tobin, noticing the change, exclaimed, “She’s back to her senses!”

Recalling the doctor’s earlier explanation, Jayden retrieved his phone and played the video of Glenda. “The doctor mentioned she might experience a temporary lucid state after a stimulus.”

Tobin was taken aback. “But Glenda was the one who triggered her. Does that mean Glenda caused her mental illness?”

“I’m not certain, but we can’t rule out the possibility,” Jayden replied thoughtfully. His phone vibrated; it was Driscoll.

Answering urgently, he heard Driscoll’s relieved voice. “Thank goodness, Mr. Owen, you answered. Mrs. Owen saw the news online and fainted. We’re at the hospital now.”

Jayden’s brow furrowed with concern. “What happened?”

Driscoll quickly briefed Jayden and sent him the hospital address.

Without delay, Jayden left the nursing home and hurried to the hospital. He found Elyse unconscious. Peyton, by her bedside, was absorbed in his notebook. Noticing Jayden, he said frustratedly, “Your wife collapsed. Why did it take you so long to get here?”

Ignoring Peyton’s accusatory tone, Jayden approached Elyse, deeply concerned by her pallid complexion. “Is she going to be alright?”

Peyton explained, “She merely fainted. However, the excessive sleeping pills she took yesterday, combined with lack of rest and recent stress, overwhelmed her.”

Jayden sighed. “I’ve tried to persuade her to stay home and rest, but she refused.”

Peyton gently nudged Jayden. “You really need to take better care of her.”