Chapter 349:

Lanny and Glenda arrived at the hospital, navigating the inpatient wing. Mabel's voice suddenly caught their attention. Glenda instinctively clutched her head, realizing she'd forgotten about Mabel amidst the chaos.

Mabel, terrified and crying uncontrollably, sat alone by a window, her distress attracting the attention of passersby. Tears streaming down her face, Glenda rushed to the window and took Mabel's hand. "Honey, don't cry. I'll find a way to get you out."

Seeing Glenda, Mabel cried louder. "Mom, the food is terrible, and my body hurts. Elyse refused to help me, claiming she isn't my sister anymore."

Glenda's expression shifted from sadness to stunned disbelief. The comforting words she'd intended to speak caught in her throat. "Mom, is it true what she said? Is she really not my sister? Then where is my real sister? Can she save me?" Mabel's voice was choked with sadness, her hope pinned on her older sister's rescue.

Embarrassed, Glenda released Mabel's hand. "I'll tell you later. Your father and I have something else to handle right now."

Mabel was shocked, her tears subsiding momentarily. "Mom, what could be more important than me right now? Aren't you going to try to get me out? Are you still my mother?"

Lanny remained silent, his gaze fixed on impatient bodyguards. "Stop talking. We need to get down to business and go," he scolded, grabbing Glenda's arm.

Glenda hesitated, her eyes on Mabel. She didn't want to leave, but felt she had no choice. Mabel's devastation hit her like a bolt of lightning. Did her parents no longer want her? Overwhelmed by despair, Mabel cried louder, her sobs attracting even more attention.

In the VIP single ward, Elyse sat in a daze when the door swung open, and two bodyguards ushered in Lanny and Glenda. Glenda attempted an emotional appeal, tears in her eyes. "Honey, what's wrong with you? You look so pale."

"I look pale because I now know you're not my biological parents," Elyse replied, her voice flat. The warmth in her eyes had vanished, replaced by indifference.

Glenda felt the growing distance between them, realizing any attempt at reconciliation would be met with Elyse's coldness, a sting that renewed itself with each interaction. Holding back tears, Glenda managed an awkward smile, unconsciously rubbing her hands. "Even if the report says we're not mother and daughter, haven't I raised you all these years? I am like a mother to you in any case."

Instead of responding, Elyse turned to Lanny, who had remained silent. She offered him a distant smile, highlighting the gulf between them. "Do you think she has ever been like a mother to me?" Elyse asked.

Caught off guard, Lanny opened his mouth to respond but found himself speechless. They had raised her to adulthood, yet had never truly acted as caring parents. In fact, the benefits they'd derived from her far outweighed their efforts. Lanny hadn't anticipated Elyse discovering they weren't biologically related. He had used her and caused her pain. Now, with the truth revealed, he regretted not being a better father, fearing recent events had disheartened her to the point of rejecting them as her parents.

Tears welled in his eyes as he faced this harsh reality. "I didn't expect you to find out. We are indeed monsters. We've never really been kind to you."

"I knew I wasn't your biological child, so you hurt me and took advantage of me. I can understand that," Elyse said coldly. "But where are my biological parents?"

Glenda and Lanny exchanged a worried glance. The question they'd most feared had finally been asked.