Chapter 523

Mabel stood stunned, slowly processing what she'd just heard. Turning stiffly to face the weeping Glenda, she asked, her voice trembling, "Did Dad really tell you to kill someone? Why did you listen to him? He didn't want to do it himself, so he sent you? How could he?"

Glenda, her hand over her mouth, shook her head in agony. Sobbing, she managed, "No, I didn't… I didn't kill anyone. All I did was remove that old woman's oxygen mask. She's still alive."

Mabel was caught off guard. Her mother had attempted murder, instigated by her father. Struggling to comprehend this, she paused before pressing further. "Mom, why would you do that? Does Dad have something against that woman? Have you both lost your minds? Why? Please, tell me!"

Jayden laughed. "Your mom won't disclose her reasons, or your dad's for wanting that woman dead. So, she's staying with us for a few days."

Desperately, Mabel implored, "Mom, please stop crying. Do you want to be trapped here forever? Don't you want to go home? Don't you want to live with us again?"

But Glenda continued to weep, unresponsive.

Jayden observed, "Your mom's love for your dad is palpable. She's probably protecting him. What a touching love story! Sadly, it means you might lose her."

This heightened Mabel's anxiety. Lanny was far less important than Glenda; she'd rather see him imprisoned than lose her mother.

As Mabel pressed Glenda, Elyse sensed a hidden secret. Tilting her head, she whispered to Jayden, "They were desperate to eliminate Dorothy. There must be other motives. Mabel's been questioning her for minutes, yet Glenda refuses to reveal anything."

Jayden grunted noncommittally.

Elyse continued, "Glenda knelt before me. I felt she was entrusting her daughter to my care."

Jayden nodded. "She's ready to take the fall for Lanny. But it might not be just about Dorothy. I guess Dorothy knew their secret, prompting them to want her dead."

Elyse scratched her head. "What secret are they hiding?"

"They committed a murder. Dorothy knew, so they wanted her gone too," Jayden explained calmly.

"Who did they kill? Dorothy never mentioned it," Elyse probed.

Jayden shook his head. "No, she didn't."

Elyse pondered the Lloyd couple's concealed secret.

Meanwhile, Glenda's patience was wearing thin. Exasperated, she burst out, "I don't know! Really, I don't. Why don't you ask your dad? He's the schemer, not me. I'm the fall guy. Got it?"

Frustrated and anxious, Mabel stamped her foot. "Mom, please! Just tell them what you know. I don't want them locking you up. I want you to come home with me."

An idea struck her. She turned to Elyse. "If I bring my dad here, will you let my mom go?"

Jayden nodded. "Sure. Bring your dad to explain why he orchestrated the crime. I'm willing to help keep your mom out of prison, despite her complicity."

Mabel was unsure of Lanny's whereabouts but believed Glenda knew. Holding her mother's hands, she pleaded, "Mom, you have to know where Dad is hiding, right? Help us find him, confess, and you won't go to jail."

Glenda, biting her lip, remained silent.

Mabel felt a wave of desperation. "Why are you so determined to cover for him? Are you really ready to throw away your life? To give up on me?"

Glenda, irritated, pushed Mabel, stunning her. Wearily, she said, "I need to think about it."