Chapter 563

Glenda, clutching cash, was on her way to the pharmacy for contraceptive pills when she encountered the foul-smelling Lanny. His level of intoxication was unclear, but his unsteady gait and boisterous demeanor suggested he was heavily drunk.

The sight of Lanny ignited Glenda's anger, dredging up painful memories of Mabel's ordeal. She swiftly approached him and slapped him hard across the face.

The slap seemed to sober Lanny slightly. He stared at her with deadly seriousness and growled, "Have you lost your mind? What's gotten into you?"

Infuriated, Glenda retorted, "How could you sell our daughter? Do you have any idea what she's been through? How could you be so heartless? She's your own flesh and blood!"

Lanny responded coldly, "I've cared for her for years, and now that I desperately need money, it's her turn to repay me." He added with disdain, "If you don't like that arrangement, we might as well end our marriage!"

Glenda's anger peaked. "You cruel man! Don't forget how you got your wealth!"

Unbeknownst to her, her words struck a nerve. A sinister smile slowly spread across Lanny's face, sending a shiver down Glenda's spine. His piercing eyes locked onto hers as he whispered menacingly, "I haven't forgotten, but have you?"

Fear washed over Glenda as memories of their dark past flooded her mind. Her expression betrayed their dreadful secret: they had murdered Elyse's parents.

Sensing her fear, Lanny threatened, his voice dripping with venom, "If you care about your daughter, you'll listen to me. Otherwise, she'll be left alone forever."

Glenda's heart pounded. Her mind raced to Janet. She looked around nervously, her voice trembling as she asked, "You can't be thinking of killing again, can you?"

"How can you sleep knowing Janet is still alive?" Lanny shot back.

Glenda's throat tightened with anxiety. That thought had tormented her ever since Janet's return.

After a tense silence, Glenda faced Lanny, her eyes reflecting the harsh reality ahead. In a hushed, resigned tone, she asked, "What will you do?"

"We need to find a way to kill her. I already know where she lives," Lanny replied, his gaze sharp and dangerous. "And once she's gone, Elyse will follow."

"She's under Jayden's protection. We don't stand a chance!" Glenda protested.

The coldness in Lanny's voice struck terror into Glenda's heart. She understood he wasn't just threatening; his desperation made him terrifyingly capable of murder.

A chilling smile played on Lanny's lips. "Lately, Elyse and Janet have been inseparable. Do you really think she doesn't know who murdered her parents? Her attitude towards us has changed completely. She has no respect for us anymore."

Glenda stubbornly resisted. "Maybe she's just in a bad mood," she countered weakly.

Lanny declared firmly, "I'm taking action tomorrow. You're coming with me. If I fail, your daughter's future will be ruined."

A silent fury, a slow-burning rage, began to consume Glenda. She picked up the medication, her mind a whirlwind on the way home.

After waking Mabel and giving her the medication, Glenda sat numbly beside her daughter, lost in thought. Her eyes eventually fell upon her small, hidden savings—barely enough to run away with Mabel. She almost immediately dismissed the idea.

They weren't used to hardship, and a fugitive life offered only misery. Their safest option seemed to be staying with Lanny and hoping for the best. A glimmer of hope remained that life could improve for her and Mabel.

As Mabel rested, her sleepy eyes noticed Glenda's distress. "Mom, what's wrong? Did Dad hurt you again?" she asked.

Glenda was deeply moved by her daughter's compassion. With a heavy heart, she confessed, "It's me who has failed you. I haven't been strong enough to protect you or give you the life you deserve."

"Mom, we have to leave," Mabel insisted firmly. "Dad is a monster, and we'll never be happy with him."

While Glenda desperately wanted to flee, fear paralyzed her. The prospect of a difficult life intimidated her. Living with Lanny, despite the agony, offered the security of their lavish home.

"Just be patient, my dear," Glenda whispered soothingly. "I promise you a life free from fear and pain."

Mabel sensed desperation in Glenda's assurance, and unease stirred within her. "What's going on, Mom? You shouldn't keep secrets from me," she pressed.

Glenda remained silent, stroking Mabel's hair. Her smile, a complex mix of affection and firm resolve, spoke volumes.

This cleaned-up version improves sentence structure, word choice, and flow, making the passage clearer and more impactful.