Chapter 603

Glenda recoiled, her body visibly shaking. "How could you be so heartless?" she gasped, disbelieving. "You weren't like this before, Elyse. You used to be kind and caring. But now, look at you!"

Elyse found Glenda's words ridiculous. "What has kindness ever achieved for me?" she snapped. "It has only enabled your family to exploit me."

Glenda's eyes widened as she glared at Elyse. "Are you threatening me?"

Elyse's light, breezy tone sharply contrasted with Glenda's tension. "A life for a life," she said calmly. "You and your family will feel the pain my parents suffered."

Glenda watched Elyse with a grim expression, her thoughts and motives unreadable.

Irving, unable to watch any longer, grabbed Elyse's arm, pulling her protectively behind him.

Mabel sat up suddenly, her eyes fixed on Elyse with intense hatred, as if she wanted to tear Elyse apart.

Elyse regarded Mabel with disdain, considering her insignificant, foolish, and spiteful. She gave a dismissive look at both Glenda and Mabel before turning and walking away.

After Elyse left, Mabel's anger boiled over, but Glenda restrained her. "What's wrong with you, Mom?"

Glenda looked around the room before slowly standing. She led Mabel into the bathroom, her voice low.

"You need to go home now. There's an orange Hermès bag in the closet of my bedroom. Open the secret compartment inside; you'll find a bank card. It's emergency money I've been saving. I planned to use it to take you away after my divorce, but I don't think I'll have that chance now."

Shock and confusion registered on Mabel's face. "Mom, what are you talking about?" she asked, her voice quivering.

Glenda's voice firmed, her expression stern. "I have a dozen other designer bags," she stated sharply. "Take them all and sell them. Use the money and get as far away as possible."

"Elyse is out for revenge," she warned, her voice icy. "She's targeting us."

Mabel was disbelieving. "Revenge? Sure, we weren't exactly caring, but she's relied on our family for decades. What does she have to seek revenge for?"

Glenda looked at her daughter with mixed feelings. "You're so innocent," she said gently.

Glenda knew Elyse was determined to avenge her parents—a truth she chose not to disclose to Mabel. The past should remain hidden. Even if Mabel knew everything she had consumed or worn came from Elyse's parents' fortune, it wouldn't change anything. In Glenda's view, her daughter deserved life's luxuries.

"Take the money and leave," Glenda insisted, trying to remain calm. "Don't worry about me."

Mabel felt uneasy, sensing a subtle goodbye. She frowned, puzzled. "Mom, what's going on? Why are you so scared of Elyse? She's not as threatening as she seems."

Glenda shook her head, her face showing resignation. She understood the situation's severity better than Mabel, realizing Elyse's threats were serious. It was clear to Glenda that Elyse had discovered the truth from Morgan, and they were now working together against their family.

Cornered, Glenda realized she couldn't run. She had to face this with Lanny. If she fled and Lanny failed to kill Janet, Elyse would still imprison her. Taking Mabel would only endanger her daughter further. Mabel's safest option was to escape alone.

Noticing Mabel's hesitation, Glenda became more urgent, her voice tinged with desperation. "Mabel, you have to listen to me! Do you understand?"

Mabel, with a furrowed brow, finally nodded.

Glenda sighed in relief. "Remember this carefully," she instructed. "The PIN for the bank card is your birthday. Use the money wisely. Find a place where no one knows you, and don't worry about me."

Mabel still didn't grasp the gravity of their predicament. "Mom, stop talking like that. I'm just going to sell those bags. This money will help you and Dad get a divorce. We'll both be better off without him!"

Glenda knew a divorce from Lanny was impossible, but to ease Mabel's departure and calm her, she deceived her.

"Go ahead," she said. "I'll discuss the divorce with your father after I leave the hospital, and once everything is sorted out, I'll come find you."

Mabel sighed, relieved. "Mom, I'm so relieved you see it now. I've been telling you to leave Dad for so long, but you wouldn't listen. You finally see what kind of person he is."