Chapter 679:

“Move!” Brian spat, his voice urgent.

Thea’s face twisted in anger, but she controlled herself. “Grandma said Elyse should be locked up for three days with no food, to teach her a lesson. You can’t disobey Grandma.”

As Thea spoke, she glanced at Elyse. Elyse’s eyes were tightly shut, her face pale and drawn, but otherwise, she seemed unharmed.

Thea sneered. “She’s missed only one meal and is already acting like she’s dying. Who’s she fooling? Uncle Brian, put her down, or Grandma will be mad.”

Brian’s eyes narrowed. “I told you, don’t call me uncle. I want nothing to do with you.”

Thea opened her mouth to protest, but Brian brushed past her, carrying Elyse out the door and to the hospital.

At the hospital, Brian was relieved when the doctor confirmed Elyse only had a low fever. But his relief turned to horror when they discovered a ten-centimeter bloody wound on her back, the flesh raw and exposed.

Rage consumed Brian when he learned his own family was responsible. His hands shook as he dialed Pearce’s number.

Pearce didn’t answer, so Brian kept calling, his anger growing with each unanswered ring.

Ten minutes later, Pearce finally answered.

“Hey, Dad. Are you home? I just finished a meeting. Where are you? I’ll come to you.”

Grinding his teeth, Brian hissed, “Where am I? I’m at the hospital! Get here and take care of Elyse!”

Pearce was baffled. How had Elyse ended up in the hospital? Everything seemed fine when he last saw her. Nevertheless, he rushed to the hospital and found Elyse in a miserable state.

“I just went to a meeting, and in that short time, they dared to hurt Elyse?” he exclaimed.

“Didn’t I tell you to take care of her before my trip?” Brian scolded, his face contorted with anger. “You promised, so I left her with you. Now look!”

His eyes dark with gloom, he continued, “I leave again tomorrow night. Can you protect Elyse then?”

Pearce pursed his lips. After making calls to investigate, he gritted his teeth. “It was Thea. She and her father haven’t given up on seizing power.”

After checking Elyse’s IV drip, Brian took a deep breath and regained his composure. “Your grandmother plans to distribute her shares—she owns 45% of the company. If Thea and her father get them, they’ll have a powerful voice in the family and company.”

Pearce sank into the chair next to Elyse’s bed, running his fingers through his hair. “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought Elyse back—not now,” he mumbled.

Brian shook his head. “Don’t overthink it. We brought Elyse back to reunite her with family, not to pit her against Thea for your grandmother’s inheritance.”

“But Thea sees Elyse as a threat,” Pearce protested. “She went too far.”

Brian frowned, weariness in his voice. “Haven’t you noticed? Thea only bullies Elyse because your grandmother approves.”

“But why? Elyse did nothing wrong. Grandma dislikes her, but to allow this mistreatment?” Pearce’s agitation grew at Felicia’s coldness towards Elyse.

. . .