Chapter 296

Thea finally went to the hospital. Following Max's instructions, she found Ivy lying in a hospital bed. The Rowland family could still afford Ivy's top-notch medical care, but apart from a caregiver, Ivy had no family with her.

When Thea opened the door, Ivy’s stiff reply was, "How how dare you still come here?" The disgust in her voice stung Thea. Thea chuckled nonchalantly. "If I hadn't come, I'm afraid no one would have cared if you died here. Do you believe that?"

Ivy's life had been pathetic. She doted on Emmalie, who wasn't her biological daughter. Of Ivy's four children, only Thea, her least favorite, had visited. Ivy, of course, was far from satisfied.

Her eyes blazing with hatred, Ivy mumbled, "If you hadn't framed Emmalie and Duncan, forcing them to take the blame for you at the police station, would I be in this predicament? Thea, I order you to bail them out now!"

Ivy's words extinguished the last embers of Thea's love. A cold smile touched Thea's lips. "Mrs. Rowland, I can't. They were arrested for illegal activities. The police alone decide their fate, and clearly, they believe they're guilty."

Pausing, Thea glanced at Ivy's distorted face. "Besides, I think Duncan would gladly stay in the station with his dear sister, wouldn't he? You know how Duncan feels about Emmalie, don't you?" Ivy's heart clenched. She knew, but refused to admit it.

Since Emmalie joined the Rowland family, Duncan had treated her exceptionally. Ivy had even suspected Emmalie was more important to Duncan than she was. When they were younger, Ivy had rationalized their closeness as sibling affection. But as they grew older, she saw the adoration in Duncan's eyes whenever he looked at Emmalie.

Despite secretly arranging for Max to send Duncan overseas to end their inappropriate relationship, Duncan only became more obsessed upon returning home.

Tears welled in Ivy's eyes. "Thea, do you want to anger me to death? They're your siblings! Do you want them tortured in the police station?"

"I've been in the police station," Thea sneered. "The treatment's fine; certainly not the harsh conditions you describe, Mrs. Rowland."

She thought: "When I was detained, no one from the Rowland family showed up. They were probably gloating. Now Ivy's trying to manipulate me?"

Thea could sympathize with others, but not the Rowlands.

She started to leave, then stopped. "Mrs. Rowland, I see no sign of the cerebral infarction you mentioned. That's good. Let me remind you: Duncan is my biological brother, but do you know why he feels that way about Emmalie?"

Thea didn’t directly answer, wanting Ivy to ponder it. Before her visit, Thea had hoped for a reconciliation, but their conversation devolved into mutual attacks.

"Thea, what nonsense! Are you only satisfied if I die of anger?!" Ivy's hysterical scream trailed off.

"Die of anger? Don't worry, Mrs. Rowland. I won't be an eyesore again. Live well. One day, knowing the truth, you’ll regret your choices. Being your daughter was my biggest mistake." Thea left the ward, ignoring the commotion.

In the corridor, she clung to the handrail, struggling to walk. This wasn't their first major falling out, but this time, Thea felt utterly empty.

Walking aimlessly, she heard shouts.

"Murder! Help!"

"Security!"

"A stabbing in ward V888! All operating rooms and security, prepare!"

Ward V888? Thea's eyes darkened. Ivy's ward.

Her legs felt heavy, but she forced herself toward the commotion.

Blood in a hospital wasn't unusual, but gasps filled the air as they saw Ivy lying in a pool of blood. Her internal organs were pierced; the attacker's hatred was evident.

The doctor said, "She's still conscious. We need to operate immediately."

Thea, barely registering the doctor's words, whispered, "Save her save my mother," the words seeming to come from afar.

Her feelings for Ivy were complex; she couldn't decide whether she loved or hated her more. But she couldn't bear to watch her die.

Thea lunged toward Ivy, wanting to staunch the bleeding, but security stopped her. "Please calm down. You can't help. Don't act impulsively."

Ivy was wheeled into surgery already unconscious. She'd never know her long-dismissed eldest daughter cried outside, begging for her life—just as Ivy had never shown Thea kindness.

Thea sat at the operating room door, losing track of time. No movement inside. Her eyes were empty.

Then, a warm embrace enveloped her.

Nicolas said, "What are you doing here?"

Chapter 297 (and further chapters) would follow here.