Chapter 297

The first person Thea thought of was herself. After all, she alone bore the brunt of Ivy's malice.

Seeing Thea's self-deprecation, Nicolas tightened his grip on her. "Technology is advanced. Even if Duncan and Emmalie believe no one knew what they did, the police will uncover everything." According to the latest police report, Emmalie, overwhelmed, had revealed some information, claiming innocence.

Thea was beyond caring. She stared blankly at the closed operating room door, her eyes blazing with anger. "Some people ignore the police, believing they can get away with anything," she said coldly, standing guard, unwavering.

Max, upon hearing the news, couldn't shirk responsibility. Staggering to the operating room door, he cried, "Mom! You raised us, suffered so much, and never knew happiness. Now that I'm successful, I could give you a better life. How could you leave us?"

His lament garnered praise; many lauded his filial piety. Conversely, Thea's cold demeanor drew scorn; she was condemned as heartless.

She sneered. "She's not dead yet. Why the premature mourning?"

Max epitomized feigned filial piety. Had Ivy truly died accidentally, he would have orchestrated a grand funeral. The irony wasn't lost on Thea.

Max, stung by her mockery, eyes bloodshot, ignored Nicolas. "You beast! You always blamed Mom and us for favoritism, but have you considered your own cold-bloodedness? You're nothing like Emmalie. Perhaps you tried to kill Mom."

"Our biggest mistake was raising a monster like you. You never helped our family in times of crisis," he raged.

With Ivy in trouble and Duncan and Emmalie jailed, Max was suffocating under public pressure, desperate to blame Thea. He raised his hand to strike her, but Nicolas restrained his wrist. The two men, of similar height, made the power imbalance clear.

"Mr. Rowland, accusations require evidence," Nicolas stated, a slight curl to his lips. "Is Thea's presence here a mere excuse to shift blame?"

Nicolas's imposing presence nearly suffocated Max, sobering him. His face paled. "Mr. Hendrix, that's not what I meant."

"Then I hope you refrain from such accusations. As a CEO, you're accountable for your words and actions," Nicolas sneered, his threat clear. "Unless you want Rowland Group to cease to exist." Max fell silent. With Nicolas present, he couldn't touch Thea.

"Nicolas, let him go," Thea said coldly. "Ivy's son has traveled far; let's not create further animosity."

The operating room door opened. A weary doctor emerged. Everyone held their breath.

The doctor sighed. "Which of you is family? I regret to inform you, the wound was too deep. She's gone."

Thea was stunned. Ivy had done wrong, but she was an extraordinary woman to raise four children alone. She might not have been a good mother, but she had given Thea life.

Tears welled. "She's gone? What do you mean? Doctor, was the patient Ivy? She was healthy. How could this…," she trailed off, legs weak. Nicolas steadied her.

Max, calmer than expected, contacted the funeral home and police. Duncan and Emmalie's release for the funeral was now justified. They mourned, sincerely or not, Emmalie even fainting repeatedly. Thea watched coldly.

Snapping out of her daze, she whispered to Nicolas, "Let's go." She preferred finding Ivy's killer to watching their charade.

As they left, Emmalie blocked their path. Weak but determined, she said, "Thea, I know you resented me. But if you have grievances, target me. Why harm Mom?" She planned to frame Thea.

Before Thea could respond, Emmalie struck. "Doctors, nurses, even security footage show you were the last to enter Mom's ward. Something happened immediately after you left. You killed your mother!"

There were no cameras in the ward, only the corridor. Emmalie's accusation rang out. This would ruin Thea, morally and legally.

Thea's eyes narrowed. She grabbed Emmalie's hand. "What? I was last in the ward? Where's the caregiver?" The caregiver had been constantly present.

Thea's grip hurt Emmalie. Duncan intervened. "Must you resort to violence? Not content with killing Mom, you want to kill Emmalie too? You're inhumane!" Nicolas's presence silenced the accusations.

"Didn't the cameras capture the caregiver?" Thea asked.