Chapter 871

Fifty-year-old Doctor Franklin adjusted his glasses and looked at Arianna. He remained calm, as if expecting her challenge. "Ms. Tanner, your uncle's situation was… unusual. He didn't require my permission to leave, nor was I authorized to discharge him."

"So, you're shirking responsibility?" Arianna asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Ms. Tanner, everything followed procedure. The family requested his discharge, and he consented. They signed the necessary waivers; there was nothing we could do to prevent it." He retrieved legal documents from a shelf, placing them on his desk.

Arianna quickly scanned the papers, noticing Stephanie's signature alongside her uncle's shaky scrawl. "How long ago did they leave?" she asked, her hands clenched on the desk.

"About two days ago," Franklin replied.

Two days ago?! Derrick's discharge preceded Damian's surrender. This seems connected.

"Who picked him up?" she pressed.

"We don't know. Many people visited him. Mr. Tanner had a large entourage. The Tanner family is prominent; your connections are extensive. It's unsurprising we didn't recognize everyone, wouldn't you agree?" Franklin's words held a subtle edge.

Arianna chose not to challenge him. After a moment, she asked, "Did my uncle say where he was going?"

Franklin smiled. "I don't know, but most discharged patients go home. Since you're concerned, Ms. Tanner, I suggest checking his residence."

Arianna nodded and stood. "Thank you, Doctor Franklin."

That sly fox is probably one of Uncle Derrick's accomplices! I doubt he told me the truth.

Despite her suspicions, Franklin's words prompted Arianna to check the Tanner residence. "Mom, let's go to Uncle Derrick's house." Leaving the hospital, they entered Arianna's car. She started the engine, but Eloise stopped her.

Eloise called someone. "Did they come home? Okay, I understand." She hung up. "Your uncle isn't home," she stated firmly. Arianna had forgotten her mother's close ties to the Tanner family. Eloise’s call had quickly clarified the situation.

If Uncle Derrick and Aunt Stephanie aren't home, where are they?

"Mom, since they've left the hospital and aren't home, this was planned. They're deceiving me," Arianna concluded.

"Don't jump to conclusions. Why would they deceive you? Did they know your intentions?" Eloise soothed, patting Arianna's hand. "Perhaps your uncle simply took precautions. And I'm curious about something else."

"What?"

"Your uncle... was he truly ill? Or was his illness a ruse?" Eloise sighed, reflecting on events at the hospital. "Was it all a plan?"

"If so, he's terrifying." Arianna shivered, remembering his feigned weakness, the emergency procedures, and Stephanie's tears. He'd even made a will; she'd disrespected him, believing him to be dying.