Chapter 34

That night, Cynthia couldn't sleep. Even after exhausting herself in bed, sleep eluded her. She got up and sat in a rattan chair on the balcony until dawn.

She was torn. Despite Lilian's years of cruelty, Cynthia had never tried to destroy her. After all, she had rescued Lilian from the depths of despair. But now, a chilling thought took root: "I will push you back into hell. Because that's where you truly belong."

As dawn broke, Cynthia called a number. "Mrs. Sheppard? Do you know Lilian is back?"

At eight o'clock, the TV station entrance bustled with activity. Cynthia's car was parked nearby. She soon noticed a haggard woman hunched over at the entrance—Lilian's mother, Sarah Sheppard. Dressed in rags, with unkempt hair, she looked like a beggar. Yet, her cruel eyes gleamed with greed as she watched people enter.

Finally, she saw Lilian. Sarah immediately grabbed her arm. "Lilian, it's really you! You ungrateful girl, how could you not tell us you're back?"

Lilian didn't recognize Sarah at first. But when she saw her mother's face clearly, terror filled her eyes. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

Sarah yanked Lilian's hair and began to punch and kick her. Despite her beggarly appearance, Sarah was surprisingly strong. She violently tugged Lilian's hair, throwing a tantrum.

"Everyone, look! See this ungrateful daughter! I worked hard to raise her, put her through college, and now she ignores me and her father, finding herself a rich boyfriend! Her father is bedridden, and she doesn't care! How heartless!" she yelled.

A crowd gathered. Some recognized Lilian and pulled the two women apart.

Undeterred, Sarah lay on the ground and continued her dramatic display. "My life is so hard! My daughter is so ungrateful! How can she be a host? She doesn't even care for her parents! Oh heavens, I labored for three days and nights giving birth to her. Had I known this, I might as well have drowned her!"

Lilian trembled, speechless. Deep-seated fear of her mother paralyzed her, although her eyes reflected a simmering hatred.

The onlookers watched, their expressions a mixture of sympathy and disdain, piercing Lilian deeply.

In a fit of hysteria, Lilian shouted, "I don't know her! She's crazy! I don't know her at all!"

Cynthia, calmly observing from her car, saw Lilian's breakdown. Indifferently, she put on her sunglasses and drove away.

Two hours later, Filip called. "Cynthia, get to the hospital now!"

"What's wrong?" Cynthia replied casually.

"Lilian is in critical condition. If we can't save our child, I won't let you off the hook," Filip said.

After hanging up, agitation washed over Cynthia. Lilian's child is in danger? She had only informed Sarah of Lilian's return as payback. Cynthia never intended for Lilian to have an abortion; she believed the child was innocent.

Cynthia drove to the hospital. By the time she arrived, Lilian had been moved from the emergency room to a luxurious VIP ward.

Cynthia approached the slightly ajar door. She could see inside. Lilian was curled up in Filip's arms, sobbing. "Only Cynthia knows about my family situation. We don't even have a television, and my mom is illiterate; she never watches the news. It must have been Cynthia who told her."

"She knows my mother is like a vampire who manipulated and abused me. She nearly killed me. Now she made a scene at the station, and everyone thinks she's a madwoman. I can't face my colleagues," Lilian's voice trembled.

"Freddie called, too. He told me to rest and not worry about tonight's show. I worked so hard for that position. Why would Cynthia do this? She's so cruel…"

Filip held her close, comforting her. "It's okay; you have me. Even if you don't work, I'll take care of you."

Cynthia knocked. They both turned. Seeing Cynthia, Filip's anger flared. "Cynthia, how dare you come here?"

Cynthia remained calm. "I asked the doctor; your child is fine."

Filip sneered. "You seem disappointed. You won't be satisfied until you kill our child, you serpent."

Cynthia's eyes darkened slightly. "I never intended to harm your child."

Lilian's eyes were filled with sadness and innocence. "Did you tell my mother about my situation?"

Cynthia didn't deny it. "Yes."

Tears streamed down Lilian's face. "Cynthia, why did you do this? You know my mother is a devil. Why would you push me into hell? Why would you treat me this way?"

Cynthia replied calmly, "I'm simply repaying in kind."

Lilian was stunned. Then she cried, "I know you think those online posts were from me. But I didn't! I swear on the child in my belly…"

"Don't swear," Cynthia interrupted, "I'm afraid your retribution will fall upon your child."

Lilian's face turned pale. Filip, unable to contain his anger, stepped forward, raising his hand to slap Cynthia.

Cynthia firmly caught his wrist, smiling charmingly yet coldly. "Filip, have you forgotten you could never beat me since we were kids?"

Filip winced as she gripped his arm. He knew Cynthia, despite her delicate appearance, had always been a fighter.

"Cynthia, you're a maniac. My biggest regret is caring for you, loving you, spoiling you, only to have you turn so malicious," he said.

Cynthia's smile deepened. "Did you ever really love me? If you truly did, you wouldn't have let Lilian provoke you into…"