Chapter 177

Nick rushed into the hospital, looking around frantically for the doctor. As he burst into the duty room, Aiden Wilson looked up and asked, “Mr. Simpson, what seems to be the problem?”

“I’m worried, Dr. Wilson!” Nick replied, his voice full of urgency. “You’re my doctor. What’s going on with me? Lately, I keep seeing strange things. Just a moment ago, I almost didn’t recognize my own daughter!”

His heart raced as he gripped the doctor’s arm tightly. He needed answers; the events of the last few weeks were weighing heavily on him.

Aiden Wilson’s expression turned serious. “Mr. Simpson, based on your recent tests, you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and heart issues.

“You could also be at risk for dementia, especially at your age. You need to be very mindful of your diet—stick to lighter meals.”

Nick thought for a moment. He loved good food, especially seafood. He enjoyed fish and his favorite, braised beef. If he had to eat healthier, maybe it would help him recover.

“Okay, Dr. Wilson, I promise I’ll follow your advice and take care of myself,” he said, feeling a tinge of fear about not being able to support his son’s dreams.

Aiden nodded, urging him to return home and rest.

After Nick left, Wendy walked in, having overheard their conversation.

She knew about Nick’s health issues. She’d been diligent about his diet before, keeping a close watch, and he had never passed out.

But after knowing what he had done to her, she had let it slide. Just two months without supervision and he was already in trouble. But it couldn’t end like this. She was determined to drag him and that woman down to hell.

“Dr. Wilson, can my husband’s condition still be treated?” She pressed, wanting to know if any toxins had shown up in the tests.

Aiden remained neutral. “Ma’am, if he monitors his diet and takes his medication, he should improve gradually.”

Wendy understood. They hadn’t found anything wrong, just as she suspected. Nick had been taking the pills she gave him, ones that the doctor never knew about. As long as she had control over Nick’s medication, she felt reassured.

She smiled and thanked the doctor before leaving the hospital. At the entrance, she ran into Vance.

“Mom, how’s Dad doing? Is he any better?” Vance asked, his tone slightly softer than before.

Wendy looked at him. He resembled her and Natalie strongly, but his character was more like Nick’s. A deep look of weariness crossed her face as Vance became nervous under her gaze.

“Did you go see Natalie this morning?” Wendy asked.

“Yeah. She shouldn’t even be here; she needs to leave this town and get out of our lives completely. She has no right to mess with Easton and Jennifer’s relationship,” answered Vance.

Wendy’s heart ached. It wasn’t that they couldn’t see through Jennifer’s façade; it was the fact that they unconditionally sided with her. No matter what Natalie did, she was always wrong in their eyes.

Tears welled up in Wendy’s eyes as she choked out, “When you saw her, what else did she say?”

Vance fumed, “Mom, she cursed me! She said she was not arguing with a dying man like me.”

Wendy took a shaky breath and turned away, overwhelmed. How does she know what’s going on? Is Khloe also part of Jennifer’s scheming? she thought.

Wendy felt her legs give way, and she collapsed to the ground. “…” Pain shot through her knee, draining the color from her face.

“Mom…” murmured Vance.

“Don’t touch me,” Wendy snapped, shaking Vance’s hand off as she got up, hobbling away without sparing him a glance.

She sighed inwardly, What have I done to deserve this? How did I allow Nick to toy with me, to deceive me for so long? All my kids are stubborn, and they never change their minds.

Vance stood there, bewildered, not sure what was going on with his mom.

He rushed after her, unable to hold back his frustration. “Mom, what’s wrong with you? Did I say something wrong? Now that Natalie has left the Simpson family, she should be gone for good.

“While she’s my real sister, blood ties don’t mean much. I like Jennifer best, so Natalie has to go!

“And she tried to seduce Mr. Carl Walsh to become the design director of Fashion Fusion. I’ve already contacted Mr. Walsh. I’m going to tell him everything she’s done.”

Wendy’s mouth dropped open, tears welling up. “Vance, you’re so cruel! She’s not just your sister, she’s a young girl, and you want to destroy her.

“How did I end up with such a malicious son? What did she ever do to you? Jennifer kidnapped herself just to frame Natalie! All this is because of Jennifer.”

“Jennifer does this because she feels insecure. If Natalie hadn’t come back, our home wouldn’t be such a mess,” retorted Vance.

Vance felt a pang of sadness too, but he wished Natalie would never return. If she hadn’t, maybe their family wouldn’t be like this. His mom wouldn’t have cut off his card or taken his shares.

Wendy’s breath caught in her throat, tears brimming in her eye. When she blinked, they spilled over, bitterness flooding her mouth—a feeling that twisted at her heart. “Vance, you’re right, blood ties don’t matter. You should never forgive Natalie—”

Vance echoed, “Mom, I won’t forgive her—”

Wendy interrupted him, “Because you don’t need to. She doesn’t need your forgiveness either. She has already given up on this family. You guys have never treated her well.

“You believe everything Jennifer says. Have you ever thought that if Natalie had grown up in this family, she would have been your beloved sister too!

“Lucky for her, she didn’t grow up here. Otherwise, she’d be as vicious as you. Vance, blood ties don’t matter. Go love Jennifer and Khloe. I don’t need you anymore.”

Vance froze, disbelief washing over him. He had only been away for a year—how had his mom changed so much?

“Humph! It’s all Natalie’s fault for stirring up so much trouble in our family." He would be meeting up with Carl tomorrow. He was determined to ruin Natalie’s name. A fierce glare crossed his face as he turned and went upstairs to see his dad.

After dinner, Natalie and Maurice exited the restaurant and spotted Easton waiting outside.

Natalie was surprised. She hadn’t seen Easton for days, and now he seemed to be showing up every day.

Sometimes, it felt like fate was playing games with her and Easton. When she needed him, he wasn’t there; when she didn’t, he was suddenly close by. But now, all she wanted was for them to coexist peacefully without bothering each other.

Maurice noticed Easton too and slightly stepped in front of Natalie.

Easton walked over with elegant confidence. He looked at Maurice with ice in his eyes. “Mr. Chambers, could you please step aside?”

Maurice’s gentle expression turned cold. “What if I don’t?”