Chapter 329
Jason found the caregiver's words haunting. "Austin, my condolences. Take good care of your younger daughter. You’re a great parent, and your child will grow up to have strong values.”
Austin replied, “Of course. My younger daughter achieved the highest score on the SAT this year—so outstanding! Her older sister was a top achiever, too. Both of them are always considerate and exceptional children who never let me worry.”
“I’ve been working hard to save money for my daughter’s university education. She wants to become a judge and is determined to find the person who harmed her sister.”
Tears welled up in Austin’s eyes. His daughter had achieved so much, and even after all these years, he still refused to believe she had taken her own life.
Jason didn’t say a word. After becoming disabled, he realized just how challenging life could be. He thought of his father, who wasn't just intent on rendering them useless but also wanted their lives. Jason took a deep breath. Getting back on his feet was easier said than done.
When he thought of Natalie’s medical skills and how she had cured Chris’s cousin, his hands clenched into fists. "What right do I have to ask Natalie to operate on me?"
Whenever Natalie saw him, she wouldn't even acknowledge his presence. She had completely given up on him and their other siblings. He had hurt her deeply, and now he was barely holding on himself. If not for his mother’s help, he would have starved to death on the streets long ago. His mother might have claimed to cut ties with him, but she still sent him $15,000 every month, which allowed him to hire Austin as his caregiver. But if he wanted to get back on his feet, his legs had to heal first.
Taking another deep breath, Jason resolved to beg Natalie to perform the surgery. He wanted to stand again. At 30, he still had a chance to reclaim his life.
Just as Jason was about to send Austin home, he heard a startled exclamation. He turned his head and asked, “What’s wrong, Austin?”
In the snowstorm, Austin’s face was streaked with tears. He was trembling as if struck by overwhelming news.
“Austin, what happened? Did something happen at home?” Jason asked anxiously. Austin had always been diligent and reliable, so seeing him so shaken made Jason uneasy.
Austin’s hand shook as he held his phone. He looked at Jason, his voice quivering with emotion. “Jason, in this heavy snow, someone brought me the most incredible news. My daughter has finally been vindicated! The people who bullied her have been arrested by the police. Look! This is the woman who drove my daughter to her death. My poor girl suffered so much."
"Look at this. These mean girls cornered her in this spot, threatening her, hitting her, pouring cold water on her, beating her with brooms, pulling her hair, and slapping her. And the teacher? The teacher covered for this bully! This time, I’m going back with this evidence. I’m going to sue the school. I’ll make sure my daughter can rest in peace and move on peacefully in her next life.”
Austin grew increasingly emotional and heartbroken, eventually bursting into tears.
Jason’s hands trembled as he held his phone because, in the video, the girl leading the group of three bullying Austin’s daughter was none other than Jasmine.
Natalie had told him before that Jasmine wasn’t a good person and that Zoe was the one with a good heart. But back then, his dislike for Natalie blinded him to the truth. He had even pointed at Natalie, accusing her, “You’re just jealous of Jennifer’s favoritism. And you’re slandering Jasmine and defending Zoe, just because I love Jasmine instead of your close friend Zoe!”
Now, faced with undeniable evidence, he felt his face burn with shame. Natalie had always been clear-headed; it was they who had been blind. They were the fools. And now, Jasmine’s downfall was inevitable.
Jason didn’t need to think long to realize it was Jennifer who had leaked the video and handed it over to the police after Jasmine’s arrest. Jasmine was no longer useful. There was no need to keep paying her $15,000 a month. To save money and keep her own secrets safe, Jennifer had destroyed Jasmine.
At that moment, Jason finally realized that Jennifer was terrifyingly ruthless, but it was already too late. Natalie had warned him, but he chose to trust Jennifer, the one he spoiled, thinking she would never harm him. Yet again, the truth hit him hard—his legs were crippled.
Looking at the emotional Austin, Jason said, “Austin, that woman is my ex- girlfriend. She cheated on me and got pregnant with someone else’s child. She tricked me. If you want to meet her, I can take you to her. She’s at the police station on the island.”
“What? She’s your ex-girlfriend? No wonder you called yourself blind. You really are! It’s bad enough that you fall for your foster sister’s schemes, but you let your ex-girlfriend fool you too. Any more blindness, and you’d be raising her child as your own,” Austin mocked.
Jason’s eyes filled with tears as he thought about what he had done to Natalie.
“Austin, I’ve realized this now; it’s not too late, is it?” asked Jason. He had a son now, and he felt an overwhelming desire to stand again.
“It’s not too late, not at all. Turn things around, and there’s still time to set everything right,” Austin said, wiping his tears. Then, his tone turned cold as he continued, “Let’s go. Let’s see that woman who drove my daughter to her death.”
Jason nodded. “Alright!”
Natalie went back to grab some things and, from a distance, saw Jason sitting in his wheelchair—he had already arrived at the hospital. She turned and glanced toward the hospital building, realizing that Jason now knew about the child. Taking a deep breath, she thought, 'Even if he knows, what can he do now?'
After collecting her things, Natalie returned to find Zoe already asleep. Not wanting to disturb Zoe, she sat at the nearby table and reviewed project plans. Her collaboration with Maurice had led to a surge in business, keeping her busier than ever. Zoe’s mother was arriving tomorrow. With her there to care for Zoe, Natalie felt reassured and could leave earlier. Zoe was due to deliver the day after tomorrow. Facing the winter postpartum with cold winds sweeping through was especially challenging for Zoe.
As Natalie focused on the documents, her phone kept buzzing. When she glanced at it, she saw news notifications: "Jasmine Bullies Student Leading to Her Suicide" and "The Truth Exposed: This Woman Has Been With Over 100 Men. "
There was a video of Jasmine bullying another girl. Natalie froze slightly, suddenly thinking of Jennifer. She was the woman feigning concern behind this—she wanted Jasmine to rot in prison for good.
“Natalie!” a familiar voice suddenly came from the doorway.
Natalie looked up and saw Zoe’s mother, Theresa, entering, braving the snowstorm. She was carrying several bags, her hat covered in snow.
Natalie quickly stood up to help. “Theresa, weren’t you coming tomorrow?”
Theresa replied, “Natalie, thank goodness for you staying with this headstrong girl. She’s as stubborn as a mule! I told her to come home, but she insisted on staying on this remote island to have her baby. The place is so isolated, and the medical facilities aren’t great. What was she even thinking?”
Theresa’s face was full of complaints. Being away from familiar surroundings made her uncomfortable. But there was nothing she could do when her daughter was so obstinate.
Natalie smiled and replied, “Zoe says that since it’s winter, it’s just as cold back home. She feels at home here."
“Stop making excuses for her. It’s all her stubbornness.” Theresa removed her hat and went to the bathroom to shake off the snow before coming back out. She looked at Natalie gratefully and smiled. “Natalie, you must’ve had a hard time last night. Now that I’m here, I’ll take care of Zoe. Go home and get some rest.”