"It's all because you wanted to kill Eddie! Mom did this to protect him. I got into trouble because of you!" Meghan cried, her voice rising with blame and regret. If she had persuaded George not to kill Edward, perhaps Bethany wouldn't have tied them up. A wave of deep regret washed over her, but it was too late.

George shouted angrily, "Evangeline said one of us had to die—Edward or us. If we don't sacrifice him, what then? Should we both die?" He continued, "I want to kill Edward, not just for myself, but for you too! How dare you blame me? You have no conscience at all!"

Meghan roared, "Kill Evangeline! Once she's dead, she won't threaten us anymore!"

"She sent our video to Arthur," George countered. "If anything happens to her, he'll still expose it, and we'll be ruined." Besides, he couldn't kill Evangeline; she was too powerful, protected by Arthur's men.

Meghan cried, "Then kill Arthur! If he dies, we'll be safe."

George roared, "If you're so capable, do it yourself! Think it's like killing a chicken? You say it so easily!" He was injured and furious at being imprisoned. Meghan's accusations pushed him over the edge. Her gentle facade crumbled under the physical and mental torture she'd endured. Bound as they were, George couldn't hit her when she yelled back at his outburst.

"You're useless! Stop making excuses!" Meghan scolded.

"Who are you talking about?" George demanded furiously.

"You!" Meghan spat. "You're a loser! When Grandpa ran Gallagher Group, we were the richest in Hofcaster. Since you took over, it's declined, suppressed by the newly established Ferdinand Group. We lost our top spot! If it weren't for the family's diverse businesses, you'd have bankrupted us long ago! Why did Eddie start his own company? He feared you'd ruin Gallagher Group, leaving us penniless. If you're not a loser, who is?"

George gasped, speechless. He couldn't deny the decline of Gallagher Group; the board constantly criticized him. But Meghan had no right to speak to him like that. He provided her with a luxurious life.

Meghan, having suppressed her resentment for too long, unleashed a torrent of accusations. "You're bad at business, and even worse in bed! Every time lasts less than three minutes, and I have to pretend! You…"

"You… you… you bitch!" George swore.

"Loser!" Meghan retorted.

"Bitch!" George shouted.

"Loser!" Meghan yelled back.

"Bitch! Bitch!" George roared.

"Loser! Loser! Loser! You're a loser, unable to even last three minutes…" Meghan laughed.

"You're the same! You're ruined too!" George retorted.

"I'm different! I'm still good in bed, but you're not! You're finished! You'll be nothing!" Meghan mocked.

"Ahhhh!" George roared.

The next day, Edward, still bruised and recovering, was discharged from the hospital. Bethany rushed to help him. "Eddie, why are you home? The doctor said to stay a week!"

Edward sat down, explaining, "Tomorrow's the deadline Evangeline set. We haven't met her demands. I need to find a solution." He asked for his father.

Bethany hid her panic. "Your father and Meghan went out."

Edward frowned. "Where?"

Bethany shrugged. "I don't know, and I don't care. I hope they stay away."

Edward urged her to relax. Bethany, unusually calm despite the impending crisis, seemed a changed person.

Chapter 6.5

This was strange. Edward's mother's behavior was uncharacteristic. He nodded lightly. "Okay, I'll go back to the hospital. When Dad returns, tell him to contact me. If things go wrong, I'll reveal the truth about Pamela's suicide."

"Stop imagining things!" Bethany snapped. "Pamela's death has nothing to do with you!"

Edward remained silent. Bethany, tearful, touched his head. "Eddie, you must take care of yourself. You and your brothers must live well. The family depends on you."

Edward hugged her. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll protect you all."

Bethany forced a smile. She wouldn't have that protection. Her sons had a future, but she didn't. She took him to the hospital.

Edward insisted on going alone, noticing his mother's exhaustion. Bethany hadn't slept since returning from the basement, haunted by horrific images. A death certificate would expose the truth. She couldn't escape the consequences, but she had no regrets. She took sleeping pills.

When she awoke, she prepared their favorite dishes, packed them, and went to the hospital. Edward, Jasper, and Samson were together.

Samson was surprised. Bethany smiled. "I can get here myself. I made your favorite dishes." She gave them the food.

Jasper was despondent, still reeling from the revelation that Evangeline was Jade. Bethany tried to coax him to eat, but he refused. Samson urged her not to force him. Edward silently ate. Bethany, distressed, didn't force Jasper. She left the food and stayed until daybreak, kissing her sons before leaving to deal with George and Meghan's bodies.