Edward listened for a few minutes then closed the video. It had recorded the entire conversation. That night, he spoke with Pamela for nearly an hour, a conversation he didn't want to revisit. Someone had summarized the conversation in the comments for those who hadn't watched it. Edward glanced at the summary and confirmed the video contained the whole conversation. He suppressed his anger and clicked on another trending topic: "[Pamela's mother made public the letter left by Pamela]."

The post included a photo of a handwritten letter. The letter read:

"Mom, it's me, Pam.

By the time you read this, I'm dead. It must be all over the news that I was killed by Evangeline. I wasn't killed by Evangeline. I was asked to die by Edward! He knew I had a grudge against Evangeline, so he found me and asked me to use my own death to tarnish Evangeline's reputation, falsely accusing her of murder. Then, he would step forward to apologize on Evangeline's behalf, promising to help with my funeral and support you—all to save his reputation.

When Edward offered this deal—to use my death to help him deal with Evangeline and restore his reputation, promising to care for you for the rest of your life and send you abroad for treatment after my death—I knew I had no choice.

Although I knew Edward was a shrewd businessman who might not keep his promises (he even set up his own sister), I had no choice. Mom, you've sacrificed so much for me, endured hardship your whole life, and never had a day of happiness. Now you're ill, and I wanted to do something for you.

But I'm so useless. In the entertainment industry, I couldn't even earn enough for your medical expenses. That's why I had to accept Edward's offer. Even though I wasn't sure if he'd keep his promises, I had to take a chance.

What if he kept his promise? You could enjoy happiness for the rest of your life, and I would have repaid your kindness. I'm like a gambler, using my life to bet on the conscience of a cold-hearted person.

If you receive this letter, it means I lost the bet. Edward promised that if I died, he would arrange for you to be transferred to another hospital for better treatment. I entrusted someone to send this letter two days later to your original ward. If you receive this, it means that after my death, Edward didn't care for you at all. He didn't send you abroad, and he didn't even transfer you to a better ward.

The letter contains a memory card with the recording of my conversation with Edward. Mom, when you receive this, expose what Edward has done to the media. I'm no longer alive, and since Edward didn't keep his promises, if you don't expose him, you have no chance to survive. If you do, there's a chance kind-hearted people might help you…

Mom, I failed to give you a day of happiness. I'm going to be reborn now. In my next life, I'll be your mother, and I'll care for and cherish you.

By the way, I apologize to Evangeline. In the past, I caused her trouble, criticizing her on Twitter, all because I took money from Meghan. The grudge between Evangeline and me stemmed from my taking Meghan's money and deliberately targeting Evangeline. But Evangeline was too strong, and I couldn't take advantage of her. Then Meghan hired ghostwriters to defame Evangeline. Although I was paid to do this, I also hurt Evangeline. I'm sorry for her. I owe Evangeline, and since I can't compensate her, I'll at least clear her name.

(Pamela Lynch)"

Millions of comments followed the letter. Examples included:

• "Boohoo, I feel so bad. Pamela is also a poor child. She just wanted to save her mother and risked her life…"
• "I'm sorry for scolding Pamela so harshly earlier, even saying she deserved to die. Now, after reading her letter, I immediately slapped myself. I'm really a jerk!"
• "Although it is wrong to frame others, Pamela also hoped her mother could have enough money to cure her illness and live a good life…"
• "Edward is such a bastard. He set up his own sister and even forced an innocent girl to die for this. He didn't even keep his promise and ignored her mother!"
• "I'm so pissed off. Edward and Meghan are both bastards! They deserve to die!"
• "How could the Gallagher family raise so many bastards?"
• "Pamela's mother is so miserable. Her only daughter died for her, and she lost all hope of survival."
• "Boohoo. I feel so bad. You bastard Edward killed a filial daughter who had no way out!"
• "Evangeline is so miserable. Her own brother used such a vicious trick to frame her."
• "Fortunately, someone captured Pamela jumping off the building. Thankfully, Pamela had a backup plan. Otherwise, we would all be fooled by Edward!"
• "I'm so pissed off. I want to kill someone now!"
• "The evidence is clear that Edward forced Pamela to die. Hotcaster Police Station, have you arrested Edward?"
• "Edward must die! Boycott Superb Entertainment, boycott Gallagher Group!"

Looking at the online news and public opinion, a chill ran down Edward's spine, his eyes dimming. His phone slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

It was over. It was all over. His reputation was ruined. Superb Entertainment had no way out. Gallagher Group would also be severely impacted. This time, he had no hope of recovering.

He wasn't unwilling to care for Pamela's mother, but Evangeline had beaten him up that night, and he hadn't had time. When he woke up the next day, he focused on Evangeline's situation and forgot his promise.

"Damn it!" Edward cursed inwardly. He didn't understand why Evangeline was always so lucky. Since leaving the Gallagher family and cutting ties, she seemed blessed. When she participated in the variety show, other celebrities' reputations were ruined, but she reversed hers, garnering praise and worldwide fame. In this setup, he had someone destroy the surveillance cameras, yet someone else captured video proving her innocence. She only stayed at the police station briefly before leaving. Why did all the good luck fall to her? It was so unfair. He worked so hard. Why didn't he get the luck?

Edward closed his eyes and took a deep breath. After composing himself, he bent down to pick up his phone. He returned to the ward, changed his clothes, and left the hospital quietly.

In a room in the Gallagher residence's second basement, George and Meghan were still shirking responsibility, trying to convince Bethany to kill the other and free themselves. Bethany's face remained expressionless, her hand holding the dagger shaking. She didn't want to listen to their nagging, but it was her first time considering killing someone. She lacked the courage. She was useless. She didn't even dare to kill them. But she found it hard to act. They had not only betrayed her but also wanted to kill her son.

"No! I must do it! Tonight is the deadline. I can't delay any longer. I have to do it no matter what," Bethany thought resolutely.

Bethany gritted her teeth, clenched the dagger, and slowly raised her hand, aiming it at George. She wanted to kill George first.

"Mom, stop!" someone shouted.

The door burst open, and Edward appeared.

Clang! The dagger fell to the ground with a harsh sound.

Bethany was flustered. "Eddie, why… why are you back? And… and how did you find me here?"

George was ecstatic seeing Edward. He struggled intensely, shouting excitedly, "Eddie, let me go quickly! Hurry, take me to the hospital! Your mother is crazy. She wants to kill me! Call the police and arrest her!"

Meghan also cried excitedly. "Help me! I was hurt by Mom. My body hurts so much. Eddie, you always care about me. Let go of me quickly!"

Bethany's eyes darkened. She immediately squatted, picked up the dagger, and turned to stab George.

Edward quickly grabbed Bethany's wrist, snatching the dagger.

"Mom, calm down. You can't kill people. Even if you kill them, you can't escape. Even if I don't accuse you, with the coroner's skills and current criminal investigation methods, they can still find out it was you," Edward said.

Bethany was so anxious tears welled up. She shouted angrily, "They're cruel! They didn't even follow you to the hospital when you were injured, but they discussed at home that they would kill you! But even if it costs me my life, I'll kill them! Eddie, you don't know how cruel they are!"

Edward said, "But you can't kill them either."

George looked proudly at Bethany provocatively.

Bethany said anxiously, "If we don't kill them, what about Evangeline? Eddie, give me the dagger and go back to the hospital now. I'll take care of it, and you won't know about it at all. Without them in our family, no one will drag you and your brothers down in the future!"

Edward said in a deep voice, "Mom, go back upstairs first. The matter with Evangeline has been concluded. You don't need to bear the blame for being a murderer."

"Concluded? What conclusion?" Bethany was confused.

Edward said, "You go upstairs first. I'll talk to you later. Or you can check it on the internet yourself."

Bethany was reluctant, but seeing Edward's calm face, she trusted him. Bethany left the room.

George immediately said, "Eddie, let me go. Your mother is crazy. She hurt me, and I'm bleeding a lot. I need to go to the hospital for treatment."

Meghan also cried, "Eddie, help me too. My body hurts. Please untie me. I feel so bad. I've never been treated like this before. Mom is too cruel."