Chapter 238

Roxanne’s fury exploded at Ingrid’s words. “Fine! I can’t beat her, not even once. It’s all my fault. I’m useless! You wish she were your daughter, don’t you? I don’t deserve to be your daughter. Are you happy now?”

Ingrid snorted, curling her lip. “Look at you! What nonsense? You’re damn good at being mad at your mother! Did I say anything wrong? Just admit you can’t beat her. Don’t be such a sore loser!”

“Fine! Fine! I’m done talking to you! I called to complain, not for a lecture!”

“You! You’ve always had a short fuse!”

“Mom, didn’t you say you had a plan to deal with that damned bitch? Why haven’t you done it yet? She’s getting more smug!” Roxanne roared, her dissatisfaction evident.

Unbeknownst to Roxanne, Ingrid had hired a killer to assassinate Joanna. Of course, Ingrid wouldn’t tell her.

Ingrid sighed. “Don’t worry. You can’t jump the gun. Sit tight and wait! A little impatience spoils a big plan. Joanna won’t win as long as I’m here!”

Roxanne choked with anger. “She already suspects us! You’re smart, aren’t you? Figure out something to deal with her!”

Ingrid rolled her eyes. “Fine. I know what to do. Take care of yourself and the baby. Everything else is no big deal! That’s it. Bye!” She hung up abruptly.

After the call, Ingrid took deep breaths, her face turning blue with rage. Her cousins were idiots; after all this time, they still hadn’t acted! Furious, she called her cousin Wallace directly.

“Hello!” “Hello, Ingrid!” Ingrid thundered, “What’s going on with what I told you to do? It’s been three months, and there’s no progress! Christmas is coming soon. When the hell are you going to get it done?”

Wallace frowned, explaining quickly, “Ingrid, it’s tricky! Joanna’s in the hospital, surrounded by bodyguards, servants, doctors, and nurses. We can’t get into her room!”

Ingrid’s eyes widened. “It’s your problem! Do you still want that four million dollars? If you do, figure something out. Stop giving me excuses! Use your brain!”

“That damned bitch won’t wait for death if you don’t come up with something!” Wallace said timidly. “Chill out. We’re on it! We need a perfect plan. We can’t act rashly, or we’ll be shot!”

Ingrid cursed again. “Make it quick! I can’t wait!”

“Okay! Okay! Wait for good news!”

After hanging up, Wallace immediately called Ramos.

“Hello!” “Ramos, can you do it or not?”

Ramos paused, then said hoarsely, “Wait a little longer. I’ve found her ward. I’ve figured out how to sneak in. I won’t screw this up!”

Wallace was anxious. “You’re going to do it in the ward?”

“Yes! Don’t worry! I have an escape plan. You’ll be safe if you pay on time.”

Wallace pondered. “No worries. You’ll be paid as soon as Joanna Haynes dies! I’ll transfer forty thousand dollars first.”

“No! I want the balance immediately!” “Come on, dude! The bitch isn’t dead yet!”

Ramos coughed heavily. “I promise I’ll kill her this time. But I need the balance first! Otherwise, this deal is off!”

“Alright then! If you miss this time, I’ll have someone come after your family!”

Ramos lowered his voice. “I guarantee I’ll do it. Ahem! Ahem!” He coughed again. He was terminally ill, possibly dying within months. He needed the money for his family. He planned to dress as a doctor and sneak into Joanna’s ward, with no intention of surviving.

In the hospital…

“Mrs. Everett, some milk. Mr. Everett said you should have a glass daily.”

“Okay!” Joanna drank the milk. Her appetite was improving.

After the milk, Joanna lay down. Ms. Chain cleared the dishes. “Mr. Everett will be here at eight tonight!”

“Okay.”

“Rest for a while!”

“Okay!” Joanna closed her eyes. She had an unstable placenta and remained in bed. Fortunately, the servants were attentive.

One o’clock in the afternoon, a man around 5’5”, in a doctor’s uniform, mask, and cap, approached Joanna’s ward.

Two bodyguards stopped him. “Who are you?”

“Ward rounds.”

“Never seen you before.”

“Sanitation management. I do rounds monthly.”

“Okay. Come in.” The bodyguards, suspicious but convinced by his equipment and professional demeanor, let him pass.

The man, Ramos, looked gloomy. He entered the ward. Ms. Chain eyed him suspiciously. “Who are you? What are you doing?”

“Checking sanitation standards. Please leave; I need to test formaldehyde levels.”

Ms. Chain and Nancy were incredulous. “Formaldehyde? This is a VIP ward!”

Ramos said quietly, “The ward was renovated last month. But we do monthly formaldehyde removal. It’s due today.”

“Oh, I see!”

“Wait at the door. Ten minutes.”

“Fine.” Ms. Chain and Nancy left.

Joanna, still lying down, vaguely recognized the man but couldn’t place him.

Ramos, feigning to use the detector, pulled out a knife and lunged at Joanna. Joanna recognized him—it was the man who’d tried to kill her in the restroom. But it was too late.

She dodged, cowering in the corner. Ramos stabbed the blanket.

“Ah! Help!” Joanna screamed. The IV pole and bottle fell on Ramos. He stabbed again; Joanna used a pillow as a shield. The pillow was sliced open. She kicked Ramos in the chest and rolled to the floor.

“Help!”

“Something’s happening!”

The bodyguards and servants heard the cries and tried to open the door, but it was locked. A bodyguard kicked the door open.

They were shocked by the scene. A bodyguard kicked Ramos in the chest, sending him sprawling, spitting blood. He was too weak to fight back. The bodyguards restrained him.

Joanna removed his mask, revealing the man from the restroom.

“Who are you? Why are you trying to kill me?”

Ramos, spitting blood, eyes wide, could only struggle silently.

(Note: The final sentence about the website was removed as it is not part of the story and is an advertisement.)