Chapter 407: She Was Abandoned by the Whole World

Crystal suddenly remembered that the scar on her wrist had healed. Olive pursed her lips and asked, “Crystal, what do you want us to see? Just the expensive diamond bracelet?” For the wedding, Crystal had chosen her most expensive bracelet. The sparkling diamonds accentuated her smooth skin, making her look beautiful. But this beauty was ironic. Whispers and doubts filled the air. “Didn’t Crystal try to commit suicide by cutting her wrists? The scar’s gone after only a few days!” “Is she… acting?” “I heard the Paulo family treated the wound, and she never went to a hospital.”

Crystal couldn't explain. Afraid of pain, she'd only made a shallow cut. To create a tragic illusion, she’d bandaged it that night, ensuring no doctor saw it. Now, every detail was under a microscope. She’d clearly cut her wrists, yet the scar was gone. Everyone thought she was faking it.

Mr. Paulo's expression had changed drastically. Busy with Alpha’s wedding preparations for days, he’d ignored Nora and Crystal, assuming they were resting in the hospital. He had no idea of the mess they'd created. If Nora had told him about poisoning Mrs. Robert, he wouldn't have agreed to the wedding. He would have simply warned Nora to behave. As for Crystal, he wondered why he had such a foolish granddaughter. Olive hadn't appeared yet; had her wrist scar healed?

Mr. Paulo stepped forward, angrily asking, “Crystal, what is going on?” Crystal's face twisted in pain. “I cut my wrists, but… the wound healed.” Nora, sensing something was wrong, quickly said, “Yes, Dad, I can testify.”

Olive raised a delicate eyebrow, smiling. “In just five days, the scar is completely gone. Crystal, have you met a miracle worker?” Crystal started to speak, but Olive cut her off. “Or, perhaps you never even cut your wrists, and someone is using this to hurt me?”

Mrs. Robert slammed her wheelchair’s handle. Looking at Mr. Paulo, she said, “Mr. Paulo, Crystal is my granddaughter. She likes Elvis, and everyone knows Elvis loves Olive. Crystal is disappointed, but who would be so cruel as to use her?”

Mr. Paulo understood. Mrs. Robert loved Crystal and would protect her. He needed to eliminate someone. The suicide attempt absolutely could not implicate the Paulo family. His gaze fell on Nora. He stepped forward, raised his hand, and slapped her hard.

Nora fell to the ground, half her face red and swollen. Stunned, she exclaimed, “Dad, why did you hit me?”

Mr. Paulo, seething with anger, pointed at Nora and cursed, “Unfilial daughter! You forced Crystal to cut her wrists! Crystal is a good child, but you abandoned her!” He struck her again. Nora didn't understand; Jean had planted that idea.

“Dad…”

“Enough! Stop calling me Dad. I don’t have a daughter like you. You’re crazy, a murderer! I don’t know you anymore!” He turned away, rejecting her. Nora understood: she was abandoned by her father. To protect Crystal's image, she was sacrificed.

Nora looked up at Crystal. “Crystal…” Crystal, despite her foolishness, understood. Nora sat on the ground, her eyes red. Crystal instinctively stepped back, afraid. Seeing her daughter's rejection, Nora's heart sank. She never expected this from her ten-months pregnant daughter, the child she loved. She was abandoned by the world. Years of life and hard work were an illusion. She had nothing.

Shame overwhelmed her. This was her fate: a fall from grace. She was no longer Mrs. Robert, no longer a Paulo family matriarch. She would spend the rest of her life in prison. But she couldn't bring her daughter down; she had to confess everything.

Nora looked at Olive with hatred. “Olive, I did it all. I convinced Crystal to cut her wrists to harm you. I poisoned the old woman. Are you satisfied?”

Olive took two steps closer. “Nora, you never thought I’d be closest when you were in danger, did you? Your enemy stood calmly beside you, but your father, daughter, and niece hid. Isn’t life ironic?”

Mr. Paulo, Crystal, and Charlotte were stunned. Olive continued, “Nora, you shouldn’t have provoked me. I’m not a good person. You almost drowned me, and I’ll have my revenge. But I sympathize with you. You’re the only one with love in your heart. A mother’s love is your last conscience.”