Chapter 8

From the moment Laura entered the hospital room, she chattered incessantly, alternating between flattery towards Kelly and overly enthusiastic concern for Charles.

Charles found none of it useful; he felt as if his head was about to explode from the noise.

Hearing Charles's request, Emily quickly responded, taking out a fresh cotton swab, dampening it with water, and passing it to him.

"Thank you." Charles politely expressed his gratitude again.

Laura stood to the side, unable to hide the surprise and embarrassment on her face.

Why! Laura was practically grinding her teeth in fury.

It was one thing for him to be merciless with her, but why was he so gentle and pleasant with Emily?

She was nothing but a shameful woman who'd just escaped from God knows where! Not only was she ill-mannered, but who knew how many men had defiled her body! What reason did Charles have to treat her with such special consideration?

Her eyes nearly red with rage, Laura used every ounce of her strength to suppress her fury.

Kelly was still here; no matter what, she couldn't lose her composure in front of this wealthy socialite.

"Charles, how can you speak like that!"

Seeing Charles being so rude to Laura, Kelly felt rather embarrassed. After all, Laura had come through her connections.

By dismissing Laura so harshly, wasn't Charles also disrespecting her?

"Laura means well. If you don't want her help, fine, but why be so harsh?"

Kelly dabbed at her lips with her handkerchief and coughed.

Charles was truly giving her nothing but headaches.

"Mom, don't interfere in my affairs."

Charles closed his eyes wearily, as if utterly exhausted.

Seeing the expression on Charles's face, Kelly was deeply concerned. It seemed this matter would have to be dropped.

"Fine, fine. I've never been able to manage anything you do anyway."

Since he was unwilling, Kelly had no way to force Laura to stay by Charles's side.

She turned to look at Laura and said directly, "Laura, as you can see, Charles..."

"I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing."

Kelly still looked down on Laura somewhat, speaking curtly and dismissing her in just a few words.

Laura clenched her fists in anger but was helpless. She still had to maintain her well-mannered image in front of Kelly, so she could only suppress all her rage and force a smile.

"It's alright, Mrs. Howard. Charles is injured and needs proper rest. I won't disturb him any longer."

Seeing Kelly nod, Laura closed her eyes, suppressing the unwillingness and anger in them.

When she opened them again, her gaze flickered as she looked at Emily.

"Emily, it's been so long since we've had a proper conversation. Why don't you walk me out? We could catch up."

Emily found this rather amusing.

Laura's act was too transparent—her eyes were practically blazing with displeasure, ready to slice Emily to pieces, yet she still wore that fake smile while playing the loving sisters routine.

However, Emily was curious to hear what other "sweet" words Laura had to say.

"Laura, I was planning to see you out anyway."

She nodded slightly and was the first to exit the hospital room.

The corridor was utterly quiet, with only the crisp sound of Laura's high heels clicking against the floor.

"Emily, you really are quite the schemer."

Laura's words were harsh, but her voice still carried that nauseating false sweetness.

"Do you think throwing yourself at Charles and caring for him will win his affection and make you part of the Howard family? You're being far too naive."

"Don't forget—you were kidnapped by those brutal people for an entire year. Even though Charles publicly cleared your name in front of all those people, how many do you think actually believed him?"

"In everyone's eyes, you're already a tainted and disgraced woman. Kelly would never allow you to marry Charles."

Laura had expected to see Emily become hysterical with rage after hearing these malicious words.

But Emily walked ahead, listening to Laura's string of spiteful accusations without breaking stride or even sparing her a glance.

Emily had grown sick of hearing these same words from Laura's mouth.

"Emily!" Laura stopped in her tracks, calling out furiously.

Only then did Emily stop. She turned around, somewhat impatiently brushing her hair back.

"Are you finished?"

Laura was stunned for a moment, then snapped angrily, "You..."

"You what?" Emily shot back. "By birth order, I'm your elder sister. By blood relation, you're merely the Windsor family's adopted daughter, yet now you want to step all over me, the biological daughter?"

Laura's eyes widened, not expecting Emily to speak so directly.

"I never cared about those rumors and gossip in the first place. If you keep bringing them up unnecessarily, I don't mind filing charges against you for defamation and spreading false information."

"Furthermore, Officer Howard saved my life. It's only natural that I repay that debt of gratitude, and I regard him purely as my benefactor. The person who wants to marry him and live a life of wealth is you, isn't it?"

Emily bluntly called out her ulterior motives, her lips curving into a mocking smile.

She stepped forward, looking at that familiar face.

Even with Laura wearing high heels, Emily was still slightly taller than her.

"What are you doing?"

Feeling Emily's steady gaze, Laura's spine crawled with unease.

"Just taking a good look at your face, since we haven't seen each other in so long."

Emily lowered her eyes and sighed softly. "I was such a fool before, actually believing the fake and hypocritical expressions on your face."

Having said that, she stepped aside and said, "The exit is just ahead. I'll see you off here."

Having failed to humiliate Emily and instead being mocked, Laura just wanted to escape this place as quickly as possible. She glared fiercely at Emily, stamped her foot, and left.

Emily watched her figure disappear through the exit, all traces of amusement vanishing from her face.

Just as she was about to head back, her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket.

Emily started, quickly pulling it out. After the explosion, her phone had been dead for several hours, but now it was working again.

The screen was too cracked to clearly see the caller ID, but she recognized the number—she'd only given it to the police station.

She quickly answered, and a familiar voice came through the receiver.

It was that indignant female officer.

"Is this Emily?"

"Yes, it is."

Emily felt somewhat excited, thinking perhaps more victims had been rescued.

"If you have time now, could you come to the station?"

Unexpectedly, the officer's voice sounded rather grave.

Emily's heart sank as she heard intermittent voices coming from the receiver.

"Many of the other victims in your situation have developed serious psychological problems. Some have even started attempting suicide..."

Her head filled with a buzzing sound, Emily gripped the phone tighter, as if she might crush it in her hands.

"I understand." Emily's voice was hoarse. She nodded and said, "I'll be right there."