Chapter 2523


    “Listen, Alyssa, I’m sorry, okay?” Mara pressed closer, her voice simmering with frustration as Alyssa


    cautiously gripped the railing, stepping back.


    Alyssa said, “I apologize. But life’s long, and you’ve got plenty ahead of me, unlike me. I’m practically


    six feet under already. Why not let go of Balfour and find someone who truly loves you?”


    Mara’sughter held a bitter edge, and with a swift, fierce motion, her hand struck Alyssa’s arm. A


    sharp cry escaped as Alyssa missed her grasp on the banister and tumbled down the stairs.


    “Ah-”


    The dispute had erupted in a secluded corner, away from prying eyes. As Alyssa fell, her scream was


    the only sound before a sickening silence took over.


    Mara’s hands shook uncontrobly. “You brought this on yourself, so don’t me me.”


    Blood slowly pooled beneath Alyssa’s head, her eyelids fluttering before closing into


    unconsciousness.


    Mara nced around, ensuring they were in a blind spot, away from any surveince, before she hid


    herself from view.


    It was only a matter of minutes before someone discovered the fallen Alyssa.


    “My God, what happened here? Someone help! Alyssa’s fallen down the stairs!”


    The guests downstairs, who had been enjoying convivial chatter and fine wines, sobere up instantly.


    “You’ve got to be kidding. Alyssa was just fine, chatting with friends a moment ago.”


    Despite their disbelief, they knew no one would joke about such matters. The crowd stirred, clustering


    around the scene of the ident.


    Balfour, who had been upstairs with Ivy, heard the dreadful news and sprang up, his ss shattering


    unnoticed on the floor.


    The sound snapped Ivy out of her daze. Rubbing her foggy head, she said, “Althea, what did you just


    say? This better not be some sick joke.”


    Near tears, Althea urged them, “Please, go down and see for yourselves. The ambnce is on its way.


    It seems serious.”


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    With no more hesitation, Balfour and Ivy made for the door, Ivy nearly stumbling in her rush. She


    cursed the drink she’d had that evening; if only she hadn’t indulged, she wouldn’t be so weak-kneed


    now, unable to even run properly while Balfour was frantic to check on Alyssa.


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    Chapter 2523


    “Go, check on Granny,” Ivy insisted. “Don’t worry about me.”


    Ivy had held onto a sliver of hope that it was all some borate ruse by the guests and Alyssa, a


    surprise of some sort. After all, Alyssa had just visited her room; how could something have gone


    wrong in mere minutes?


    But as she reached the staircase and saw a still figure lying at the bottom, with Balfour kneeling beside


    them, her hope vanished. The guests parted, giving Ivy a clear path.


    “Granny, Granny,” she whispered, her voice a mere breath.


    Although the family doctor had administered first aid, dressing the wound on Alyssa’s forehead, they


    dared not move her before the ambnce arrived. Any further injury could worsen her condition.


    Dean knelt beside his wife, his eyes red with regret. Why hadn’t he stayed by her side? He had been


    about to join her upstairs to check on the kids when an old friend had pulled him aside for a chat. He


    was so close, yet he had turned away. Why?