Chapter 17


    “What did you just say? Was it you who orchestrated my meet–up withn?”


    Eve scoffed. “What else did you think? Do you thinkn yed the knight in shining armor by


    chance? Use your head, ra. A guy ofn’s standing wouldn’t just wander into some out–of–the–


    way alley for no reason. If your brother and I hadn’t set the trap to lure him there, you wouldn’t have


    been living the high life these past three years. But no, you’re not satisfied. You’ve got your sights


    set on bing Mrs. Hayes. Have you even considered it? With a mother like yours, who in all of


    Northbridge would dare to take you in? You have to get back ton’s side, or I’ll spill every dirty


    secret your mother has.”


    Rose’s words were sharp and biting, as if ra were nothing more than a stranger to her.


    Blood trickled down ra’s forehead, mingling with her tears, the metallic taste filling her mouth. A


    wave of nausea hit her. She felt disgust at having such a family.


    Grandma Eve and her cousin had used her like a pawn, pushing her towardsn. The saddest part


    was that she waspletely oblivious, believing she had found true love.


    For three years, she had given her all to that man. To be with him, she had abandoned her dream of


    being awyer, forsaking her own desires for marriage.


    Faithfully, without a word ofint, she had beenn’s secret lover for three years. To everyone


    else, it seemed nothing more than a sordid exchange, all thanks to her dearest kin.


    Wiping the blood from her face, ra managed a bitter smile. Her voice was tinged with newfound


    defiance. “I won’t be manipted by you or anyone else. I won’t return ton’s side. From now on,


    the Bell family’s fate has nothing to do with me.”


    With those final words, she turned and walked away.


    Not a momentter, she saw her father standing in the doorway, disbelief etched across his face,


    tears welling in his eyes.


    Casey clutched his chest, gazing at Eve with incredulity. His voice was weak. “Mom, have I been


    that undutiful? Have I not sacrificed enough for the Bell family? Why did you do this to my


    daughter?”


    The thought of his daughter being manipted by his own mother pained him deeply, sweat


    beading on his


    forehead.


    ra, sensing something was wrong, rushed to support him. “Dad, please, don’t get upset. I’m


    okay. You just had heart surgery. You can’t afford to get worked up.”


    Casey looked at her tenderly, hisrge hand gently caressing the wound on her forehead. “I’m sorry


    I failed to protect you,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion.


    “Dad, stop. Let’s get you to the hospital,” ra insisted. She helped her father into the car and


    drove straight to the hospital.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    After an examination, the doctor informed ra that her father had overexerted himself following his


    operation, and the recent stress had severely impacted his recovery. He needed to be hospitalized


    for a few days.


    Once her father was settled, ra stepped into the corridor, pulled out her cell phone, and dialed


    her father’s


    secretary.


    She learned that thepany had invested heavily in a promising joint venture with Hayes


    Corporation. But just yesterday, Hayes Corporation had abruptly pulled out, even using her


    father of leaking information topetitors. If true, Bell International would lose a substantial


    investment, and her father could face a criminal investigation, with the grim prospect of prison bars.