Chapter 338

The brightness once lighting up Erica's expression dimmed entirely. Rather than replying to Vincent's question right away, she drew in a sharp breath, her chest heaving violently. Moisture welled up in her gaze instantly, and as if on cue, streams of tears slipped free-her flair for theatrics was truly unmatched.

Her tone turned cutting without warning. "This is beyond cruel! What you're saying is outrageous! I came here with good intentions to visit! Yes, I misremembered the news-that's on me, and I regret it! But that doesn't mean you can throw such an unfounded murder charge at me!"

Turning toward Sharon, cheeks drenched, Erica clutched Sharon's wrist. "Mom! Just look at them!What kind of person do they think I am? | was brought up under the Jones name. I'm adopted, yes,but I know morals! How could I possibly do something that vile?"

Sharon's resolve melted in a heartbeat. Watching Erica sob so "wretchedly," she reflexively stepped ahead to protect her and urged, "Vincent! Hannah!Please, take a breath! How can you throw out such weighty statements without a shred of truth? Erica might be headstrong, but she's incapable of such evil."

Hannah, however, had long harbored her suspicion.She didn't buy a single word from Erica's mouth.

Hannah's eyes landed icily on the bright bundle of white chrysanthemums by the bed. She advanced,seized the bouquet with hands quaking, lifted it high,and brought it crashing down in front of Erica in a storm of suppressed rage.

Thud! Petals flew and scattered across Erica's stunned expression.

The move caught Erica off guard, her mask cracking under a surge of naked irritation. "Hannah, have you lost your mind?"she screamed.

Hannah's eyes pierced, her voice laced with revulsion. "Lost my mind? I'm merely kicking you out.I don't like these flowers. And so does your presence."

Hannah's stare burned like frost.

Erica's features warped with visible indignation.The fury boiling beneath her skin exploded as she snapped, "You don't like them? Why should that matter? You'll still have to use them anyway. When your father was buried, wasn't he all covered in these flowers? Who's to say your mother won't get them next?"

Erica's rage turned her feral.

Crack! Hannah surged forward and slapped Erica hard across the cheek.

Erica, livid, flung her hand up in retaliation, but Hannah parried the motion. "Don't provoke me in front of my mother!" Hannah hissed.

Hannah shoved Erica away, sending her stumbling back.

Sharon shook with rage, her skin ghost-pale. "Erica,how could you say that?" She couldn't believe what she'd heard. Was this truly the polished, respectful Erica she knew?

Erica's lips pressed together. "My words might have been blunt, but I wasn't wrong."

Erica made no effort to exit, and all patience drained from Vincent's gaze.

Without giving Erica a chance to react, Vincent grabbed her wrist with his right hand, his hold harsh and unforgiving. He yanked her away from Sharon's side and hurled her toward the room's threshold.

Erica stumbled backward, only steadying herself by clutching the frame. She had been cast out by Vincent. The lingering warmth of his grip remained on her wrist.

Erica took a deep breath, inhaling Vincent's scent.She smirked. It appeared Hannah was sharper than she seemed.

Stillness wrapped the hospital room in an instant.

Sharon stepped. forward, sorrow soaking her words as she addressed Hannah, "Hannah, please forgive Erica. I offer my deepest apology on her behalf.She spoke rashly-she didn't mean it. I failed in guiding her properly, and I'm sorry this happened."

Every syllable carried weighty regret.

Hannah's insides swirled with a tumult of emotions.She tried to reply, but her throat seized; silence swallowed her voice. Crushed under mourning and residual fury, her knees buckled slightly.

Vincent quickly steadied Hannah with a firm grip on her arm. He glanced at Sharon, his voice low but steady with assurance. "Grandma, please have a seat." Just then, the heart monitor let out a faint, almost undetectable shift in rhythm.

Hannah and Vincent caught it at once. Their heads snapped toward the bed.

Lying still as ever was Margaret-yet her eyelids twitched faintly. Then, her eyelids flickered again.

Under the breathless stares around her, Margaret,pushing herself with great strain, managed to pry her eyes open. Her lips parted slightly, trying to form words, but only a whisper came out, barely audible."Anna...Anna..."

The whisper sliced through the hush like a scream.

"Mom!" Hannah bolted to the bed, clasping Margaret's hand as tears poured freely down her cheeks.

Vincent observed the moment, the hard lines of his face softening. Quietly, he took a step back, giving the mother and daughter their moment.

Sharon rose to her feet, tears glimmering in her eyes. Using what little strength she had left, Margaret finally voiced a full sentence, "Where is Claude? |have something to tell you both."