"Hah! Do I look like a saint to you, Chris? You want me to treat a hostage kindly?"Chris tightened his grip on the phone, a cold glint appearing in his gaze.Before he could say anything, Krista continued, "She has a mental illness, you say? So, she must be afraid of being alone and in the dark, right?""What did you do to her?" Chris raised his voice.Krista scoffed, "Oh, nothing. I just left her alone in a house with some food and water.""Krista!" Chris snarled. He couldn't believe this woman was this vicious. Kelly was just a child, but she actually left her alone in a house. Was her heart made of stone?That wasn't the correct description. Krista didn't have a heart at all!Krista laughed, "If you want to get that girl out of her predicament, we'll have to see how much you love her as her uncle. Or …"She paused. Then, she cackled, "Or how much you love her aunt!"After saying that, she hung up.Chris felt numb when he heard the dial tone.Since Krista was at home, S
Tally was right. Kathryn used to be Chris' assistant, so she knew the capabilities of his people. But even so, she was still worried."I know Kelly will be fine, but I'm worried Krista will abuse her. You know she has serious mental issues because of what happened at school, and she even tried to kill herself …" Kathryn couldn't bring herself to continue."I don't think her life will be in danger. After all, Krista wants to use Kelly to negotiate about the Baydem Group. There's no way she'll kill her."That being said, it was still possible for that crazy bitch to abuse Kelly. In particular, if they didn't reach an agreement, she might even—Kathryn became extremely nervous when she remembered what Krista had done to deal with her back then.Upon hearing her words, Tally was agitated. "You're right. That crazy bitch is capable of abuse."Thinking of this, Tally was about to snap. Why on earth did they have to meet a crazy bitch like her? She caused such a worrying situation."Bu
There was no way so many people couldn't find a girl in one night.Victor said, "Yeah. Tell Mrs. Albert not to be so worried. Many people are helping her!"He was implying that Kathryn should stop troubling his fiancée. He knew Kathryn could hear his voice on the phone and hoped she could understand him.However, Kathryn's anxiety had taken over her rationality, so she couldn't understand the implications of his words.Tally, on the other hand, understood him. She yelled, "Quit yapping! I'm not going home tonight. Goodbye!"She hung up the phone when she was done. Then, she looked down at Kathryn. "Don't worry. You heard Victor. Tons of people are looking for Kelly. She'll be fine."It was good enough that Chris and the Winchester family had sent their people to look for Kelly, so why was Byron doing the same?Tally couldn't help but fall into deep thought. But after glancing at Kathryn, who wasn't in a good mood, she didn't say a word.Meanwhile, Victor was about to snap when
Krista had lost everything because of Kathryn. For a long while, she had Kathryn in the palm of her hand. Now, though? Kathryn was still very much treasured, even without Krista around.On the other hand, Krista no longer had the Baydem Group. She also no longer had the Alberts. She had spent her entire life striving for those two seemingly impossible things. Meanwhile, Kathryn easily attained them.How could Krista not hate her? She wanted to destroy Kathryn and everyone who shielded her. She wanted nothing more than to crush Benjamin. That would teach him to lay a finger on Krista's things.Right then, there was a reply from the phone. "Mr. Benjamin said that he would make sure you're in before he does." Krista clutched the phone tighter. Her breathing quickened."Tell me his terms.""He wants you to bring Ms. Jessica's daughter to Sunshine Bay. Do that, and Phineas will be returned safely."Krista gritted her teeth angrily at Benjamin's term.Kelly's return hinged on Krist
Kelly paled further at Krista's words, and she trembled harder.Krista ignored the girl. Instead, she stalked off to the side to discuss the location of the hostage exchange. She had no choice but to compromise for Phineas' sake."Likewise. If you so much as lay a hand on Kelly, I'll make sure that Phineas pays for it on the spot," Benjamin replied."Hah, as if I'll dare to do that! I hope Kathryn won't let you down, what with everyone revolving around her," Kathryn said mockingly.They continued to exchange words. Occasionally, they would give the other a warning. Krista radiated a dangerous air as she curtly spoke to Benjamin. Most children would cry, but Kelly didn't dare to.At last, Krista snarled, "So, you're the only one who's allowed to hurt Phineas? Fine, Benjamin. I already lost everything due to that girl. I'm dragging them both down with me, even if I die!"Just as Krista said that, she heard a loud thud behind her. She reflexively turned around, but Kelly was nowhe
The caller even informed Kathryn that Kelly was in a coma. No one knew the extent of the girl's internal injuries. She would need to be examined further. Kathryn was also told that Kelly's family should make their way over quickly.Throughout the journey, Kathryn continued to sob."How is she now?" Tally asked."She's unconscious, and she lost so much blood. They don't know how bad her internal injuries are yet," Kathryn answered between sobs.Tally was furious. "Is Krista a monster? How could she do this?"Tally had underestimated Krista's cruelty. How could that woman do such a terrible thing to a young child?At the mention of Krista, Kathryn spiraled further. This was meant to be a feud between her and Krista only, but she never expected Jessica to be dragged into this mess. And now, Kelly had gotten hurt in the crossfire."Don't panic. We're almost at the hospital."Kathryn could no longer stay calm. How could she? Jessica was still in the hospital, and Kelly was severely
Kathryn's breath came in rapid gasps.The medical assistant responded, "Your family needs to be mentally prepared.""No, I won't! I won't sign!""Kat, signing will expedite their resuscitation efforts. You …""If I sign, Kelly will be in danger. They would give up on Kelly, isn't it?" Kathryn looked toward Tally.Tally remained silent because she didn't know.But having family members sign such documents undoubtedly meant giving up when no hope was left.Kathryn insisted, "No, we must do everything possible to save her! I won't sign! I won't!"At this moment, Kathryn's heart was filled with fear.She was afraid to confront the scene of life and death, and she couldn't even bring herself to imagine what Kelly looked like in the emergency room.What had Krista done to her? Why was there now such a document involved?Seeing Kathryn's intense emotional distress, the medical assistant looked visibly uneasy.Tally took the pen, swiftly signing her name on the document.Kathryn w
During this period, Kathryn teetered on the edge of being overwhelmed. She lived in a constant state of worry for Jessica. She found herself unable to sleep throughout that period. If Chris hadn't dealt with everything, she might have already succumbed to the pressure. And now, Kelly's condition was undeniably the last straw.She found herself wishing that she was the one who had fallen, wishing she could occupy that hospital bed instead of Kelly. As she gazed at Kelly's pallid face, a profound sense of helplessness washed over her."I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I didn't take good care of you." Kathryn's tears fell continuously.Observing Kelly through the window, noting the thick bandages on her head and the casts on her arms and legs, Kathryn was engulfed by a wave of guilt.Tally spoke, "Kat." Attempting to console Kathryn, Tally found herself at a loss for words at this moment. Earlier, before encountering Kelly, she could maintain a positive outlook on everything. But what co