Chapter 14
Mandy pondered for a moment before raising her gaze.
Her tone softened as she reassured Seline, “Don’t worry. Jenson’s only interested in her because she’s Jane.”
Seline’s fingers twisted in the sheets, her anxiety evident.
“I know. But now that he knows she’s special… Mom, I’m so scared. I worked so hard to win Jenson over!”
Her voice trembled.
Her entire world felt like it was crumbling.
Mandy narrowed her eyes as a malicious glint flickered in them.
Lowering her voice, she said, “If she’s dead, the problem is solved.”
Seline’s head snapped up, her wide, teary eyes locking onto her mother.
“Are you saying…”
Mandy stood and walked over to the bedside table.
She picked up a grape from the fruit tray—
And crushed it between her fingers.
The once-intact grape burst, its juices spilling out.
A cold smile curled on her lips.
“Just like this grape. Once she’s broken, she won’t be a threat anymore.”
Seline’s face turned pale.
“Mom, killing someone is illegal. If you…”
Mandy sneered.
“Illegal? What’s there to fear? I killed her mother back then. Do you think I can’t do the same to her?”
Seline’s breath hitched. “But—”
Mandy cut her off, her tone sharp.
“Do you really think your father cares about you? He’s always been cold-hearted. How else could he abandon Suzanne’s mother? He hasn’t even visited her grave. He only favors you because you’re more useful than Suzanne.”
Seline froze.
She wanted to argue—wanted to deny it—
But deep down, she knew Mandy was right.
Mandy continued, her voice dripping with calculation.
“Once your father knows Suzanne is Jane—with all that influence—do you think he’ll still care about us?”
Seline’s face went ashen.
She clenched her fists. “But what if they find out—”
Mandy tossed the crushed grape into the trash and pulled out a tissue, meticulously wiping her fingers clean.
Her voice remained eerily calm.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. I have my ways. First, we gather information. Don’t breathe a word about what happened at the hospital to your father.”
Seline nodded frantically, her panic evident.
Mandy’s lips curled into a faint smile.
She reached out, gently wiping the tears from Seline’s face.
Her voice softened. “The butler has a close relative working for Alan. Just focus on being your charming self and leave the rest to me.”
With that, Mandy flicked the used tissue into the trash.
Seline hesitated. “Can we trust them?”
Mandy placed a reassuring hand on Seline’s shoulder, giving it a gentle pat.
“Of course. I’ll handle everything.”
She leaned in, her voice a whisper.
“Seline, to achieve great things, you can’t sweat the small stuff. You must stay calm, analyze the situation carefully, and never panic. If you’re ruthless enough, no one can stand in your way. Do you understand?”
Seline took a deep breath.
Then—she nodded firmly.
“I understand.”
Mandy was right.
Being ruthless was the only way to secure what she wanted.
Seline gripped her mother’s hand tightly, her eyes steely with determination.
“Mom, my happiness depends on you.”
Mandy smiled, her fingers tightening over Seline’s.
“Of course. My daughter deserves to be the happiest woman alive.”
A slow smile spread across Seline’s face—
But her eyes gleamed with cold intent.
She silently swore—
Suzanne would be destroyed.
Alvarez Residence
Two days later.
The Alvarez estate stood on the outskirts of Dudore, surrounded by well-kept gardens.
The serene night was broken only by the occasional chirping of crickets—
Until a sudden, piercing noise shattered the peace.
Inside the villa, Alan lay on his bed—
Writhing in pain.
His teeth clenched, veins bulging against his skin.
His body was flushed an unnatural shade of red.
A strangled scream tore from his throat as he twisted, crawling off the bed—
His feverish eyes wild with desperation.
“Blood…! Blood!”
His frenzied movements made him look like a demon clawing its way out of hell.
Then—
Alan snapped.
Glass shattered.
Furniture toppled.
The sound of pure destruction filled the house as Alan wrecked everything in sight.
The household staff cowered in the corners, too afraid to intervene.
The butler, hands shaking uncontrollably, fumbled for his phone and quickly dialed a number.
“Mr. Richard! Mr. Alan’s having another episode!”
Alan’s bloodshot eyes burned with madness as he roared—
“WHERE’S THE BLOOD?!”
The butler dropped his phone in fear, the device clattering to the ground.
A maid, her entire body trembling, broke into silent tears.
She never would have taken this job if she had known Alan was this terrifying.
The staff huddled together, eyes darting between Alan and the door.
One of them, Kendra Clarkson, whispered—
“Didn’t they say the great Dr. Smith cured him? Why is he like this now?”
The others exchanged uneasy glances, their faces pale.
“Maybe that so-called miracle doctor is a fraud.”
The butler didn’t respond—
But doubt flickered in his eyes.
After all—
Jane Smith was none other than Suzanne Yates.
The eldest daughter of the Yates family.
And everyone knew the Yates family’s eldest daughter was nothing but a lovesick fool chasing after Jenson.
Someone like that couldn’t possibly be the miracle doctor Jane Smith.
Now, it seemed even more unlikely.
Meanwhile—
Alan’s agony only intensified.
His veins burned, his skin felt like it was on fire.
It was as if thousands of ants were gnawing at him from the inside out.
And there was only one way to quench the unbearable itch—
Blood.
His gaze snapped toward the terrified household staff—
His instincts screaming at him to attack.
But Alan fought against it.
With a roar of desperation, he slammed his fists against the cabinet.
The sharp pain brought him a fleeting moment of clarity.
Through gritted teeth, he snarled—
“GET OUT. ALL OF YOU—GET OUT!”
His voice shook the walls.
The staff hesitated, torn between fear of staying and fear of abandoning him.
Alan’s eyes flashed red as he turned to the butler.
“GET THEM OUT OF HERE!”
Understanding the urgency, the butler frantically waved his hands.
“Everyone, take two days off! LEAVE IMMEDIATELY!”
The staff didn’t need to be told twice.
They fled the villa as fast as they could.
Starview Villa
The bedroom was warm and cozy, decorated with wooden furniture.
A vase of pink roses sat on the vanity, filling the air with a soft, sweet fragrance.
Suzanne sat propped up in bed, hugging a pillow with one arm while scrolling through shopping apps on her phone.
Her brows were knitted in frustration.
What gift should she bring to meet Austin’s family?
She had scoured every shopping center in Dudore over the past two days—
And still found nothing that felt right.
The stress was getting to her.
Suddenly—
Her phone rang.
The unfamiliar number made her frown slightly, but she answered anyway.
“Hello?”
Richard’s frantic voice came through the line.
“Dr. Smith, my son’s condition has flared up again! Please—you have to come right away!!!”
