Chapter 402
Brandon White’s slap was brutally forceful.
Vivian Bennett staggered backward from the impact.
The back of her head struck the glass window behind her with a heavy thud.
A dull, muffled sound echoed.
Her vision instantly darkened, speckled with swirling stars.
She nearly collapsed to the floor.
"You bitch! Are you satisfied now? You drove Dad to the ICU. Is this what you wanted?" Brandon's voice was like a poisoned dagger, slicing through the dead silence of the hospital corridor.
His vicious gaze pinned her where she swayed unsteadily.
Her ears rang from the blow, her mind completely numb.
She didn't even think of fighting back.
Even under such vicious insults, she just hung her head, silent.
Seeing her leaning against the wall, barely standing, fueled his rage further.
He stepped forward and shoved her hard again.
"Who are you pretending to be fragile for? Those men who slept with you? You think anyone will still pamper you and let you have your way? Vivian Bennett, let me tell you, it's impossible! Even if you cut out your entire liver and transplanted it to Dad, he would still think you're dirty! He'd think your mother was dirty! That neither of you deserve to be part of the White family! Don't you dare dream of getting a single cent of the White family fortune!"
These explicit insults and accusations were not new to Vivian.
In the past, she would have fought back fiercely, hurling even more venomous words.
But this time, she just felt utterly drained.
She even thought Brandon was right.
Perfectly right.
Because every word he said was the truth.
She truly was filthy and despicable.
William White indeed saw her as worthless trash.
Brandon noticed Vivian's unusual behavior.
Her face was pale and dazed, her eyes hollow and numb, all her usual pride gone.
Probably scared out of her wits by William's sudden collapse.
After venting, Brandon didn't continue his tirade.
He just glared at her fiercely.
"Get out! You're not welcome here! Dad doesn't want to see you either! Get out of here now!"
Vivian's hand still rested on the ICU's glass window.
She slowly lifted her head.
Deep within her empty, cold eyes, a faint trace of a smile actually appeared.
Despairing. Self-mocking.
With that faint smile, she turned and walked away.
As she walked, she frantically rummaged through her handbag.
She couldn't find the candy, but the contents of her bag clattered noisily to the floor.
She stumbled her way down to the hospital entrance.
She bought a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from the convenience store across the street.
She completely disregarded her appearance.
She directly crouched on the store's steps, her hands trembling as she lit a cigarette.
Like someone dying of thirst encountering a spring, she urgently took a deep drag.
Smoke rushed into her throat.
Vivian coughed violently.
She lifted her head slightly, the exhaled white smoke just obscuring the sunlight above.
Numb tears fell without warning.
One after another, like broken beads.
She tried to stop them, but couldn't control it.
Her heart constricted with pain.
Slowly, as if all her strength had left her, she sank fully to the ground.
No longer caring about the stares of passersby, she hugged her legs and wept bitterly.
No sound came out, but her body shook uncontrollably.
Tears surged like a tide.
Her chest felt as if it were being torn apart.
After what felt like an eternity, a stretched Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up in front of her.
The man in the back seat gazed through the window, his deep eyes settling on the figure curled up on the roadside.
She hadn't moved for a long time.
Liam Sullivan's brow furrowed tightly, a complex, unreadable shadow passing through his dark eyes.
After a moment of silence.
He finally pushed the car door open and stepped out.
His tall, imposing figure came to a stop beside her.
He looked down at her, his gaze growing even more profound.
Vivian sensed someone nearby but still didn't react.
As if it no longer mattered who it was.
Her tears had dried up. A cold chill spread from the depths of her heart, freezing her entire body stiff.
Liam's dark eyes deepened slightly.
He sighed softly, bent down, scooped her up into his arms, and strode toward the black luxury car.