Chapter 30

"How did you get in here?! Get out!" Alice's voice trembled with rage. She could tolerate Olivia and Victoria's constant harassment toward her, but coming to the hospital to torment the critically ill Margaret was crossing the line.

Alice grabbed her purse and swung it at Olivia.

But then, Margaret's weak voice called out, "Alice..."

Alice turned, her grip tightening. "Mom, don't worry. I'll make them leave."

"Alice, I had them brought here," Margaret admitted.

Alice froze.

When she turned back, she saw Olivia and Victoria staring at Margaret—pale-faced, their arrogance crumbling under the weight of fear.

"Mom? You... summoned them?" Alice couldn't believe it.

Margaret's face was ashen, but her voice carried an unshakable authority. "Olivia Sullivan. Victoria Sullivan."

"Mrs. Knight..." Olivia's voice wavered as if she were facing a predator.

Margaret spoke calmly. "I may not have been formally married into the Knight family, but do you think I survived all these years raising my son without learning how to fight?"

"Alice lived under your roof for eight years. What she endured then is in the past—I won't revisit it."

"But she is Alexander's wife now!"

"You vile creatures!" Margaret's frail body trembled with fury. "You dared to kidnap the daughter-in-law of the Knight family? You nearly beat her to death! Did you think the Knights had no one left to protect her?"

"Did you think I was already dead?"

Alice stared at Margaret in shock. "Mom... what do you know?"

Margaret smiled gently. "Alice, don't be afraid. I'm here. I will make this right."

"Even lying here, my mind is clear. My eyes see everything."

"You didn't visit me for days, but you weren't on a business trip. Victoria kidnapped you, didn't she? That bruise on your face—she hit you, didn't she?"

"Mom..."

"They made your life hell when you lived with them. Now that you've married well, they're consumed with jealousy. You remember their 'kindness,' but I owe them nothing!" Margaret's voice was soft, yet it carried the weight of steel.

Alice swallowed hard.

She couldn't tell Margaret the truth—that Victoria was Alexander's real fiancée.

"Olivia Sullivan!" Margaret's sharp tone snapped them back to attention. "You have two choices."

"One—I have my men beat your daughter to death. Do you think I'm bluffing? I'm a dying woman. I have nothing left to lose."

Olivia and Victoria knew she meant it.

Their legs gave out, and they collapsed to their knees.

Olivia sobbed, clutching the floor. "Mrs. Knight, please spare my daughter! If you let her live, I'll do anything!"

She wanted to scream that Victoria was Alexander's true bride—but fear choked her words.

Victoria banged her forehead against the ground. "Mrs. Knight, forgive me! I swear I'll never do it again!"

Margaret ignored her, her gaze locked on Olivia. "You'll obey me?"

Olivia nodded frantically. "Yes, Mrs. Knight. Anything."