Richard was about to speak when Vanessa Moore interjected first, “Yes, send her to the hospital. This blood looks just like spilled paint—it’s frightening.”
She pretended to defend me, but in truth, she was hinting that I was faking it.
Richard hesitated for a moment, then sat back down with a sneer. “Emily Carter, I almost forgot the little play you and Lily are acting. Did you really think a fake blood pack on your leg would fool me? I’m not that stupid.”
Hearing this, I gave a bitter smile. “If you think it’s fake, have the guards check.”
“Daddy, we’re not lying!” Lily pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
But Richard only poured himself another glass of wine, sipping slowly.
“Is there even a need to check? If you can’t stand, then crawl up the mountain. Either way, you’ll finish this today.”
His voice was firm, offering no compromise.
Beside him, Vanessa’s lips curled higher and higher, unable to hide her triumph.
I had no choice but to crawl forward, terrified of jeopardizing Lily’s heart surgery.
But the urn was unbearably heavy, and with my injured right leg useless, I could only claw at the ground with my hands, inching forward like a worm.