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Novel Catalog
Chapter 54
Veronica’s heart sank when Xavier didn’t pick up her call. Frustrated, she quickly typed a text instead: Xavier, it’s Veronica. If anything happens to me, help my parents claim my accident insurance and send them away from here. After sending it, she typed another message and handed the phone back to the man who had let her borrow it. “Thank you.”
“Haha, no problem,” the man said, taking his phone before walking away.
Veronica breathed a sigh of relief, but that peace was short-lived. Several men in white coats who had been standing in the hospital lobby began to approach her.
Before she could react, a few of them grabbed her. Panic surged. “Help! Help!” Veronica screamed, struggling to break free.
Just as she was about to bolt, more ‘doctors’ appeared, pinning her down, covering her mouth.
“Why are you running away again?” one of them asked, the mockery in his tone.
The ‘attending doctor’ beside him waved his hand dismissively. “Hurry up and get her to the asylum. We can’t let her hurt anyone.”
Veronica’s eyes widened with horror as the men restrained her. Her heart pounded as she fought to scream again. “Help! Call the police!”
“Stop being useless, and grab her!” The attending doctor barked as he ordered the men to subdue her. Four strong men in white coats took her by her limbs, forcing her to the ground before covering her mouth once more.
The surrounding onlookers stared in confusion and disbelief.
“That person looks pretty normal to me…” one muttered.
“Is this some kind of kidnapping?” another questioned.
“I’ve never seen her before,” someone else added, their voice filled with suspicion.
The ‘attending doctor’ calmly pulled out his medical credentials. “She’s a patient here. This is her second escape attempt. Last time, she even stabbed someone.”
“Good heavens, that’s scary,” a woman gasped.
“We should keep our distance from her,” another person warned.
The crowd, now terrified of being involved in an incident with a ‘mentally ill’ person, quickly stepped back, buying into the doctor’s story. Their doubts vanished.
Veronica continued to struggle as they dragged her out of the hospital and into a car parked nearby. The door slammed shut, and the car sped off.
Meanwhile, Tiffany stood by the window in the building, watching the scene unfold below. A wicked smile spread across her face as she saw Veronica being carted away. Veronica, you’re intelligent, but you’re no match for my dad. From now on, you’ll spend the rest of your life in the asylum. Forever… forever…
Tiffany had half-lied earlier when she spoke to Veronica. Yes, her adoptive parents were indeed kidnapped, but Tiffany had played her part in tricking Veronica into leaving so that the people downstairs could capture her. Now, with Veronica locked away, she’d be labeled a mental patient for the rest of her life.
“Why are you here? Where’s Veronica?” a voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Tiffany froze. The familiar voice made her heart skip a beat as she looked back and saw Matthew standing by the staircase, looking down at her from above.
“Matthew,” she said, trying to mask her surprise, “I’m just on a call with a friend.” She waved her phone nonchalantly. “What did you say? Veronica? She was in her ward earlier. She told me she wanted some breakfast, so I asked the bodyguard to go buy it for her.”
Matthew’s face darkened. His mind raced, realizing Veronica had likely ordered the bodyguards to leave to make her escape.
Tiffany, seeing the change in his expression, felt a stab of unease. But then, the thought of Veronica being gone forever lifted her spirits once more.
“Matthew, are you worried about her?” Tiffany couldn’t help but ask, a sharp edge to her voice.
She still couldn’t fathom how Veronica, despite being a nobody from the countryside, managed to attract Matthew’s attention so much. Meanwhile, she, who had everything—beauty, status, and wealth—still couldn’t hold his heart. It twisted her insides with jealousy.
“Grandma likes her a lot,” Matthew replied coolly, cleverly dodging her question.
“Oh,” Tiffany murmured, her face briefly faltering. She lowered her eyes to hide her guilt before composing herself again. “Well, I’ll go visit Grandma now.”
She walked past Matthew, her heels clicking on the floor, but as she glanced at him, she saw the dark, unreadable expression on his face. His gaze felt piercing, as if he could see right through her, unraveling all her schemes.
Her heart skipped a beat, and for a second, she wondered if he suspected anything.
“I’ll head off first, then, Matthew,” she said, trying to keep her composure, though inside, her nerves were on edge.
As she walked away, she thought about the life she’d built—the Larson family’s rise from modest beginnings to becoming influential in the business world, all thanks to her efforts. But all of it seemed so insignificant now, especially when compared to Veronica. How could someone like her, an ordinary girl from the countryside, steal Matthew’s attention away so easily?
Once Tiffany was out of sight, Matthew pulled out his phone and dialed Thomas. “Go and check where Veronica went.”
After giving the order, he hung up and sat in silence, his brow furrowed with concern.
Back in Elizabeth’s ward, Tiffany sat by the bed, gently massaging her leg. “Grandma, your leg must be aching from being in bed so long. I learned this special massage technique just for you. How does it feel?”
Elizabeth chuckled softly. “Hehe, you sure are a lovely girl.”
Tiffany beamed, feeling a pang of guilt at the lie she had just told. While Veronica might have Elizabeth’s favor, she would do anything to secure that position for herself. She was charming, intelligent, and capable—and now, she’d make sure to show Elizabeth just how much she cared.
“I don’t care whether others like me or not, as long as you do,” Tiffany replied sweetly, a smile lighting up her face.
“Of course I like you. You’re Matthew’s fiancée,” Elizabeth responded warmly.
“That’s great,” Tiffany said, feeling a rush of triumph.
Meanwhile, in the living room outside, Matthew sat tensely. His phone rang, and Tiffany immediately perked up, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she listened closely.
“The surveillance cameras were broken?” Matthew’s voice drifted in from the other room.
Tiffany’s heart raced. Dad is always one step ahead. He knew Matthew would check the surveillance footage to track Veronica, so he hacked into the system in advance. There won’t be any evidence left.
A sense of relief washed over her. She had nothing to worry about now.
Elizabeth’s voice suddenly broke into her thoughts. “What are you thinking about?”
Tiffany quickly masked her emotions and forced a smile. “Nothing, Grandma. Just thinking about how much I care for you.”窗体底端
