Hedy’s POV
“It’s you! You’re the one who tried to kill my mom!”
I couldn’t hold it in any longer. My hand flew toward Debbii’s face in a slap.
A glint of calculation flickered in her eyes. Before my palm could reach her, Bryson’s hand clamped down hard on my wrist and yanked me back.
His gaze was like ice as it bore into me.
“Enough!” he snapped. “I’ve explained this to you already—none of what happened before was Debbii’s fault! This time, it was also the hospital staff who made the mistake. Why are you blaming her for everything? And now, you’re striking her? Have you completely lost your damn mind, Hedy?!”
With that, he shoved me away.
I stumbled and fell hard onto the floor. Pain shot up my body, my face draining of color.
But he didn’t even glance at me.
“Apologize to Debbii!” he demanded.
I gritted my teeth and forced myself up despite the pain, glaring at him stubbornly.
“You want me to apologize, Bryson? It was she who went after my mom! She’s the one who told the hospital staff to revoke your payment! She even claimed you were her boyfriend! Tell me—who’s the one who should really be apologizing?”
For a moment, he froze.
His brows drew tightly together, his gaze toward Debbii cooling.
In an instant, her face went pale.
But just as quickly, tears welled up in her eyes, clinging to her lashes like a rain-drenched flower. She darted into the kitchen, snatching a knife and pressing it to her own neck.
“Bryson,” she cried, her voice trembling, “I told you I didn’t do it on purpose! Maybe the hospital staff misunderstood. If you insist on believing Hedy instead of me, then I have no choice but to prove my innocence with my death!”
Before anyone could react, she drew the blade across her neck, leaving a deep and bleeding gash.
Bryson’s expression changed instantly. He lunged forward, grabbing the knife with his bare hand.
Blood ran freely down the blade, dripping from his fingers, but he didn’t care. All his focus was on checking Debbii’s wound, his voice frantic.
“Why are you so impulsive? Of course, I believe you! Hold still, Debbii. I’ll call someone to treat your injury right now.”
Without another word, he scooped her up in his arms. As he passed me, his eyes burned with fury.
“Hedy, you’ve gone too far this time!”
“Housekeeper!” his voice roared like thunder. “Lock Hedy in the cold storage! No one lets her out without my permission!”
With that, the housekeeper rushed in with a group of bodyguards who seized me from behind.
I shuddered violently and began to struggle.
“Let me go! I have to get to the hospital to pay for my mom’s treatment! Bryson! Tell them to let me go!”
My voice was nearly a scream.
But he didn’t turn his head even once.
In the end, I was thrown into the cold storage.
The heavy door clanged shut, and the freezing air swallowed me whole.
I trembled, pulling out my phone to try and call someone—anyone—to help pay my mom’s fees at the hospital.
But just as I unlocked it, the door swung open again.
“Take her phone away. Strip her clothes off.”
Bryson’s voice was low and dangerous.
Before I could react, the bodyguards pinned me down. My phone was ripped from my hands, and my clothes were torn away without mercy.
I stared at Bryson in disbelief, my eyes wide.
“Are you insane?! Mom’s still in the hospital waiting for me to pay—I—”
My words broke off as his hand clamped around my jaw, forcing my face up to his.
“Because of what you said, Debbii’s neck was slashed open. The doctor said it was only a fraction away from the artery! I told you, Hedy—she didn’t do it on purpose. But you refused to believe me! Today, until Debbii’s surgery is over, no one is letting you out of this cold storage. As for your mom…” His eyes hardened to steel. “Pray she survives until you’re released.”
Even as I trembled violently in the icy air, his expression remained unmoved.
“Bryson, please,” I begged, tears streaming down my face, my throat burning from the cold. “I’ll apologize to Debbii. Just send someone to the hospital to pay the bills. I’m begging you, Bryson! Mom won’t make it!”
But he only looked at me with those frozen eyes, then turned and stepped out without hesitation.
Before the door closed, I summoned every ounce of strength left in me, glaring at him with hatred.
“Bryson! I swear I will hate you for the rest of my life!”
His body gave a faint tremor, but in the end, the heavy cold-storage door slammed shut firmly.
