Chapter 10

Victor Thompson's hand clamped around Susan Thompson's throat like an iron vise.

Her vision darkened at the edges.

A deafening buzz filled her ears.

"It was... Nicole..." Susan gasped, clawing desperately at Victor's hand, leaving bloody streaks on his skin.

"Shut up!" Victor's eyes burned crimson. "Nicole is my daughter!"

Andrew Lucas burst into the room. "Uncle Victor! Catherine's still breathing!"

Victor released Susan instantly, scooping Catherine Capra into his arms as he rushed out.

Nicole Capra exchanged a knowing glance with her mother.

Susan collapsed to the floor, coughing violently, her throat raw and burning.

Andrew yanked her up by the collar. "Why did you hurt Catherine?"

"It wasn't me!" Susan's voice was hoarse. "Nicole did it—"

Nicole suddenly clung to Andrew's sleeve, tears streaming down her face. "Andrew, this is all my fault..."

Her delicate shoulders trembled with sobs.

Then, to Susan's shock, her own mother dropped to her knees. "Mr. Lucas, please spare Susan!"

"Mom?" Susan stared in disbelief.

"She just... lost her way for a moment," her mother wept. "She resents Nicole for taking you from her..."

Andrew's lips curled into a cold smile. "Anything else to say, Susan?"

Susan's gaze locked onto her mother. "Why...?"

"I'm doing this for your own good!" her mother cried, shaking her head in despair.

Andrew shoved Susan away. "Rot in prison."

Three days later, Susan was escorted into Greenhill Penitentiary.

The iron gate slammed shut behind her.

That very night, she was pinned to the cold concrete floor and beaten mercilessly.

"Heard you pissed off Mr. Lucas?" a female inmate sneered, yanking her hair.

Susan curled into a corner, blood trickling from her split lip.

She thought of Daniel in the hospital.

"I can't die," she whispered through gritted teeth.

On the seventh day, Nicole appeared at the visitation window.

Dressed in an elegant Chanel suit, she smiled sweetly.

"Sister, I came to share some good news."