Chapter 20

Susan's fingers trembled, nearly dropping her phone. She couldn't let Daniel find out about her critical condition.

"Daniel, come here." She knelt and pulled her son into her arms. "Did you hear what Mommy just said to Uncle?"

Daniel nodded, his dark eyes filled with worry.

"Silly boy." Susan tapped his nose lightly. "Mommy was just acting. You know how those pretty ladies on TV pretend to be pitiful, right?"

"Really?" The three-and-a-half-year-old looked up, his lashes fluttering.

"Of course!" She pinched his chubby cheek. "Lying makes people ugly. Mommy would never do that."

The hospital door suddenly swung open. Andrew Lucas strode in, his expression icy as he snatched his forgotten car keys. As he turned, his lips curled into a mocking smirk.

Susan lowered her gaze, then looked up again with a bright smile. But Daniel suddenly wriggled free and charged at Andrew like a little lion.

"Bad man!" The child sank his teeth into Andrew's wrist, drawing blood instantly.

"Daniel!" Susan rushed forward in panic.

Andrew jerked his arm violently, sending Daniel crashing to the floor. The bandage on the boy's wound bloomed crimson.

"Know your place." Andrew spat the words and left without a backward glance.

Susan's hands shook as she pressed the call button. Daniel was sweating from pain, yet he reached up to wipe her tears. "Don't cry, Mommy. It doesn't hurt."

The more understanding he was, the deeper Susan's heart ached. She swore silently—no matter what, she would secure the money for his surgery.

Meanwhile, Nicole Capra paced her hospital room, agitation tightening her chest. She had just received word—Catherine Capra, who had been comatose, was showing signs of waking.

"Don't hurt Susan." Those were Catherine's first words upon regaining consciousness.

Nicole's nails dug into her palms. She had to act before Catherine fully recovered.

The opportunity came unexpectedly. Victor Thompson stepped out temporarily, and the nurse was absent. Nicole approached the bed, her fingers hovering over the oxygen mask.

The blinking red light of the surveillance camera made her hesitate. Instead, she "tenderly" adjusted the mask's position.

"Mom, get better soon..." She fake-sobbed, then froze when she felt Catherine's fingers twitch.

A chill ran down Nicole's spine. She needed to move faster.

Back in her own room, she dialed Susan's number.

"Let's make a deal." Nicole's voice dripped with arrogant confidence. "One million dollars, plus access to the world's top medical specialists."

Silence stretched on the other end.

"Pull the plug on Catherine, and Daniel gets to live." She lowered her voice. "One or the other. Fair, don't you think?"