5 a 93 When I opened my eyes again , everything felt numb . Bryson's face lit up with relief the moment he saw me . " Hedy , you're finally awake , " he said , his voice brimming with joy . His eyes softened with pity as he carefully gathered me into his arms , just like he used to - like nothing about Debbii had ever happened . " Give me back my phone ." I pushed him away hard , my expression blank , my voice flat . For a second , his expression stiffened . Then , forcing a placating smile , he said softly , " Hedy , I've already paid for your mom's treatment . She's fine now . " I didn't reply . I simply held out my hand , palm up , demanding . His face darkened . Still , he placed the phone into my palm . " Hedy , I know you're still thinking about what happened yesterday , " he said , voice lowering , " but you were the one who made a mistake . You should apologize to Debbii . " I let out a cold laugh . " Apologize to Debbii ? I was the one locked in a freezing storage room . My mom was the one who almost died . And you want me to apologize to her ? " He hadn't expected me to explode like that ; his face turned cold . " I've explained this to you so many times - Debbii didn't do it on purpose . You're the one who left a scar on her neck , the one who ruined her reputation in the industry . You must hold a press conference to clear things up and apologize to her in person ." I stared at him in disbelief . Was he insane ? He wanted me to apologize to the person who nearly killed my mom ? Grinding my teeth , I pushed myself up from the bed . I needed to leave , to go to the hospital and see how my mom was doing . But before I could take a single step , his hand shot out and grabbed me , iron - tight . " This isn't a negotiation , Hedy , " he warned , his tone cold . " The press conference is in five days . Start preparing now . Don't forget - your brother's still in prison , and your mom's in a hospital owned by the Lundeberg Corporation . " His words froze the blood in my veins . My mom and my brother were still in his hands . I had no power to resist . 4 3/3 14.8 % 5 9:43 Wed , Oct 15 I looked at him blankly , my heart like stone . A 193 " Five days , right ? Fine , " I said at last . " I'll do it . But you're going to pull all your people off my brother's case and let the process go through normally ." If he withdrew his men , I could arrange for mine to step in . That way , five days from now , my brother could leave with me and my mom . I kept my expression steady as I looked at Bryson . For a fleeting moment , he felt as though I were far , far away from him . I could tell his heart gave a small , panicked tremor as he reached out a hand toward me . But before he could say anything , Debbii called him . By the time he returned from answering her call , Bryson agreed to my terms without hesitation . He left with a smile , holding the contract I had just signed . I struggled to my feet and headed straight for the hospital . When I reached my mom's room , what awaited me wasn't her lying in bed but hospital staff clearing out the space . A sudden wave of dread surged up inside me . I grabbed the nearest staff member's hand , trembling . " The patient who was here - where is she ? " I demanded . She gave me an impatient glance . " Dead , " she said flatly . " Family couldn't pay the fees . She held on for a whole day before passing . Her body's in the morgue . " All of a sudden , the world tilted . I dropped to my knees on the cold floor , nearly fainting . " No ... that's impossible . Bryson said he paid . How could she be dead ? " I shook my head frantically , refusing to believe it . At the sound of Bryson's name , the staff member suddenly became interested . She gave me a slow once - over , then sneered . " Oh , so you're that little homewrecker everyone's been talking about ? Everyone here knows Sir Bryson is Miss Debbii's boyfriend . They've been childhood sweethearts . You're the only shameless one trying to use your mom's illness to cling to him . " She let out a sharp laugh . " Your mom's medical fees ? Nobody paid a cent . But yesterday , Miss Debbii took a full million from Sir Bryson and treated the hospital staff to afternoon tea . See ? Some people are just born lucky while others aren't . Guess you've finally learned your place , 2/3 17.3 % 9:43 Wed , Oct 15 huh ? " 493 93 Blood roared in my ears when I heard that . My eyes burned red , like they were bleeding . So Bryson hadn't refused to pay for my mom's treatment . It was Debbii - she'd taken the money and spent it on tea for the hospital staff ?! I couldn't take it anymore . Shoving the staff member aside , I ran for the morgue . The moment I pulled back the white sheet , my vision went black , and I collapsed onto the cold floor of the morgue . 3/3