Chapter 44 She Is Not the First, Nor Will She Be the Last
The driver started the car and drove off.
Suddenly, a black car raced past them from behind.
Evelyn's face immediately darkened.
Meanwhile, Cordelia's work group chat was buzzing with activity, notifications popping up non-stop.
Evelyn glanced at Cordelia.
Cordelia pulled out her phone and gave an awkward smile. "It's the work chat, I can't just mute it."
As she spoke, she looked down at her phone and realized that a colleague had added her to a new group chat.
[Oh my God, Ruth is out for revenge on Janet for her granddaughter-in-law!]
[Dr. Stone, did you get a heads-up? Is that why you left work early?]
[I'm so curious about Mrs. Hughes! She crushed Janet without even showing up.]
Messages were coming in rapidly, showing the excitement among the colleagues.
Cordelia stared at the messages, lost in thought.
Evelyn leaned over to take a look and immediately instructed the driver.
"Head to Sunrise Valley Hospital."
Cordelia hesitated and snapped back to reality.
"Evelyn, we should just go home."
She didn't want to witness Alaric defending Janet.
Evelyn, slightly tipsy and feeling bold, was not handling the situation as calmly as usual.
"Besides, Janet mistook you for Alaric's wife when you ran into her at the hospital."
"We shouldn't make things worse."
Evelyn laughed at Cordelia's suggestion.
"Well, now I definitely have to go."
Cordelia found Evelyn's smile a bit terrifying and was about to speak when Evelyn covered her mouth.
"Enough, just listen to me."
Cordelia fell silent.
At Sunrise Valley Hospital.
Ruth stood in Janet's room.
Janet nervously got out of bed.
"Mrs. Hughes, what brings you here?"
Ruth's expression was cold, her posture still upright despite her age, exuding authority.
"I heard you were hospitalized, so I came to check on you."
"To hook up with Alaric, you even harmed your own body. Do you really think this will keep Alaric by your side?"
Janet's expression changed slightly. After her last discharge, Alaric's attitude had noticeably cooled. This time, his visits had become more frequent. She had indeed considered such a plan, but the pain was unbearable.
Ruth's words struck a nerve, exposing Janet's unspoken thoughts, making her feel guilty.
But she immediately denied it.
"Mrs. Hughes, you misunderstand."
Ruth didn't give Janet a chance to explain.
"Misunderstand? I don't think I misunderstood anything."
"You once said if I funded your overseas studies, you'd never see Alaric again, demanding three years' worth of expenses upfront. Which of your demands did I not meet? And now, you go back on your word?"
Janet's face turned pale, unable to meet Ruth's gaze.
"Mrs. Hughes, if it weren't for your money humiliating me, I wouldn't have left Alaric!"
Ruth sneered, "Humiliated by money? Wasn't it you who willingly accepted it?"
Janet bit her lip, unable to find words to refute Ruth.
Outside the room, some patients' families were watching.
The butler was about to close the door, but Ruth spoke softly.
"No need to close it. This kind of homewrecker deserves nothing but contempt."
Janet's face turned even paler, her head hung in silence.
Alaric pushed through the crowd to the door, closing it behind him. Seeing Ruth's domineering stance, he frowned.
"Grandma, what are you doing?"
Janet's tears fell upon seeing Alaric enter the room.
"Even if I'm poor, Mrs. Hughes, you shouldn't humiliate me like this. When I came back, I didn't know Alaric was married."
She spoke, tears streaming down.
"Alaric, tell her, I've never ruined your marriage."
Ruth coldly laughed at Janet's pitiful act when Alaric entered.
Alaric frowned and approached Ruth.
"Grandma. She hasn't ruined my marriage. Your actions here damage her reputation and mine. Let's go."
Ruth snorted, looking at Alaric.
"What reputation do you have left? At Sunrise Valley Hospital, it's no secret Janet is your mistress."
Alaric had placed Janet right under Cordelia's nose and pressured Cordelia to operate on Janet.
If Cordelia hadn't decided to divorce and resign, Ruth wouldn't have known!
Ruth gritted her teeth, "Alaric, you're being a real jerk."
Alaric's eyes darkened.
Despite the closed door, people outside could still hear the commotion.
Evelyn stepped out of the elevator, seeing the crowd gathered at the door, even patients with casts standing at the front.
Cordelia refused to face the situation.
So Evelyn went up alone.
Evelyn addressed the crowd.
"Looks like this is Janet's room. Could you please make some space?"
She wore a black, stylish suit dress, standing at the back of the crowd with a faint smile.
Everyone turned, eyes brightening at her presence.
Evelyn's appearance was that of a classic beauty, her smile carrying an air of aloofness and unapproachable elegance.
Seeing the crowd parting to make way, Evelyn smiled lightly.
She walked to the door and knocked.
People speculated if she was Alaric's wife, her image and demeanor fitting the bill.
The butler opened the door, pausing upon seeing Evelyn.
Evelyn smiled at the butler, Clifford.
"Clifford."
Clifford nodded quickly and let Evelyn in.
The door closed again.
Evelyn's entrance drew everyone's attention.
Ruth was surprised, glaring at Alaric.
Everyone knew Evelyn fiercely protected Cordelia, only allowing herself to discipline her, not tolerating anyone else's comments.
With Evelyn here, the situation wouldn't end simply.
"Evelyn, why are you here?"
Evelyn smiled, "I heard you were here, so I came to see."
Janet's face turned even paler, her body trembling, clutching the bed rail nervously.
Evelyn's gaze lightly fell on Janet, her smile bright.
Evelyn rarely smiled, but when she did, it was stunning.
"Why waste your energy on such a woman? Women like her, who use every means, even their bodies, to climb the social ladder, are far too common. She's not the first, and she won't be the last."