Noticing Paige's troubled expression, Margaret quickly added, "Don't rush to respond to my proposal. We've already arrived at the facility, haven't we? Why don't you go visit your mother first? Afterward, I'm sure you'll make the right decision."
With that, Margaret led the way, not even checking to see if Paige was following.
Of course, Paige had to follow; she was eager to see her mother. At this moment, no other matter could hold greater importance.
Although Paige could not comprehend the source of Margaret's confidence in thinking she could coerce her so easily. She knew that, even if she could not reveal her identity, she would find a way to take her mother away no matter what stood in her way.
Margaret took Paige directly to the hospital room.
After changing into sterile gown, they were allowed to enter. Paige herself was trained in medicine, and such stringent precautions indicated just how fragile her mother's health had become.
As soon as she entered, Paige instinctively wanted to rush over and embrace her mom. But on closer inspection, she saw her mother's body emaciated under the sheets, with various tubes inserted everywhere.
Paige barely caught a glimpse as the doctor lifted the sheet to administer an injection, and she felt an overwhelming sourness in her nose.
Her heart felt like it was being clenched tightly, the pain was excruciating.
Turning around, her eyes blazed with fury at Margaret, "You promised! After five years locked away, you promised to take care of her. Is this how? How did she get like this?" Her emotions surged uncontrollably.
Just as her hand reached for Margaret's collar, a doctor interrupted, "Please calm down. This is a hospital ward."
Paige, with a heart full of pain, was suddenly halted in her outburst.
Her mother, her ultimate vulnerability, her Achilles' heel.
Even skilled in combat, she had to suppress it.
Paige clenched her teeth, stepped forward, and gently cradled her mother's hand within her own, tenderly caressing it.
Standing behind Paige, Margaret remained composed, undeterred by the previous possible confrontation. As the longstanding matriarch of the Sackler family, Margaret had weathered many storms; to her, Paige's fierceness was likened to the impetuousness of the inexperienced, hardly intimidating, certainly not a worthy opponent.
With her characteristic calm, Margaret said, "I did promise to take good care of your mother, didn't I? And I have. The best healthcare center in Northwind, the most expensive medical team money can buy. Do you have any idea how much it costs to keep her here for a year?"
Back turned to Margaret, Paige wiped away a tear before facing her. "Is this what you call taking care of her? If you were, why is she in this condition now?"
Unfazed by the challenge, Margaret coolly replied, "She's been in a vegetative state, kept alive for five years by the expensive care of top-notch doctors and medication. I kept my promise, didn't I?"
As Margaret finished speaking, a doctor interjected, "Madam, we've run out of the medication for the patient. May I know when can you deliver the next batch?"
"Very soon," Margaret replied, then turned to Paige's sister, "Xena, accompany the doctor to check on your mother’s recent health reports. I need to have a word with your sister in private."
Xena nodded, preparing to leave with the doctor. But Paige suddenly released her mother's hand, turned, and asked, "Medication? What medication? Are you telling me her treatment doesn't come from the hospital but from outside?"
The doctor began to speak but was cut off by Margaret's gesture to leave.
Margaret then turned to Paige, "That's exactly what we need to discuss privately."
The doctor nodded and exited with Xena. As the door closed behind them, Paige realized there must be more to her mother's illness than met the eye, and Margaret's leverage over her, to be the Sackler family's secret pawn, hinged on some hidden factor.
Paige stepped closer, "How ruthless you are! What have you done to my mom? She's not really in a vegetative state, is she? She was supposed to wake up long ago, wasn't she?"
Margaret laughed as she casually sat down on the nearby sofa, her demeanor as serene as ever.
When Margaret's gaze lifted to meet Paige's again, her eyes sparkled with an added touch of surprise.
"You know," she chuckled, "I never expected that five years in prison wouldn't just break you, but actually help you grow so much. It’s a real shame. If you were my biological granddaughter, I’d certainly favor you over Xena."
Paige had no interest in Margaret’s nonsense, "What have you been drugging my mom with?"
Margaret's smile broadened, "After you were locked up, I hired a team of international pharmaceutical experts to create a special drug, 'Somnolent X' just for your mother. Look at her, sleeping so peacefully.
My son, Xena's father, was utterly enchanted by your mother’s beauty, madly in love, he married her against all opposition. I was sympathetic to his desires, so I let him have his way. But what did this woman do in return? She betrayed my son, had an affair, and brought you, a disgrace, into this world. And then, my dear son, learning the bitter truth, died in a car accident. The fact that I let her live is already a grand act of mercy."
Chills ran down Paige’s spine at Margaret's words. The vegetable story was all a lie.
Staring at the woman before her, Paige realized that Margaret wasn’t just manipulative, but terrifyingly monstrous. Disbelief etched on her face, she accused, "My mom’s not in a vegetative state. It’s you, you've been having the doctor administer her with unknown drugs to keep her unconscious!"
Finally standing up, Margaret strolled towards the bed but was swiftly blocked by Paige stepping in front of her. Smiling faintly, Margaret said, "She's already like this, I wouldn't do anything else to her. But what about you? Have you made up your mind?"
Margaret flashed a grin at Paige, yet to Paige, she seemed as ghastly as a cannibalistic specter.
Despite knowing Margaret's ruthless nature, Paige hadn't imagined she would go this far. As Paige scrutinized her, Margaret added, "Xena grew up coddled by me, like a delicate flower. Some tasks, however, are just perfect for you to handle."
The moment Margaret’s words fell, Paige shoved her aside forcefully. Margaret stumbled, barely steadying herself against the couch.
Paige was ready to take her mother and leave when Margaret's face cracked into a twisted smile, shouting with fervor, "If you don’t want her dead, don’t touch her! 'Somnolent X' is my personal concoction. Without timely doses, she won’t make it!"