Chapter 40

Elsie's warm, soft hand rested on Albert's head, making him momentarily forget what he wanted to say.

The two returned to the sanitorium, and suddenly, Elsie's phone buzzed.

She glanced at it and saw a message from Aline, sharing a piece of entertainment news.

Seeing the familiar figure on the cover, Elsie's face turned pale instantly.

Scandal: [Gold-digging mute seduces CEO, interferes with cousin's relationship, and dates multiple men simultaneously.]

Just reading the headline gave her a headache.

She knew she shouldn't let it affect her, but she couldn't help but click on the video.

Almost immediately, she recognized when this had happened.

She instantly realized this was a trap set by Missy.

[The mute girl can attract so many men; she really has some skills!]

[Such a shameless person is hard to find in this world. Look at her vicious face, pushing the CEO's wife down, clearly wanting the pregnant woman and her baby to die!]

[People like this should be thrown in jail and executed, so they don't waste air while alive.]

[Cheaters don't deserve to live. Cheaters should just die!]

Her fingers incessantly scrolled through the spiteful comments. Despite her persistent efforts to disregard them, it felt as though her heart was being sliced by a gentle blade, causing an acute yet subtle pain.

These people didn't even bother to find out the truth, convicting her based on their imagination.

Why?

Elsie clutched her chest, tears welling up in her eyes as she read the hateful words, her lips turning pale from biting them.

So, the disdainful and strange looks from others these past few days were because of this?

She had unknowingly become the laughingstock of others, the target of their ridicule?

Albert, who had walked a few steps ahead, noticed Elsie hadn't followed and turned back curiously.

Seeing Elsie's shaky state, he immediately sensed something was wrong.

Without hesitation, Albert pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her back to comfort her. "Elsie, what's wrong?"

Elsie stepped out of Albert's embrace, wiped her tears, forced a smile, and shook her head, trying to appear calm.

She signed with her hands as usual. "It's nothing, just the wind blowing something into my eyes. I'm fine now."

She clutched her phone tightly, looking at Albert, her mind racing.

Had Albert seen the video too? Was he judging her in his heart?

Elsie didn't dare think too much. She walked past Albert and headed to her room.

Once inside, she locked the door, ignoring Albert's knocking.

Albert immediately sensed something was amiss and didn't know what to do.

After some thought, he called Bruce, but after three attempts with no answer, he had to give up.

"Elsie, what's wrong? If something happened, tell us. The people here will help you!"

"Refusing to talk isn't gonna fix anything!"

Albert knocked on the door, keeping his voice low to avoid alerting the nurses.

Inside, there was a muffled sound, as if Elsie trying to suppress her sobs.

Albert grew more anxious and ran to the nurse's station.

Each room had two keys: one for the resident and one for the nursing staff.

He was determined to get that key and open the door.

In the quiet room, the phone's ringtone sounded sharp and ominous.

Elsie glanced at the phone, seeing an unfamiliar number. She hesitated but answered.

The next second, curses poured out like an avalanche, overwhelming Elsie.

"You shameless woman, how dare you seduce your cousin's husband? You deserve to die, get hit by a car, die in an earthquake and choke on your food."

Elsie's trembling fingers ended the call and turned off the phone, looking at it as if it were a monster.

Why did no one want to find out the truth, only to blame her?

She was the original wife, the one whose husband was stolen. She was the real victim!

Why wouldn't anyone listen to her?

Elsie suddenly remembered she couldn't speak.

All her strength left her, and even the air seemed to be sucked away.

She clutched her throat, making a sound like a draining tank, her lungs running out of air.

She couldn't breathe.

Finally, Elsie fell into darkness, completely losing consciousness.

"Oh, Ronald, the lady beside you is truly beautiful. You two make a great pair."

At the party, Ronald clinked glasses with his business partner, Lawrence Thomas, with Missy on his arm.

Lawrence was the owner of a famous international chain of stores. Ronald wanted to use his influence to promote the York Group's latest fashion line globally.

Knowing Lawrence enjoyed seeing attractive couples, Ronald brought a date.

Lawrence's words were music to Missy's ears.

She downed her champagne, smiling brightly at Lawrence. "You have a great eye, Mr. Thomas."

She wore a high-slit, strapless gown that perfectly concealed her baby bump.

She gracefully took another glass of champagne from a waiter's tray and drank it.

"Missy, you shouldn't drink anymore. Alcohol isn't good for the baby."

Ronald's deep, husky voice sounded in her ear. Missy paused but then downed the drink.

She wiped her lips, smiling seductively, leaning her head on Ronald's shoulder, half-drunk. "Okay, Ronald, I'll listen to you."

She was in a great mood, feeling happy all over.

The more people cursed Elsie, the happier she was!

Just then, a phone rang at the party.

Missy took her phone from her purse, walking to a quiet spot under everyone's gaze.

In the garden, seeing no one around, Missy dialed the number.