Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Michael's face turned extremely ugly, but he couldn't do anything about Matthew. He could only grit his teeth and say coldly, "Mr. Griffin, this is a family matter between Claire and me. Isn't it a bit too much for you to interfere?"

Joanna's voice was full of disgust.

"Claire is not family with you! You're about to get divorced. Besides, your dad pushed someone and put my mom in the ICU - that's a fact. Do you think you can just brush it off with a few words? Dream on!"

Michael looked at Matthew, who was full of hostility, clenched his fists, and softened his tone. "Claire, name your condition. What will it take for you to let my dad go?"

Even now, he still thought I would compromise?

"I wish I could kill him. I'll never forgive him! I want him in jail!"

My tone was so final that Heather's face went pale with fear.

She stamped her feet, suddenly pushed Amanda forward - who hadn't said a word - and slapped her hard on the back, saying angrily, "This is all your fault! All your fault! If you hadn't meddled, Austin wouldn't be in trouble. It's all because of you!"

Amanda staggered backward from the blows, screaming as she quickly brought up the baby. "Mom, I'm pregnant! Don't you care about your grandchild anymore?"

Heather didn't care at all. She kept hitting harder and harder through gritted teeth until she was out of breath. Then she looked at me pitifully, trying to gain sympathy. "Claire, I know you hate Amanda, not Austin. This whole thing started because of her. If you want to take it out on someone, take it out on her. Whatever you want to do, we absolutely won't stop you."

Amanda couldn't believe Heather would sell her out so easily. She looked at her in disbelief.

"Mom!"

Heather glared back without mercy, her tone disgusted. "Don't blame me for being heartless. The baby in your belly isn't worth Austin's life."

Hearing Heather's words, I sneered inwardly.

She was saying this because she knew I wouldn't do anything to Amanda, much less hurt the baby in her belly. She was just betting I wouldn't dare make a move, hoping I'd soften.

I had to admit, Heather was much smarter than Michael.

Seeing she couldn't get through to Heather, Amanda turned to Michael with a cold face and asked, "You think so too? You're going to throw me under the bus too? I'm carrying your child!"

Michael pressed his thin lips together, glanced up at me, then gritted his teeth and said, "This whole thing started because of you. Who told you to make that phone call? If something goes wrong, you should take responsibility."

Amanda was clearly furious.

I sneered.

Amanda was so stupid. In this family, everyone except the daughter-in-law was family.

I was too tired to watch them put on an act. After all this drama, I was exhausted.

"Stop the act. I'm definitely calling the police. We'll see each other in court."

With that, I took Matthew's phone and dialed the police.

Seeing this, Heather quickly pushed Michael. "Hurry up, say something for your dad!"

Michael gritted his teeth and rushed over.

Facing my expressionless look, Michael said helplessly through clenched teeth, "I know you're angry, but my dad is old and really can't handle this. In the years you've been married into our family, he hasn't treated you badly, has he?"

Austin didn't talk much and seemed like an honest man.

But honest people are often calculating.

Although he never said anything, whenever Heather or Michael wanted to do something, he always silently supported them.

Today, when he angrily tried to push me down the stairs, it showed how vicious he really was.

I pressed the call button without hesitation.

Michael tried to stop me but was intimidated by Matthew's look and could only stand there helplessly.

I told the police everything that happened today in detail.

Half an hour later, the police came and took Austin away.

Before leaving, Michael looked at me coldly and said harshly, "You're really heartless."

Then he followed Heather out of the hospital.

Once they left, the world seemed to quiet down. Finally, there was no more noise in my ears, but a deep sense of powerlessness and exhaustion swept over me.

My back bent, my feet went weak, but fortunately Matthew was quick to catch me.

I looked up at him. His eyes were full of concern as he asked softly, "Are you okay?"

At that moment, all the grievance and fear came rushing up. I broke down and started crying, grabbing his sleeve and looking at him helplessly.

"The doctor said my mom might have aftereffects when she wakes up, or what if she never wakes up? I don't know how to tell my dad. He'll be so heartbroken when he finds out."

Matthew gently wiped the tears from my eyes, his tone serious. "Don't worry, I've already had someone contact the most professional brain specialists abroad. Your mom will be fine, don't worry."

I felt both grateful and guilty.

Guilty for how I treated him before, grateful that despite everything, he still treated me so well without reservation.

Seeing me cry so sadly, Joanna also started tearing up, but she forced a smile to comfort me. "Claire, don't cry. Mr. Griffin said if he can save mom, he definitely can. Don't worry."

I wiped my tears, then remembered Joanna was still there, and someone still had to hold this family together.

After wiping my face clean, I remembered to ask, "How did you get here?"

Matthew raised an eyebrow and looked at Joanna.

Joanna cleared her throat and explained quietly, "On my way here, I was so scared that I called Mr. Griffin. I thought with his resources and connections, he should be able to get specialists. I know it's kind of taking advantage of him, but I couldn't think about that. Mom is what matters most."

I understood what Joanna meant. Although I felt embarrassed, I had to admit she did the right thing.

She also considered that I might be too embarrassed to call Matthew myself, so she took the initiative to call him.

Either way, I had to thank Matthew for this.

I looked at him seriously, my tone gentle. "Mr. Griffin, thank you for your help. If my mom gets better, I'll bring her to thank you in person."

Matthew didn't say anything, just smiled warmly and tilted his chin. "The specialist I contacted should be here soon. Go wash your face. When the specialist arrives, you looking like this won't be appropriate."

I nodded and followed Joanna to the restroom to calm down.

Joanna seemed a bit cautious, as if afraid I'd be angry. Looking at me in the mirror, she said quietly, "Claire, are you mad at me for calling Mr. Griffin without asking? Even though mom said you shouldn't get involved with Mr. Griffin again..."

"Don't talk nonsense." I reached out and took her hand. "I'm not mad at you. You were more decisive than me. I should be happy."

Joanna immediately brightened up.

"That's good. Actually, Mr. Griffin is a pretty good person, at least better than Michael."

I smiled, understanding her hint.

Who could say otherwise? But Michael was good to me at first too, he just changed later.

People are all changeable.