Chapter 77

When Julia heard Henry's implication, she worried - was he suspecting her?

She immediately defended herself, "Let me be clear - I had absolutely nothing to do with this! If I were responsible, why would I even show you? The guilty-person-points-fingers strategy would be rather foolish, don't you think?"

"I could have easily pretended nothing happened and returned her to you after her injuries healed," she added, giving Henry a sideways glance. "More importantly, I'm not that despicable. Adults' issues should remain between adults... children should be left completely out of it!"

Julia certainly seemed the most suspicious candidate.

Joseph and Stephen had been expelled from kindergarten, so she likely harbored resentment toward Henry.

She had also taken Tiffany.

The injuries had occurred while Tiffany was under her care, and she had spent the most time alone with the child.

If Henry truly believed it was her, there wasn't much she could do to convince him otherwise.

Realizing this, Julia took a deep breath.

Her eyes met Henry's with urgency, desperately trying to convey that she wasn't responsible.

Henry, of course, didn't believe Julia was responsible. As before, if Julia had malicious intentions, she wouldn't have chosen this moment to act.

Tiffany's autism symptoms had flared up, and he was already extremely worried.

If Julia had harmed Tiffany, she would have been immediately exposed!

Besides, she was Tiffany's biological mother - there was a maternal bond he trusted.

Henry's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't suspect you. I have someone else in mind."

Julia quickly asked, "Who do you suspect?"

Henry couldn't say, but his mind went to last night when his parents had taken Tiffany - partly because they wanted to spend time with their granddaughter, and partly because they hoped Vivian would bond with Tiffany.

Only then would he agree to marry Vivian.

His parents would never mistreat Tiffany - they wouldn't even bear to see her lose a single hair, let alone hurt her.

So... the only suspicious person was Vivian!

Tiffany had always been averse to Vivian. Whenever Vivian touched her, Tiffany would practically run away, clinging to the household staff or anyone else - anyone but Vivian.

He had always wondered why.

Vivian seemed fine with Tiffany on the surface.

Now the mystery was solved.

She had been abusing Tiffany in private!

After waiting without receiving Henry's answer, Julia pressed, "Who is it? Say something!"

"Please look after Tiffany for now. I have an urgent matter to attend to," Henry said, his eyes darkening ominously.

He briefly said goodbye to Julia before striding quickly out of her home.

Julia watched his hurried silhouette disappear, her heart aching for Tiffany!

Who could be so cruel as to hurt an innocent child?

Since her last encounter with Henry, Vivian had been quite shaken by his intimidating demeanor.

Even after returning home, the feeling had persisted for quite some time.

Henry's gaze had been truly oppressive—so oppressive that she felt completely disoriented.

Just as she was about to call Henry's parents to help intervene on her behalf, the doorbell rang.

The butler went to answer, and moments later, he ushered in a man.

It was none other than Henry.

His face was contorted with rage, his eyes filled with fury.

Vivian's recently calmed nerves immediately tensed again as she nervously swallowed. "Henry... what brings you here?"

His anger intensified as he strode toward her and grabbed her by the throat!

Vivian instinctively tried to dodge but was too late. She could only feign confusion. "Henry... what's wrong? You're frightening me."

At that moment, Henry resembled a demon straight from hell, his malevolent eyes too terrifying to meet directly.

He had no patience for her continued act. "Tiffany's injuries - you did it!" he accused.

Vivian's heart raced. He had discovered Tiffany's injuries?

She had struck the child's bottom - how could he have found out so quickly?

She felt his grip tighten around her neck, nearly cutting off her breath. She quickly pleaded, "Henry, I don't know what you're talking about! Please let go - we can talk calmly, alright?"

Henry's vengeful eyes remained fixed on her. "Still acting? Vivian, how long do you plan to keep up this charade?"

Pale-faced, Vivian continued her defense, "I'm not acting... I've only ever cared for Tiffany. How could I possibly hurt her? What's happened to Tiffany? I truly know nothing. I'm innocent, Henry, you have to believe me!"

Henry remained unmoved, watching tears stream down her face while maintaining his grip on her throat.

Vivian was using all her strength just to breathe.

She had no choice but to deny everything!

If Henry was this brutal based on mere suspicion, she feared what would happen to the entire Jones family if she confessed.

Seeing Vivian nearly strangled, the butler, despite knowing that Henry was the untouchable CEO of the Hearst Group, found the courage to intervene, "Mr. Hearst... please release her. Miss Jones is... turning blue..."

Henry showed no intention of letting go.

Fearing the worst, the butler pried Henry's hand away.

Once released, Vivian immediately gasped for air, coughing several times.

Henry gradually regained his composure and coldly regarded Vivian. "Since you enjoy acting so much, continue your performance. You can pray that Tiffany remains in her current state, but if she recovers, I'll confirm everything with her immediately. If you're innocent, I'll apologize. If not... well, you can find out what consequences await you!"

With those words, he departed.

Vivian collapsed to the floor, her expression transforming from terror to rage. It was all because of that little brat Tiffany! Why couldn't she just die?

If God could hear her prayers, she would trade a year of her life for that little wretch to die!

Die now!

Drop dead!

Julia stayed vigilantly by Tiffany's side and called Joseph and Stephen over to keep her company.

She went downstairs to fetch the medical kit and applied medicine to Tiffany's injured bottom.

As she treated the wounds, she fought back tears.

Seeing their mother's reddened eyes, Joseph and Stephen also became teary-eyed. "Mommy, we've tried everything to get Tiffany to interact with us, but she doesn't respond. Will she ever come out of her shell?"