Chapter 49 I want to see with my own eyes how she buries herself.
The campus was bustling with the end of morning classes, but Katherine moved like a shadow through the crowd, exiting through the back gate directly to Adam's car. The air inside the vehicle was charged with a silent urgency.
“Jessica hasn't been discharged yet, and I've received information that the atmosphere at the hospital is tense,” Adam informed her as he maneuvered the car.
He was about to deliver the detailed report when Katherine's cell phone vibrated. Adam fell silent, waiting for her to answer, but she just glanced at the screen and swiped her finger, rejecting the call without hesitation.
“Who was it, Boss?” Adam asked, curious.
“I don't know. Unknown number.”
Katherine shrugged, assuming it was just another commercial spam call. She had no time for distractions.
“Understood. Well, the news is that the Mendes Board of Directors has received the evidence we sent. Luana has been suspended,” Adam smiled, satisfied. “She's in a complete panic.”
Right now, she's at the hospital trying to intimidate Jessica. I could have sent some men to take care of it, you didn't need to go. You should eat first.
“It's not urgent,” Katherine replied, her eyes fixed on the landscape rushing past the window. “I want to see with my own eyes how she buries herself.”
At the elite hospital, the atmosphere in the VIP wing was oppressive. Luana Mendes, dressed in a vibrant red that looked like blood on the white marble, blocked the entrance to the room with the arrogance of someone who still felt like she owned the world.
“Step aside,” Luana ordered the young nurse who was trying to pass with the medication cart. “I'm her family. She doesn't need IV fluids right now. Go away.”
“You're not a doctor,” retorted the nurse impatiently. “The patient is unconscious and needs intravenous support to recover. Preventing treatment will have serious adverse effects.”
Luana let out a cold laugh, her 12 cm heels echoing in the hallway. “Adverse effects? I'd like to see how bad they can be.”
Get her out of here!
At Luana's command, the two bodyguards dragged the nurse away. Luana entered the room, closing the door with a sharp click.
Jessica lay on the bed, pale and fragile. The scars from the attack in the forest were a cruel reminder of her vulnerability. Luana approached, watching her sister with sadistic pleasure.
“My dear sister... keep sleeping. I'll arrange for your discharge soon, and when you're home, under my roof, you can sleep forever.
Luana leaned over, whispering in her sister's ear: ”You made so many enemies that I didn't even have to try. Someone already tried to kill you for me. Do you think Daddy would rest in peace if the Mendes were handed over to a useless person like you?
At that moment, Jessica's fingers trembled. With superhuman effort, she opened her eyes, staring at her sister's distorted face.
“Ah, you're awake,” Luana sneered, sitting up gracefully. “I hope you heard me. You're out of the family business. Sign the waiver, accept a miserable pension, and disappear. If you cause any more trouble for the company, I'll make this city your personal hell.”
Jessica let out a hoarse, almost inaudible laugh. “Very well... since that's how it is... come closer. I have one last request.”
Confident of her victory, Luana leaned forward, bringing her ear close to Jessica's lips. In a lightning-fast movement, Jessica ignored the pain of her injuries and grabbed Luana's hair with brute force. With her other hand, she reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and poured it over her sister's head.
“You die first,” hissed Jessica, her eyes ablaze. “Then I'll think about giving you the Mendes' ashes.”
Luana recoiled with a cry of rage, her hair soaked and her makeup running. She was about to attack her sister when a knock at the door interrupted her.
“Ma'am, a college classmate, Miss Katherine, is outside to see Jessica.”
Luana froze. An evil idea flashed in her eyes. She turned to Jessica with a cruel smile. “In a little while, you'll be the one suffering.”
She quickly composed herself and opened the door. Katherine was there, impeccable and silent.
“Is Jessica here?” Katherine asked, her tone neutral.
Luana closed the door behind her, instantly assuming the role of protective and suffering sister. She held Katherine's hand with false familiarity.
“Katherine, right? Jessica talks about you a lot,” Luana lied, letting out a dramatic sigh. “She's unstable right now, she needs to rest. But I'm glad you came. I'd like to apologize on her behalf.”
“Apologize?” Katherine raised an eyebrow.
"Yes... I heard what she did to you at school. Damaging your desk on purpose, plotting revenge with bullies... she's even spreading lies about you to the teachers. I tried to stop her, but she's incorrigible. You're such a kind soul for coming to visit her after all that."
Katherine watched Luana's performance. The coldness in her eyes intensified. Luana was using the exact same script she had used years ago to turn Jessica against her.
“So... she's been plotting revenge behind my back?” Katherine asked, her voice soft as silk but dangerous as a razor.
Luana nodded vigorously, thinking she had caught her prey.
Katherine curled her lips into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. This woman has really become addicted to using me as a pawn, she thought. Too bad she didn't realize that the board now belongs to me.
Katherine was in no hurry. She watched Luana's performance with a clinical eye and, in a tone of voice that seemed only casual, delivered the first blow:
“Out of curiosity... your husband's name is Oscar Gonçalves, right?”
Luana's smile froze. The abrupt transition of the conversation to her husband caught her completely off guard. “Yes, that's him. Why?” she asked, instantly becoming defensive.
“Oh, no reason.” Katherine looked away with calculated indifference, which only served to fuel Luana's paranoia.
“Just say what you want to say!” Luana took a step forward, her voice high-pitched with anxiety. “Don't hide anything!”
“Very well, then.” Katherine gave Adam an imperceptible signal.
Luana fixed her eyes on him, the memory finally clicking into place. “You... you're the lawyer who showed up out of nowhere that day!”