Chapter 282
Chapter 282:
Dustin, feigning solace, murmured, “She’s strong—Marie will make it.” Inside, he fumed, blaming Phyllis for reckless remarks that could draw suspicion.
Nearby, a journalist covertly recorded their exchange and streamed it live. Many netizens expressed pity for Phyllis, though some grew wary.
“Phyllis’s words make Marie’s suicide attempt seem dubious. Could it be staged to ruin Gabriela’s reputation p>
“There have been similar ploys before. We should wait for the police investigation p>
But skeptics faced a fierce backlash.
“How much are you paid to spew this nonsense? Have you no conscience p>
“If you really think her suicide was an act, why don’t you gulp down poison yourself p>
The handful of netizens daring to doubt Marie were swamped with vicious attacks.
Two hours later, the emergency room’s sign dimmed, and the head doctor emerged, announcing briskly, “Good news, the patient has stabilized p>
Dustin froze for a moment as the doctor removed his mask, revealing an unfamiliar face—not the one he had paid off. Glancing aside, he caught his chosen doctor lingering nearby, giving a subtle shake of the head to urge restraint. Dustin’s sour mood began to lift; his plan had at least half succeeded. In the public eye, Gabriela was now the villain, her reputation in tatters. Wesley would surely abandon her, leaving her no choice but to crawl back to him.
𝗡𝖾w w𝖾𝗲𝗄𝘭𝗒 𝖼𝗁ар𝘵e𝗋𝗌 𝘰𝗻
The doctor, exhaling heavily, turned to Phyllis. “You’re related to Mrs. Hayes, correct p>
“I’m her daughter,” Phyllis answered quickly.
“The poison lingered in her system too long, damaging her brain and causing partial paralysis. She may be confined to a wheelchair permanently p>
Phyllis’s face drained of color. “How could this be p>
With her mother incapacitated, wouldn’t the Haynes Group slip back into Gabriela’s grasp?
The doctor expressed sympathy and directed a nurse to escort the patient to a hospital room.
Dustin, feigning tenderness, held the shattered Phyllis, a sly grin tugging at his lips. To him, Marie’s survival went against his original plan, but that changed nothing now that she was paralyzed. As long as she was out of the picture, the Haynes Group would be within his reach.
Marie, half-immobile, awoke in a frenzy, shrieking curses. “Why did you save me? I would rather be dead than a useless wreck in a hospital bed p>
Dustin filmed her outburst and blasted it online, sparking yet another wave of buzz. Gabriela’s name became a digital curse. She was branded heartless, monstrous, and vindictive.
Furious mobs of netizens gathered outside her villa, demanding that she come out and apologize to Marie. Even Tyler and Farley were targeted by online trolls.
Farley trembled with fury. “This is absurd! Miss Haynes was clearly set up by Marie—so why is she the one being blamed p>
Tyler, equally enraged, vowed to rally his three hundred friends to confront the brainless mob.
Yet Gabriela remained composed, replaying Marie’s livestreamed suicide attempt obsessively. A calculating woman like Marie wouldn’t genuinely attempt suicide—Gabriela was certain.
Wesley, standing nearby, spoke in a grave, icy tone. “Gabriela, I’ve arranged an escort to the manor. Why not lie low there for now p>
He had his own plans to handle Marie.
“No need,” Gabriela replied, pointing at the livestream. “Watch Marie’s face when she drank the poison p>
There was something off about Marie’s stunned reaction, as if she had just realized the poison was real. This staged broadcast might be hiding a murder plot.
Wesley swiftly called Billy. “Dig into Marie’s movements over the past few days. I want every detail—every place she went and everyone she spoke to, no exceptions p>