Chapter 4

###Chapter 4

"AI is so advanced these days. Did you really think refusing would make any difference?" Hector's lips curled into a cold smile.

"I used the most advanced AI technology available. Even experts might not be able to spot the flaws."

On the screen, "Mom" knelt before the camera, wiping away her tears with a look of deep remorse.

"I was jealous of Ms. Kendall Meyer because she was beautiful and capable. I was afraid she would take my daughter's place as Mrs. Miranda, so I encouraged Beatrice to photoshop those bed photos and spread the rumors about her."

"I even paid someone to steal a corpse, mutilate it, disguise it as me, and frame Ms. Meyer for everything..."

"I am shameless and despicable! I caused Ms. Meyer irreparable harm! I sincerely apologize. Please, I beg you, forgive my daughter and me."

The next second, "Mom" dropped to her knees before the camera and began desperately banging her head against the floor.

My eyes burned with rage.

Hector knew exactly how kind and honest my mother had been, yet he had turned her into a shameless, despicable woman.

Even after death, he refused to leave her with the slightest shred of dignity.

I screamed and lunged for his phone. "Hector, you're slandering my mother! You and Kendall are both vile!"

Hector snatched the phone away and forcibly pushed me back onto the bed.

Seeing my swollen, reddened eyes, something in his chest seemed to tighten. His voice softened as he coaxed, "I'll have the video released tomorrow morning. Once this is settled, we'll finally have our wedding. You'll always be my Mrs. Miranda."

There was nothing left in my heart but grief and fury, surging like a tide.

I screamed at him. "I don't want it! Hector, there will never be a wedding between us!"

I ripped the bracelet from my wrist and hurled it at him. The gemstones set into the bracelet slashed across his face, leaving a bloody cut.

A flash of fury crossed his eyes.

Suddenly, his assistant rushed into the room in a panic.

"Mr. Miranda, something's wrong! Secretary Meyer is trying to slit her wrists. You need to go to the room next door!"

Hector froze. Then he bent down, picked up the bracelet, and looked at me with visible exhaustion.

"Stop making a fuss. I'm going to check on Kendall. Stay here and behave yourself."

With that, he hurried out.

Once his footsteps faded, I pulled out the IV needle and staggered off the bed like a wandering ghost.

I wanted to leave, only to discover that the door had been locked from the outside.

A helpless sense of despair swept through me. I fumbled for my phone and called an old university friend.

"Senior Brother Olson, you're one of the top experts in the AI field. I need you to help me with something tomorrow morning..."

After hearing my tearful account, Senior Brother Olson immediately assured me, "Don't worry, Beatrice. I'll clear your mother's name. I'll make sure everyone sees those two for what they really are!"

I thanked him, then I called my professor with trembling hands.

"Professor, can you send someone to pick me up? Hector has locked me inside Central Hospital. I'm in Room 4015, Area A."

My professor's gentle yet reassuring voice came through the phone. "Okay, Beatrice. Don't be afraid. I'll arrange for someone to come get you right away."

After hanging up, the overwhelming grief and the pain from my injuries finally became too much. I curled up at the head of the bed and drifted into an exhausted sleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I vaguely heard the heavy breathing of a man and a woman.

"Kendall, stop. Beatrice is still here."

"Don't you think it's more exciting when she can hear us?"

Under the faint moonlight, Hector glanced toward my bed. Seeing that I hadn't moved, he seemed reassured.

I fought back the nausea rising in my stomach and bit down hard on my lip.

The two of them continued for what felt like an eternity before finally stopping.

Hector walked over.

In the darkness, he let out a sigh before putting the bracelet back onto my wrist.

"Beatrice, you were the one who chased after me back then. Don't even dream of leaving me in this lifetime. I love you, baby."

Then he picked up the languid Kendall from the sofa and carried her out.

I leaned over the side of the bed and vomited until there was nothing left in my stomach.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. "Madam, are you there? I'm here to get you out!"

It was Lewis, the bodyguard Hector had left behind to guard me.

I quickly answered in a low voice. "I'm here."

"I really can't stand watching you suffer like this." Lewis secretly unlocked the door for me.

"But Mr. Miranda has your phone location being tracked. Let me disable it first."

Grateful, I handed him my phone. But just as Lewis tapped the screen a few times, Hector's furious voice suddenly came from the doorway.

"Kendall really wasn't lying to me. You were planning to escape from me!"