Chapter 68

Them Both!

Joyce whirled around to find Arabella was the one keeping her from storming into Elissa's hospital room. "Release me this instant!"

"What exactly do you believe you'll achieve by storming in there at this moment?" Arabella's voice carried a sharp edge. "Kenny's heart has already chosen Elissa. March in there now, and you'll only invite your own humiliation."

"I refuse to let them escape unpunished! I'll destroy them both!" Joyce's voice cracked with fury as she struggled against Arabella's grip.

"Do you honestly believe you possess the power to succeed?" Arabella's stare pierced through her. "You understand Elissa's nature perfectly welL. She possesses an extraordinary talent for distorting reality to serve her purposes."

The words struck their target, and Joyce's struggles ceased. Arabella had spoken an uncomfortable truth-Elissa excelled at

manipulation.

Tears began forming in Joyce's eyes. "Then what alternative do I have? Should I simply stand here and watch them betray everything we shared?"

"I possess a method to ensure they pay a far steeper price." Arabella's tone remained unnaturally calm, as if she was discussing the weather.

Joyce's expression hardened, suspicion creeping into her voice. "Why would I place my trust in you?"

"Because we now share the same enemy."Arabella loosened her grip slightly. "Naturally,you could charge through those doors and create a scene, but consider Elissa's response.She'll paint you as the betrayer, and Kenny will support her version. You'll face suspension,perhaps expulsion."

The rage burning within Joyce began to cool as she recognized the truth in Arabella's words.

Despair crashed over her like a wave, and tears spilled down her cheeks. "What power do you claim to possess?"

"I can ensure they spend every remaining day of their lives beneath the weight of universal judgment." Each word fell from Arabella's lips with deliberate precision.

Joyce studied Arabella's face, her tears gradually stopping as her expression transformed into something cold and resolute."Very well."

Ten minutes passed before they reached a nearby cafe.

Joyce's eyes fixed warily on the masked figure seated beside Arabella. "Who is this person?"

Daisy removed her mask and met Joyce's gaze with quiet composure.

Despite their nearly identical features, Joyce recognized Daisyimmediately. Their personalities created an unmistakable contrast.

Arabella commanded attention with her presence,her expression typically frozen in cold detachment, rarely betraying inner thoughts.Daisy appeared softer, though her eyes harbored unmistakable resentment toward Joyce.

An uncomfortable sensation stirred within Joyce,but she pressed forward. "Daisy, don't hold my past treatment against me. If you hadn't attempted to seduce my boyfriend-"

"Do you still remain ignorant about the true identity of your boyfriend's thief?" Arabella's interruption sliced through the air like a blade.

Joyce's words died in her throat, and she found herself unable to meet Daisy's gaze.

"Let's address the matter directly." Arabella's voice carried an arctic chill. "You and your friends crippled Daisy by pushing her down those stairs. I need to know exactly who delivered the fatal push."

Although Arabella had conducted thorough investigations, the stairwell had lacked security cameras, leaving the truth shrouded in mystery.

"I was the one who pushed her." Joyce bit her lip, conflict warring across her features. "I believed she was tormenting Elissa,so l..."

Under Arabella's penetrating stare, Joyce could barely maintain eye contact.

"Your father received my message, didn't he?"

Arabella's question came without warning.

Joyce's head snapped up in surprise. "That message came from you? How did you obtain my father's phone number?"

"Your mother remains in the hospital, doesn't she? She hasn't regained consciousness yet."Arabella's tone suggested deeper knowledge than she revealed.

Shock registered across Joyce's face,followed by a flash of anger. "Did you orchestrate that attack? But... how could you possibly possess such power?"

"Did you assume those men in black acted independently? They answer to me as well."Arabella lifted her coffee cup with elegant composure.Her casual revelation sent tremors through Joyce's composure.

"You..." Fear crept into Joyce's eyes. "WVho are you really?"

"I am Arabella, Daisy's elder sister."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it! Just tell me the truth-who's your wealthy patron?"Joyce's gaze turned contemptuous once more.

"Elissa fed you that story, didn't she? She also promised to eliminate me personally?"Arabella's words struck with surgical precision.

Joyce's body trembled slightly. "Have you been monitoring our conversations?"

"Elissa desired my destruction, but observe her current condition." Arabella's voice carried quiet satisfaction.

The image of Elissa lying in her hospital bed flashed through Joyce's mind.

So Elissa had already attempted to strike?

As Joyce studied the elegant, beautiful woman seated across from her, ice seemed to flow through her veins.

"Don't worry. I brought you here to offer an opportunity." Arabella leaned forward and whispered several sentences into Joyce's ear.

Joyce listened, and terror seized her heart.

What manner of monster had she messed with?

When Joyce departed, her movements carried the unsteady quality of someone walking

through a dream.

Daisy immediately turned toward Arabella with concern. "Did Elissa actually attempt to harm you?"

"She did, but don't let worry consume you.As you can see,I emerged completely unscathed,"Arabella's response carried gentle reassurance.

But Daisy's expression darkened with anger."Shouldn't you have shared this information with me immediately? Do you truly consider me so unworthy of your trust?"