Chapter 86
As soon as the words left her mouth, Pollock slapped Rhoda hard across the face. “What nonsense are you spouting!”
He glared at her, voice trembling with anger. “Our daughter’s just suffered a terrible accident, and now you’ve lost your mind!”
Around them, the hospital staff and other families had already begun whispering, casting blame on Jeannette, who lay unconscious in the ER, as well as on Pollock and Rhoda. It seemed everyone had taken Blanche’s side.
Loraine and Eddy, for their part, would never risk turning against Blanche in a situation like this.
If they spoke the truth now, they’d be torn apart by public outrage. Even if Jeannette survived, her reputation would be ruined, and Eddy would abandon her without a second thought.
So they kept silent. Even if they lost this child, they still had Lara.
As long as Lara was around, Eddy wouldn’t turn his back on Jeannette or on them.
Blanche, watching Rhoda take slap after slap, couldn’t help but feel a small, cold satisfaction.
A nurse appeared, her tone urgent. “The doctors are doing everything they can for the mother, but our blood supply is running low. She has a very rare blood type–AB negative. Who here has it? We need a donor, now!”
“I do!” Pollock answered instantly, rushing forward. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he spun around and pointed at Blanche. “She’s got the same blood type–take her blood for my daughter!”
“She pushed my daughter down the stairs. She owes her this much!”
In that moment, Blanche looked at Eddy. He didn’t say a word to stop them. Did he
want her to donate, too?
Loraine cut in, her voice sharp. “My daughter–in–law does have AB negative blood, but she’s not well, and she’s pregnant. She didn’t push anyone–she has nothing to
atone for!”
“One donor is enough. Come with me, quickly,” the nurse said, growing impatient.
Pollock shot Blanche a resentful glare, then hurried after the nurse with Rhoda trailing behind.
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A pair of police officers questioned everyone in turn, collected statements and reviewed the building’s security footage. Eventually, one officer announced their preliminary findings: “Jeannette dragged Blanche toward the window and tried to push her. Blanche managed to dodge, and Jeannette lost her balance and fell out herself.”
“That’s the basic outline. Given your relationships and the fact that the suspect is in critical condition, we hope you can settle this privately. If not, we’ll proceed with formal charges.” With that, the officers left the consultation room.
“I knew it,” Loraine said, wrapping an arm around Blanche. “My sweet daughter–in–law could never do something so cruel. Laney, I’ll get your discharge papers ready–we’re taking you home to rest.”
Eddy immediately put his arm around Blanche, leading her out without a single glance back at Jeannette, still lying in intensive care. Yet Blanche had seen him earlier, scrolling through his phone to contact the rare blood donor group he’d set up for her, asking them to rush to Novandria General Hospital.
He’d started that group for Blanche, just in case.
And now…
Blanche’s expression was unreadable as she walked toward the exit.
Pollock and Rhoda, stunned by the officer’s words, suddenly blocked their way.
Pollock’s face was drawn and anxious. “Laney, hate me and Ms. Doyle all you want, but Jean–she’s innocent. She’s your sister. I’m begging you, please, let’s settle this. Don’t press charges.”
“She’s lost her child–that’s punishment enough. Even if she survives, she’ll be in agony for the rest of her life. If she ends up in prison… I can’t imagine how she’d cope, she’s so young.”
Blanche felt her heart twist painfully at the sight of Pollock begging for Jeannette’s sake, his face etched with grief.
“Then tell me,” she said coldly, “were you behind the kidnapping all those years ago?”
“What?!”
Pollock’s eyes flew wide open, and he stumbled back in shock. If Rhoda hadn’t caught him, he might have collapsed on the spot.
Everyone in the room stared at Blanche in disbelief.
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Chapter 67
